[alaska49]

I wanted to write and see if anyone has ha the issue of pople taking your meds mainly the opiods whether family or friends. I found out my brother for the past few weeks have been taking my demerol which is all I take for pain as I am allergic to every other opiod and now am 4 days short and will have to go through those days without anything and dont know what to do.

What do I say to him or confront him about this. I am horrible with confrontation and dont know what to do but he is playing with my health as I need those meds to have a life. I do take ketamine nassal spray and lossanges but its not the same. I had thought I was missing meds a few days ago but thought as I go through these days where I dont remember but then I went to bed and came out and all of them were gone and in its place he put another med. I cant believe he would think I am that stupid I have been taking demerol for 5 years now and know what they look like and the meds in its place were bigger and the inscription was defiled so I cant see what it is, I believe its my prednisone for my sarcoidosis but he shoulds know if I take more that can hurt me even more as I am taking a med that if I take more steroids they counter act each other. This just makes me mad but sad at the same time that he could do something like this to his own sister, who could end up in the hospital if going without the meds put me in a bad flare. My mom is upset also but too doesnt know what to do or say as he is already at the point of suicide due to miss treatment by my father and grandparents.

Any help would be great!

[birchlake]

Ignoring this would be absolutely the worst thing you can do.

In my opinion, you have two action items here.

First, you need to keep your meds where ONLY you can get at them. You cannot and should not leave your meds out knowing that your brother is taking them. Not good for you and not good for him. Those meds are prescribed to you and you alone.

Secondly, it sounds like your brother is very likely addicted to pain medication and if so, he needs professional help, which is even more necessary because of the abusive relationships he has/is experiencing. Someone in your family should talk to him about this in a non-confrontational manner; it can be done. It doesn't have to be done by you if you are uncomfortable with the discussion. Search on the web for tips about how to handle this (I've included a few links below; there are hundreds of web related resources) or talk to your doctor, psychologist, clergy etc. for help in this. Your brother needs help with this; most people cannot deal with addiction on their own.

http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/whatcanisay.page

http://www.drug-addiction-support.or...on-family.html

http://www.drugalcoholaddictionrecovery.com/?p=107

[alt1268]

This does not sound like an easy task, but I agree with birchlake, you must hide your medications, even if its under your mattress. You should confront your brother letting him get away with it is not the answer. Yes he will become defensive, but ignoring makes him think he can get away with it and he maybe trying it with others.
If you don't confront him, eventually he will get arrested from stealing or breaking in some place to get his fix. He may not be ready for help but he definitely needs some one to confront him.

[Jomar]

Many members on some of the other forms here have mentioned getting a medical lock box or even a little safe , if you can't find a good hiding place for the main Rx bottles.

Hide or lock away the pill containers and only keep what you need for a day on your person or close easy to access in a hiding place.

Sounds like brother needs some intervention /counseling of some sort, but you must keep your meds safe from theft of any kind.

I don't know if confront is the best word , but a calm talk & explaining how missing meds will hurt you physically with withdrawals, and possibly cause problems with refills if it happens often.

If he is at suicide risk, he may be stock piling the meds and not for use as day to day high...

You may have to mention possible legal action if he denies or gets angry.
Sometimes it is the call that does help to get a loved one the help they need.
may need an family intervention...of some sort and request/demand he goes to counseling.
our Survivors of Suicide forum would be a place to find more help on that subject.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum29.html
We also have some Mental Health forums at the bottom of the main page, that might be helpful for your brother.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/index.php

[Abbie]

Since my family has numerous teenage and young adults.... I keep ALL of my meds in a small safe that has a combination and a key lock.

It is out of visual sight and I have a key and the spare is in the safe @ my parents.

I have one of those weekly pill dispensers that is hidden out of sight in my room and when it's time to refill I make sure no one is around and go to the safe... fill the pill dispenser and then lock everything up.

As far as your brother goes...That is going to be a hard situation. I take it that right now he is not aware that you and your parents (or at least your mom) know he has been taking your demerol?!?!

Since he is taking your prescribed medicines... there is a strong possibility that this is not the only drug that he is doing.

He does need help.... tough love. He is not going to like it when you do lock up your meds... I'm afraid just hiding them is not going to work...I'm afraid he will go through everything in your room or even the house to find the pain medicine.

If this keeps up, I hate to say this but you may have to call the police. You can always ask to have an officer come out to talk with so you can find out your options. People do this all of the time. They can help you find out if he needs to go to a rehab program or worst case jail. Please know... police officers do want to help.... jail is usually not their first option.

I sincerely wish you the best... this can not be easy for you or your family.


Abbie