How serious is prescription drug abuse?

I was at a friends house this weekend and she had her online prescription account open on her computer and I was able to see her most recent orders. Why she had this up, I don't know, but I could tell she was on something. I have known for a while that most likely she was abusing drugs, but never had real solid proof. Within the last 7 days she received prescriptions for Xanax, some sort of seizure medication, adderrall, 2 diff orders of hydrocodone, Somas, weight lose pills (she is not fat by any means) and sleeping pills. Now in my mind, I really don't see one doctor prescribing all of these to one person. She picked up all of these from 4 different pharmacies. Can't she end up killing herself from this?!?!?!? She is currently in the process of a divorce with 2 children. If her ex finds out, he could take them away from her right? I have never really been around drugs or anyone that takes them and I am shocked at her need for all of this, especially with 2 little kids. I don't even know where all this started from or who would have got her involved in all of this. Is there anything I can do for her? I know they say people can only help themselves, but is there anything that I can do? I overheard some other friends mention something about her possibly being on crack. She is spiraling downhill so fast and I don't even know where to start to help fix this all

Prescription drug abuse is just as bad as any other drug or alcohol abuse. Sometimes people rationalize it. They think because a doctor has prescribed it, they need it. You should sit down with your friend and have a serious discussion. Let her be aware of your concerns, but do not attack her or be condescending.

You can't fix other people's problems, but she may seek help if she finds out that other people are aware of what is going on.

Prescription drug abuse is serious and bad. It may not seem like such a known or thought about abuse because its drugs that were prescribed by a doctor. People don't realize that just as any other drugs, prescription medication can also be addicting because of how chemicals react and how a person feels. Some people abuse prescription drugs because it makes them feel good, or it may make a person feel confident about other things. My mother is someone who is addicted to Somas and she will not stop no matter how many times I have tried asking her. Prescription drug abuse can have the same results as drug or alcohol abuse, it can cause one's family to have a rift in their relationship and other bad things.

I don't know if there is anything you can really do to fix what is happening to your friend, if she does not want the help or feel that it is a problem then there is no way around it right now. There can be things that drove her to the point of doing prescription drugs, possibly too much stress.

you can't fix your friends problem, only she can fix it. it probably has something to do with her divorce. she most likely got all the prescriptions of different doctors that don't know she has seen other doctors and been getting prescriptionss from them also. should her ex- husband find out about all of this this then she could lose her children permanently without even visitation rights. depends on state you live and how a particular judge feels about prescription abuse. if you really want to try and help her be there with her and leet her know that if there is anything that you can do to help her, even a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to that you are very good at both. and PLEASE whatever you do don't come through as being judgemental or know it all, that will only hurt an already fragile situation.

Of course people abuse prescription drugs. Someone at work keeps stealing my Xanax. And yes it is very dangerous. These drugs are prescribed by doctors that know our physical weakness's, weight and height and any other meds we're on. No, a doctor would not perscribe that many meds. to one person.
You need to talk to her about it. See if she is willing to go to a counselor for help instead of her medicine cabinet.
You might want to also find out if she is selling these drugs. They are worth a lot of money on the street.
But most of all it sounds as if your friend needs help. So, be a friend to her and talk to her about it.

It isn't your place to try to fix her. Yes, she could end up sick or dead because of this. Tell her you are concerned. Be prepared to back off, she might tell you to mind you own business.

If you are close enough, I would definitely reccommend you trying to talk to her about it. But please, not in a damning or confrontational way as that could cause her to become defensive or push you away.

Honestly, the best you can do is try to steer your friend away. If you push too hard she'll come back with the "you're not my parent" bit. If you go to her parents, she'll be mad at you. The reality is the situation is just tough all around.

This. Tell her you are concerned and thay you don't want her to run into any trouble but above all, be careful not to nag her about this.

Everyone here gave you good pieces of advice so I hope you heed them well. Know that you are not salvador del mundo so even the best laid out plans can go awry. You are wonderful because of your compassionate heart but take what everyone said with a grain of salt. Be kind for as long as possible while extending a helping hand to your friend.

Being addicted to anything such as prescription drugs is really serious. She should know or aware about the consequences or dangers of mixing or consuming those prescription drugs together. maybe you can try to tell your concerns on her if you are close to her.

It is very serious. They are some of the easiest drugs to get. They give you highs that no other drugs can match. Also many people don't understand just how dangerous they are until something fatal happens to someone they know.

Prescription drug abuse is just as serious as an other kind of drug abuse. Prescription drugs can cause overdoses just like heroin. Micheal Jackson died form prescription drugs. Some people have a hard time getting off pain killers. Prescription Drugs shouldn't be underestimated.

I think prescription drug use is quickly becoming the worse drug problem we've ever had. You wouldn't believe how many normal, day-to-day people, abuse prescription drugs. Most don't even know they're abusing drugs, and don't see it that way at all since it's not a street drug. The harder opiate prescription pills, like Oxycottin, has destroyed more lives than I'd like to see in one lifetime.

Prescription drugs can be lethal, and from the looks of it she is taking very large doses. What I would recommend is telling her husband about it. Make sure that he is aware, so that he can get her the help she needs.

Every day, Several people in the United States and around the world are being seriously injured by side effects of dangerous prescription drugs. For many, this is the only way to cure some illnesses for others an addiction to a harmful substance. Although, prescription drugs have side effects, they can be really helpful to people who really need them. In the other hand, for those who don't need them they can be a extremely dangerous. Thus, if you don't need it don't use it! stay safe stay alive !

My husbands drug of choice was prescription pain pills. He is thankfully clean from them and has been for a very long time, but the addiction to them is horrible. A person actively using will lie, cheat, steal and whatever they can do to obtain the drug. So your friend is doing what they call "Doctor Shopping" and when she gets caught she will go to jail. She needs an intervention but I know that if she doesn't want to stop she will not. There is not anything you can do for her. Maybe express your concern to her but she will likely deny there is any problem.

I can tell you that I doctor shopped to get my narcotics. And you have no idea how easy it was. Then, twice, I went to urgent care and the doctor took two minutes to look up my med history. As soon as they saw I had been prescribed narcotics by 30 different doctors they said hell no.
All it takes is two minutes for a doctor to look up someones medication history. I know its my responsibility to tell the doc I am an addict, but I strongly believe that doctors have an ethical requirement to look up medication history, especially since narcotic pain medication abuse has become an epidemic.