Tourettes Syndrome or drug addiction?

[Alice5523]

A 44 year old, female friend of mine is showing symptoms such as legs jerking, high anxiety, cries easily, is emotional, frequently cannot answer direct questions, dry mouth, sleeplessness, unable to carry on a conversation, clumsy..She tells me she has Tourettes Syndrome, but the reading I have done on the disease does not seem to match.  I am suspecting she is really addicted to vicodin, a drug I know she misused earlier this year.  She told me she paid a lady $800.00 and that lady gave her something that caused her not to be addicted to vicodin anymore.  1.  Has anyone heard of such a thing? 2.  In addition, does anyone know if the symptoms I described above are typical of vicodin withdrawal? 3.  Lastly, is there such a thing as a home drug test for vicodin?

She has been known to frequent emergency rooms and has been prescribed several different medications for "calming effect" - because her shaking is so bad. He shaking is in her legs only.  I have asked her about a rx drug addiction and she denies it. Duh I guess.

[LIZZIE LOU]

i would think that if she has tourettes that she would be on meds. specifically for that.   ask her what is the name of the drug she takes for the tourettes.

her symptoms are indicative of someone withdrawing from drugs.

kim

[dfr3]

drug addicts are wonderful liars.  Do you want to help this person, or just find out.  AS an addict i can tell you it is not an easy road i wish to god i had some one to help me thru the withdrawls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  if you go to her and open the door and let her know she has you she may open up.  but at least share this site with her, there are people  here who can help her!!!!
If you are a true friend open the door but she must walk in!!!!

[Alice5523]

She has taken 2 different meds for "tourettes". The current one is clonidine, and she took trazadone before that.  I picked her up from an ER 2 nights ago (3 in the morning) and when I heard the nurse was going to give her 2 vicodin, I told my friend I didn't think she should be taking that, and she begged me not to tell them.  Sometimes the Tourettes seems so real, and other times her stories and bizarre events point to addiction. I have asked her and she has denied any addiction.  I just don't know for sure. I do want to help her, I have offered her to come live with me, help with her 2 sons, pay bills, gas money...she hasnt worked in 10 months and is supposed to start back at her old job Monday.  I just dont know what to make of it.