Stealing?

[Addey]

Hi everyone,
  I'm not sure if this is the place to come to but i've been reading over posts for a few hours now and decided to give it a shot.  A couple weeks ago my bottle of prescription percocet went missing.  I couldn't remember if I had left it on my car and maybe it fell out, or it was in my room and a moved it?  ANyway, I didn't really get too upset because I hadn't needed it. I had a lithotripsy done for kidney stones and received 60 percocet after the shock therapy.  The pain wasn't bad and I mentioned this to one of my closest friends. I went to visit my parents at their house and my mom was on the couch with one of her awful migraines.  She is always taking advil etc and i automatically offered her my percocet.  I looked in my purse, it's not there, in the car, not there, in my house, not there.  Yesterday, my friend came over to my house to watch a movie and put her purse on the stairs.  As i was walking down the stairs, my foot got caught on the strap and everything fell out.  I started picking it up and replacing it in the bag apologizing profusely.  She came over running saying she'd take care of it.  As i picked up the pills and casually asked what she was taking i glanced at the bottle and it had MY NAME ON IT!!!!!  I acted like i didn't see but i was so unnerved the rest of the time I started shaking.  She ended up leaving saying she forgot to lock the door.  I don't think she knows I saw what' on the bottle but i don't know what to do.? Did she steal it or did it just somehow get there? AM i crazy? Maybe she found them and forgot to tell me? But than wouldn't she have told me? Please help.  

[mshell62]

It sounds like you take great pride in your new condominium.  Painting and fixing it up just right.  An addict will steal ANYTHING from someone.  If you have nice things, you may want to keep an eye on them.  Like it was said earlier, dont underestimate an addict.  And you sound super nice.  A great victim.  

But you are VERY SMART to look for some advice.  Good for you.  

Have fun with your condo!

[Mis Take]

Good for you for talking to her - she needs to hear it.  I just wanted to say, be careful and choose your words carefully when you talk to her next.  in my opinion and based on my experience, When she gets on the defensive - the drugs are the #1 priority (and your friendship becomes expendable).  You didn't say or I don't remember you saying how close the two of you  are.  If it is a valued friendship, just know that she will lie and steal to get what she needs and what her body must have (if she is to that point).  I learned during my detox and subsequent recovery (still there a year later and always will be) - that opiates take away the part of the brain that needs and wants intamacy (not sex but love, true frienship, deep and meaningful conversation and confiding in someone else.  The addict needs himself and the drug - that's it!!  IT's not personal, more chemical, I guess.  Anyway, Im telling you this so when you talk to her again or if you talk to her boyfriend that you know - she will run if she feels pressured or pushed into a corner.  She needs understanding (even if you dont) and not to be judged (even if you do).  She needs to feel like you care and want to help and mostly that you will keep her secret (for now) from anyone who could get in the way (even if you won't).  That is the only way I think she would open up and you will REALLY be able to help her.  Please let her know that there are options out there  - ones that are better than she thinks.  Then do some research - there are many options available and she can do this and has to in order to live normally and survive.  If she is to the stealing and lying point - I believe she is to the point of needing real help   I hope I didnt cross the line in telling you all of this - I would just hate for you to loose a good friend because of the words you chose.  I lost too many and even now - won't go back and fix those that are broken.  It is just too much work at this time.  Good luck with her and you - I'll be praying for her complete turnaround.
Miss Take

[LQQKThrewU]

How terrible a situation you are in, my thoughts to you. We addicts are liars,we do what we have to in order to get our fix. I also feel bad for her because she is probably not ready to deal with her addiction. Just know that none of this is your fault and what you did was right. Maybe write her a letter so she can read it and absorb the facts and the possibility of your understanding. It will be tough for her because it is hard for anyone to accept something like this. We make excuses and try to convince ourselves. Good luck and keep posting maybe you can suggest to her to come online and seek help.

[enemy48]

Stealing from your friend is hard to admit.

I believe you when you say Your Name was on the bottle.

Well, at least she admitted that she has a problem.  Addicts are always on the look out for someone in tooth pain, back pain, or any pain where they know people may have these meds, and they can either swipe some, all, or ask if they don't need the pills anymore..

You never said if you saw both your name & the prescription you had.  Did you see both?  I think you must have, b/c what else would your name be on?  We all spot our names whenever seen it written anywhere.  You didn't imagine this.

If you're sure it was "the pills" & your name, I think your frind is too ashamed to admit that she stole from a trusted friend.

[IBKleen]

Oh hun, I am so sorry. She needs help. It is sad, but unless she reaches out, she will not get it. She is probably at the beginning of a long addiction.

I just want you to understand, that you cannot force her, or make her get help. She has to WANT it. But, you did plant the seed. You did the right thing.

Listen, if nothing else, stay here and read through these posts. You will learn a lot.

It is late and I am so tired, so I am off to bed. Please post again. I would like to help in any way I can, and so would many others here.

Take care of yourself.

[Addey]

oops..sorry...well I just got back from my friends and i finally confronted her.  My hands are still shaking so bad i can barely type. It was awful.  She somehow had a way of making me feel crazy.  And i kept stuttering cuz i didn't know how to approach her punches.  She denies taking the pills but admits to having a problem.  When I told her I saw my name on the bottle that fell out of her purse she said that it was impossible....I swear i'm not crazy...I DID SEE MY NAME!! We didn't really talk about options becuase I don't even know where to start as far as getting her help....any advice would be wonderful...Addey