>"She's almost 70. Retired military. Major back surgeries.
>Medically discharged from the service and has a handicap
>placard on the car. In no way could she be considered an
>addict.">
>I'm certainly not referring to your mom specifically. But the
>last line of this quote is a huge red flag. You're falling
>into the trap of only seeing addiction where it fits the
>stereotype of what we think addicts are like. But that's the
>exact problem with this epidemic. People think there's no
>problem cause someone doesn't look like a street heroin user
>with no career credentials and bags under their eyes.

I know her particular situation and that's why I don't think she's anywhere near or in danger of being an addict. In her case I know she does not take the pills unless/until there is significant pain - and when there is pain that isn't severe she has other - non opioid drugs that she takes.

She also isn't prone to addiction - she pretty much stopped drinking once she got in her mid 30's and she doesn't seek those kind of thrills.

Also she had her first major back surgery in 1983 and I would have noticed if there is a proble over the past 33 years.

Unless she's so high functioning that it doesn't matter if she is an addict (she is not.)



>I completely agree with this though:
>
>"I'd error on the side of letting someone without pain get
>high - not by having someone in pain stay suffering."
>
>Amen to that.