If your mom has had a medical reason to be so medicated and is now recovered it would not be unusual for a doc to use other meds to wean her off. However if she is taking more than is prescribed then there is a problem. Vicodin is an "as needed" med. Not intended for long term use for chronic pain. Usually just for a week or so after a surgery or injury. It is also HIGHLY addictive, for anybody, even a nurse. You just seem like a concerned daughter and I can't blame you. SHe really should not be taking high doses. The Duragesic is used for long term pain management and then sometimes docs will toss in a couple of Vicodin for breakthru pain. Excessive use of Vicodin can lead to severe Liver damage which I am sure she is aware. Sorry, but like you it just doesn't add up. Hope you are able to discuss this with her and IF she has a problem, will get help for it. Especially if she is currently working as a nurse. Good Luck!
--J
It's all dependent on what alot is. Is it alot based on what she has been prescribed or is it that you just feel like it's alot? I took both fiorocette 3 (a barbituate mixed with codeine) and oxycodone regularly for 3 year up until about a year ago. When I weaned off, I took the regular doses for about 3 weeks and then tapered off. It took about a 1.5 months to do. If your mom is not tapering off and is taking more then prescribed, maybe a conversation with her dr. is in order. He won't be able to discuss her treatment with you because of HIPPA laws but he would at least have a seed planted. For her to think she is involnurable as a nurse is naive. A hospital I worked at in Michigan lost one of it's drs because she was writing vicodine prescriptions to herself. She spent a year in jail plus who knows what else. I'm not saying your mother is in a similar situation but it definately happens.
Good luck. I hope it works out for your mother.