So, we've got an issue that we've never experienced before and never thought we would and I'm wondering if any other RRSers have dealt with this.
It's been a difficult year for our family with the loss of family members and pets too. One of my extended family members has developed a problem that started from some medication he got legitimately from his doctor but spiraled into a problem.
The good thing, if there is one, is that he knows he has a problem (we found out because I found him at his place in withdrawal several months ago; he first said he had the flu but eventually fessed up after I asked a few probing questions.). I thought he had gotten off of them over the past couple of months because he told me he'd seen another doctor that put him on a drug that is supposed to act as a replacement allowing him to taper off, so I thought it was behind us and he had conquered the problem. Today I found him in withdrawal again, crying and in a dark place. He doesn't know what to do and is scared, and I'm scared he's going to become another statistic. I tried to talk him into going straight to a rehab place, but he has a very good high paying job and is concerned what it will mean if he suddenly disappears for 10 days (he's been there less than a year, so apparently FMLA and laws like that aren't applicable).
This is professional, first class guy who basically started getting in trouble when he realized taking the pills took his mind away from losing loved ones. You'd never suspect he had a problem like this, which just tells me there are probably lots of people out there we'd never suspect who are in the same predicament. I've taken these types of pain meds for my back and can understand why people get hooked, but I never thought it would hit this close to home. I love the guy and want to do the right thing; I want him to get help but I understand the concern about losing a job that will be next to impossible to replace. But at the end of the day his life is more important than any job, no matter how good.
I'm interested to see if anyone has been through anything similar and has any suggestions. Thanks.
It's been a difficult year for our family with the loss of family members and pets too. One of my extended family members has developed a problem that started from some medication he got legitimately from his doctor but spiraled into a problem.
The good thing, if there is one, is that he knows he has a problem (we found out because I found him at his place in withdrawal several months ago; he first said he had the flu but eventually fessed up after I asked a few probing questions.). I thought he had gotten off of them over the past couple of months because he told me he'd seen another doctor that put him on a drug that is supposed to act as a replacement allowing him to taper off, so I thought it was behind us and he had conquered the problem. Today I found him in withdrawal again, crying and in a dark place. He doesn't know what to do and is scared, and I'm scared he's going to become another statistic. I tried to talk him into going straight to a rehab place, but he has a very good high paying job and is concerned what it will mean if he suddenly disappears for 10 days (he's been there less than a year, so apparently FMLA and laws like that aren't applicable).
This is professional, first class guy who basically started getting in trouble when he realized taking the pills took his mind away from losing loved ones. You'd never suspect he had a problem like this, which just tells me there are probably lots of people out there we'd never suspect who are in the same predicament. I've taken these types of pain meds for my back and can understand why people get hooked, but I never thought it would hit this close to home. I love the guy and want to do the right thing; I want him to get help but I understand the concern about losing a job that will be next to impossible to replace. But at the end of the day his life is more important than any job, no matter how good.
I'm interested to see if anyone has been through anything similar and has any suggestions. Thanks.
