Help for my older sister!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister is 45 years old and addicted to 60 mg/day of morphine and she takes 3 tablets per day of percacet(don't know how to spell it-sorry). She just confessed this to me. I knew she was on something for years-but my other sister and me where not sure. We have tried to help her for years. She told me she washes it down with vodka and cranberry juice.She is a heavy drinker as well. She drinks daily and her hands shake alot. I don't know what to do. Is she is extreme danger? How can I help her?

[vicki595]

Does your sister want help?  Yes,she's in danger so it would be great if you and your other sister express your concerns.  Ask her if she wants help. It would be a start...

[Jaybay]

Yes, your sister is in big trouble.  Mixing alochol with opiates is like playing Russian roulette.  She's survived this long so now she thinks she's invincible.  Just one pill or one drink too many and she may not wake up.  The shaking hands are mostly from the alcohol abuse.  My husband did the same thing.

When your sister confessed, did she ask for help?  You say you've tried to "help" her for years.  The sad truth is that she is the only one who can help herself.  She needs professional help to safely detox and emotional support with an addictionologist or a free group like AA or NA to stay sober.  If she wants it bad enough, she'll do it.  If she's open to rehab, you can help her find a place and that's about all you can do.  

Meanwhile, I suggest you go to an Al-anon meeting and get some education about addiction and support for yourself.  There are also online groups for family and friends of addicts and alcoholics, but the personal touch seems to work a whole lot better.  Living with and loving an addict is dam difficult.  It's OK to still love the person but hate the addiction.  Try not to let her problem take over your life.  Nobody deserves to be held hostage to an active addict.