What are some lingering questions you have?

Appreciate you opening up about your situation here. As with any of these types of situations, it certainly sounds complex and there probably is not one-size-fits-all approach. But I will say that it's pretty clear how much you care about your girlfriend. With the different health conditions she is facing, that must be really difficult since you are trying to help but it's hard to have those conversations with her. It does make sense that her reasoning and life skills have been impacted, especially with this more long-term use. But I hear the hard place you're both in since it sounds like that is what provides her with some relief...But that also is impacting you as you're just trying to hold things together financially. Please know you're not alone in this and what you're sharing makes sense. I'm going to share a different page on the community website here that goes over a number of different potential resources. Take a look and let me know if any of these seem like they might be helpful for you: https://opioid-use-disorder.com/resources. Of course, I'm not sure if your girlfriend would be receptive to any of these, but I wanted to provide them just in case you hadn't come across them yet. - Jake (Team Member)

From your description it is clear that your loved one has spiraled into a condition beyond physician managed care. I didn’t mean to suggest long term opioid use isn’t a slippery slope; because it is. Like any disease of addiction. But let me ask you a question; then I’ll explain where I am coming from. My question is what other less addictive modalities of pain management has your loved one been willing to embrace and endure?

Here is where I’m coming from. I have a long history of chronic failed back syndrome, multi-level spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. I’ve had four surgeries total on my lumbar spine. Last one being a four level L2-S1 fusion with rods and screws. Needless to say I was prescribed daily regimens of pain killers over very long (decades) time span. I knew the risks. I was also dragged into family court three times over a twenty year period. Each time accused of being an addict. Each time showing I was under a single physicians supervision of my pain management. Each time the accusations were summarily dismissed. The point is I never wanted a reason to be dependent on pain killers. Let alone addicted to them. They were to manage my failed back surgery syndrome, so I could continue building a technical career and raising a family. So I stayed focused on one distant goal; get as healthy as possible, as quickly as possible, and get off opioids just as rapidly. It took me decades, including a failed marriage and estrangement from my children. In the end I successfully rehabilitated my back to where I quit the opioids on my own. That was almost ten years ago. And without physician intervention. So I know it can be done. I am not pain free by any means either. I cared enough about myself not to succumb to addiction, though I know I easily could have. My best advice; help your loved one learn to love themself.