I have a coworker/friend who has had a history of opiate abuse. Her most recent episode was about a year and a half ago. Having a father who was an addict, I understood the struggle she was going through and was very supportive of her during this time--bearing more of her workload, and providing little "happys" to celebrate little milestones the days following her decision to come "clean," listened when she wanted to talk, left her alone when she didn't want to talk to anyone--I also kept her secret. Her doctor also prescribed Klonopin to help with the withdrawals in very controlled doses. It was tough, but she made it through. She had energy to actually "live." She started losing weight, her financial difficulties started to work themselves out, she became more hopeful as opposed to the eternal pessimist she had been previously; she had a twinkle in her eye again. She was terrified when she took her last dose of Klonopin because she didn't know how she would manage. Again, she made it through. I was so proud of her and she was proud of herself, too.

Approx. 6 months later, her doctor relocated and she had to find a new doctor. After her initial visit, she mentioned that the new doctor gave her a new prescription of Klonopin. She and I talked about this highly addictive drug that she used to kick her opiate addiction and couldn't figure out why he gave it to her. She said that she thought the same thing and assumed they saw it on her chart and included it in her new "monthlys" under the new doctor. I asked if she bothered to ask the doctor about it or if he bothered to talk to her about it, and of course the answer was no. She has been taking Klonopin regularly for over a year now in addition to her other medications--Adderall, Ambien, and Lexapro for sure, possibly others. She ALWAYS runs out of her medications about a week before the refill date--of course I don't mean a week before the 30 day prescription runs out, I mean a week before you can legally have it filled again--after 75% of the dose has passed or whatever the laws is so I guess she uses her 30 day supply in about 16-18 days of each of the drugs mentioned above--except Lexapro--for some reason she forgets to take it everyday or so she says--perhaps she says that to offer an excuse for her "moods." (?)

I have started to see the same symptoms from over a year ago. Irritability, something hurting all of the time, no sleep at night, CONSTANT yawning, regular headaches/migraines, heightened emotions--lot's of crying, and routine visits to the after hours clinic for some pain related illness--back, wrist, knee, etc.

I think you already know what my question is and perhaps, I already know the answer. I tried to talk to her about my suspicions last week after she "hurt her back." The after hours doctor gave her muscle relaxers for bedtime, but of course she took one as soon as she filled the prescription the next morning on her way to work. She was completely high at work, and when I offered to drive her home she became very agitated. She eventually went home early and called in the next day saying she was going to go back to the doctor to get something for "day time" use. She came in Monday telling everyone how unfair the drug laws were because they did not give her the medication she "needed" since she had been in the day before--not enough time had passed or something like that?? She went home Monday night--aside from her earlier rant, it was a fairly uneventful day. While at home, she fell and broke her wrist. One of the first things she said to me during the phone call the next morning was, "I've got some awesome pills now!"

I don't know if I am reading too much into this or what. However, I am to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if she intentionally "hurt" herself to get meds. I don't know that she planned to break her wrist necessarily, but I think she could have intentionally caused something to happen in hopes that she could return to the doctor and have a legitimate excuse for a prescription.

I am quickly losing my patience with her and as her direct supervisor, I have kept things very quiet around our office. However, there is some whispering going on and people are starting to put 2 and 2 together. I want to help my friend, but I don't know what to do. I am concerned that something terrible is going to have to happen before she can see it. Then, it may be too late.