Berlin - If a person hoards large amounts of a medication, there's a possibility he or she is addicted. Another sign is if the person seems tense if they doesn't get the medicine at the usual time in the usual place, according to the German Professional Association of Neurologists. Frank Bergmann, the group's head, advises family members and friends of the potential addict to approach them gently, but directly, and share their thoughts about the substance abuse.
It's important to give the patient the feeling that people are there to support them. It helps a lot of people if they think someone is sharing their problems.
"At the same time, you have got to make him aware of the danger of the situation," says Bergmann.
Only when the patient fully recognizes his addiction can he see beyond it and face the problems behind it. Those could include serious problems at work or in a relationship.
n Germany with its population of 82.3 million about 1.5 million to 2 million people, mostly women, are addicted to medication.
