Is my mother addicted to lortab?

[sunnygmp]

Hi, my mother has had a prescription for lortab for a few years now, due to back pain.  About a year ago, there was a huge family crisis and my mother became very depressed.  Very suddenly, about 8 months ago, her personality and behavior changed drastically (I live on the east coast while she lives on the west coast, so I've been trying to solve this mystery from a distance).  When I speak to her on the phone, she speaks in a very sing-songy voice, her speech is very sluggish and often slurred, she has trouble understanding basic concepts, and in general she just doesn't "get" most of the things I say to her.  Moreover, she insists that there's nothing wrong with her and she's totally fine (she was just forced to retire from her job of over 20 years, which she used to excel at, because people thought she was showing up to work drunk and she stopped completing any of her assignments).  

My first thought was that she had a stroke.  After much pleading and cajoling on my part, I finally got her to agree to have an MRI (this was about 6 months ago).  They found absolutely nothing abnormal about her brain that would indicate a stroke (I heard this from her doctor so at least this is not another lie she's telling me).  She's also a little young (65 years old) to have an onset of Alzheimer's.  Also, the transition in behavior was a little too sudden to indicate Alzheimer's and I believe that an MRI may also have indicated Alzheimer's.  

My question is, could her symptoms indicate Loritab addiction?  I really appreciate the help.

[FLaddict]

Muscle relaxers can cause slurred speach like a mix of pain meds and soma could definately cause it.

[IBKleen]

Again, I thought of the drinking because of the slurred speech. Yes, it could be a combination. I am certain that you mix strong pain meds like Lortab, with alcohol, the effect would be one like you described. Good question retiredm..does she take any other meds? For blood pressure? Anything?

I am so glad you are asking. I get the feeling that you want to approach her. If that is the case, you should be armed with as much information as you can.

[retiredrn]

Does she take any other medication, like anti anxiety meds?

[sunnygmp]

My mother never used to be a big drinker.  However, I got married over labor day weekend and during the 5 day period that I spent with her, she was drinking A LOT.  However, her sluggish speech and problems understanding what was going on around her were present first thing in the morning, when she couldn't have possibly had anything to drink for quite a few hours.  I was thinking that maybe some effect was due to the pain meds plus the periods of excessive drinking (??).  Is this possible.  Also, wouldn't she have a hangover at some point if she was drinking to that much excess all the time?  I feel like I should be able to pinpoint the symptoms of drug use or alcoholism but I guess I'm kind of at a loss.  Again, I really appreciate the help.

[IBKleen]

Hi and Welcome!

I have a question...Does you rmother drink? The slugish speech doesn't sound to me like drug abuse, not from pain meds anyway.

Is the drinking possible?