$Unique_ID{BRK00350} $Pretitle{} $Title{Use of Someone Else's Codeine Prescription} $Subject{codeine pain medications Community social prescription prescriptions medicine medicines medication narcotic narcotics addictive addicted addict addiction behavior lifestyle behaviors lifestyles} $Volume{Q-23, R-23} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Use of Someone Else's Codeine Prescription ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I am a 40 year old woman who for the past three months had been taking a prescription (someone else's): codeine tablets for a back problem. The problem has since gone, but I have come to enjoy the effects of the drug. Am I in any way doing harm to myself? I take about 4-6 tablets every day. Thank you for your reply. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Frankly speaking, you are breaking every rule in the book, and may be in serious trouble. The first no-no is to take another person's prescription medicine. No such medication is safe without the examination and testing that leads to the diagnosis that precedes any consideration of possible medication. Second, you are taking a powerful medicine without a physician to counsel and guide you. Third, and most important in your case, you are taking a potent narcotic, an addictive substance, merely for the enjoyable effects, rather than to suppress pain. All signs point to the possibility that you may already be hooked. I wonder to myself how you are obtaining the drug for this length of time? At any rate, the time has come to quit, which may be more difficult than you imagined, but either alone or with help and guidance, you must stop before further damage is done. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.