I steal my daughter’s medication

Dear Delyara, My daughter has ADHD and takes a stimulant each morning. I began taking one occasionally to stay awake during double shifts. Then I started taking more and telling the pharmacy we had lost tablets. My daughter’s doctor has become suspicious. Last month, she went without medication for six school days because the refill was denied. Her teacher reported that she could not focus and became upset in class. I blamed the insurance company. My daughter apologised for being “bad without medicine.” I hugged her while knowing the pills meant for her had been inside my body. I work as a nursing assistant and understand addiction. I also understand that I am stealing treatment from my own child. Tonight, I counted the new prescription. Thirty tablets. I have already taken two. My daughter believes there are twenty-eight mornings of help inside the bottle. I am the danger standing between her and every one of them.