Expert: Peter L. - 11/29/2010

Question
I am in a family of six. Five kids, one mom.  No father.  Everyone of the kids in my family have walked in on my mom snorting pills in her bathroom multiple times a day.  We hear her snorting when we sit in other rooms.  She's got tons of empty pill bottles hidden in a drawer. Oxycod and Oxycodone are the main ones.  In her history on her computer, she's looked up Percocet withdrawls and treatments. The other night, she told us kids to go to the gas station... she got a call a few minutes later, and said she would "meet you down town" We followed her. She stopped at the bank and then met someone.  Her pupils are always pin point sized.  I'm very worried but don't know what to do.  My brothers and sisters say I need to sit back and watch, because we can't help.  Also, she's getting half her pills in my name, from my doctor!!! so she's getting pills from her doctor, mine and off the street.  Please help me.  

Answer
Hi Dallas,

This is a very tough situation and I'm glad you are looking to find a solution.  

You no doubt can see she has a very serious addiction, and it is to the class of drugs we call opioids.  She needs to get help soon, but may resist doing that, as addicts often do.

Do you have any relatives nearby whom you can speak to?  If you are in school, do you have a substance abuse professional or counselor you can speak to?  If you feel you and your siblings are in danger, I would recommend you contact your local family services agency right away. Your local police department might know the number if you can't find it.  These are state agencies typically known as the Division of Youth and Family Services. You may also want to speak to your doctor about what's happening, as she is getting them illicitly in your name.  

You may write me back after you pursue a course of action, and I may be able to help further.

Good luck,
Peter