[daniel-lewis-1985]

Im currently going through a bit of a ****ty spell with a close friend who has sadly become addicted to pain killers and sleeping pills (4 years). What makes me sad is none of us friends knew she was suffering with depression and anxiety and im finding it hard to understand why she didn't choose to confide in any of us.

Her supplier has stopped selling so she was forced to come clean with the doctors or would have been seriously ill from withdrawal. The NHS wont really do anything for her as she was buying the drugs. All they have offered is a course of diazepam for 2 weeks to taper off. Serious 4 years addicted to drugs and they expect her to be fit and well in 2 weeks?

She works hard so I suggested possibly paying for an intense rehabilitation facility but whatever she was earning went straight to the guy dishing out these pills....So angry. I went to talk to my gp about it (who now probably thinks im an addict) and asked if councelling was available to patients for free on NHS or groups and I was told no. Please tell me this is not the case meaning she only has 2 weeks to pull herself out of a huge hole.

Has anyone else been through this? Have you been addicted to anything yourself? I would love to hear both sides especially if anyone has been in a situation like she is.

Ive been through this numerous times with a family member who suffers a serious mental illness but never with such a close friend who is going to have to rely on us heavily im sure.

I want to be there for her but not make her feel baby sat.

All stories welcome.

Thanks xx