Janet, you didn't blow your stack as much as you thought you did, from what I can see. And I was just as worked up about things as you - I've kept quiet about a lot of my own issues, but felt I needed to say more in defence of those of us who have no choice but to use strong pain medications to function.
My lovely specialist, the one who at first expressed concern that I was an addict, finally said to me, "We'll get you well and THEN we'll get you off the medications."
I know from my past experience that when I limit pain medication use to - well - pain, then I can easily reduce the medications when the pain is less severe. There are a lot more procedures available now to resolve and treat addiction.
I view an addict as "someone who takes a drug in order to get a direct payoff" which is usually pleasure, at least in the initial stages of use. The payoff for me, with these drugs, is reduction of pain. Not even relief - just reduction, to the point where I can walk a little better, I can move a little better and use my hands more freely. If I take more, the sensation is unpleasant to me. For me, there is no payoff directly from the drug.
For those who DO get a direct payoff, getting off the drugs physically is NOT the main battle. GG, if your mother really is an addict as you fear, the problem won't be physical reliance as much as emotional. She takes it because she feels happy on it, or relaxed, or safe. Not good. But if she is simply taking it for the pain relief it gives and her other issues are unrelated, then something still needs to be investigated.
Janet, you and I are walking a difficult road, we need to be sure of our support base. I took a long time to share as much as I did on GG's thread, but I shared what I did because I feel safe with the people on this site. We all are walking a difficult road with our children. For most of us, I'm sure, we have learnt a great deal and made significant changes in our attitudes by learning from each other here. I value the tolerance and compassion on this site.
Marg