NEW JOB - WORKING WITH PILL HAPPY PEOPLE

[enemy48]

As some of you know, I've started a new job last Monday.  Today was my 8th day and I've already been approached by 3 people asking me if I had any kind of painkillers!

Man!  During my most addictive days....when needing pills, I NEVER approached strangers and asked point blank if they had some painkillers.

I work with only 10 people in-house.........and have no idea of how many contractors on the road.  So far the Business Manager, a Warehouse Man and a Sales Lady have approached me asking if I took painkillers or if I had any to give....all starting with the Business Manager on Tuesday!

How do I not be ugly about this?  I'm rookie to the company and need to make my way into the liking.....but WTF?  Do I look like a pillhead?  How can people feel so comfortable to ask a total stranger about something so personal & illegal?  

Since I'm so new there, I have no idea what goes on between co-workers.  

Please give input on how to answer nicely to them about this and tell me why you think I got bomb-barded w/this sensitive subject on only my 2nd day.

I don't work for a thug-company......Or so I thought.  I modify existing floorplans for both new and existing houses.  I work closely w/all 3 people that did this.  

What to say or do?

[Barbarella66]

Hi enemy, I'm new here and I ran across your post about people asking you for pills. Well I work in a factory and I swear there are more pill heads there than I can count. If they see you get in your purse and take something they automatically think you have something good. I  do take prescription meds due to my health problems and I guess you could say I am a pill head because I am addicted to what I am taking so I am hoping to get better and get off of them for good. I'm glad I found this site because there are so many people here just like me.
Just keep telling them sorry , I dont have anything and eventually they will leave you alone. If you have to take anything go to the restroom and take it, believe me it helps because if not they will just keep buggin you.Take care and hope to chat with you soon.
By the way some companies(like mine) have people(narcs) that will tell just to get people in trouble , even if you just give a regular Tylenol  Remember you are a kool chick lol  Barb

[GoingToMakeIt]

Oh and I agree, it might be a good time to teach them of the woes to drug use.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Congrats on the new job! Good to see you again, too. Tell them that last time you checked, it was against statutory law to give out someone else's Rx.

[SableZen]

Maybe look at it as a oppurtunity to warn people of how much of a difficult situation they might find themselves in by doing what they are doing. At the least, they'll stop asking you for pills. At the most you might make someone think about what they are doing. =P

[sdleo]

I have been approached by people also and asked for painkillers and and then I will ask them what is wrong and and they normally ask for Alleve, tylenol, Motrin and stuff that talk because some of the average people who don't do narcs consider those painkillers.

[bubbles1096]

TroubleinOhio,

Congrats on leaving! (Gosh that sounds weird) I know you have had a difficult time with your hubby, leaving is hard, esp. with little ones involved, sounds like you've really tried your best and put your heart out there for him..too bad for him, you sound like a great woman. You said you have a strong support group, it's for the best for you and your children's future. Just stay strong. I'll make sure to read yoru post too!

[troubleinohio]

enemy: Yep I left early Saturday. Read my post under the "Really BAD things happening here" title  =)

[enemy48]

Bubbles:  No, I didn't put anything down about my addiction....and I actually like being the odd person as a new employee & out of the circle.  Especially now!  I've learned through mistakes to maintain the level of privacy you were talking about.

Ohio:  You left your husband since that last post I read?  Good for U!

Coolio:  No, I didn't get this job through anyone that knows me.  I responded to a career site announcement without even knowing the name of this company.  I don't know anyone who works there, or anyone they know, so I can easily rule that out.  

All:  Everything will be fine, because I'm a kool chick and they'll like me regardless if I can supply them or not.  

Thanks everyone for the comments.

[Coolio Hernendez]

Did you get the job thru someone that knows about your past.

I really feel for you...I work for one of the most out of control pill head companys in Washington D.C.  People know of my past problem so i am on thier regular rotation.
I've noticed that people facing w/d will go way out of their comfort zone to get ill's.

[troubleinohio]

youre probably gonna run into problems like this just about anywhere Im afraid. I know that around here where I live it seems like everyone is using some kind of opiate pill, for real.  Its insane how prevelant it is. i posted a few weeks ago that i found out my new next door neighbor who I like very m uch is an addict (alcoholic and opiates, particularly vicodins and oxy's) she's always askin everyone around here if they have anything as she "ran out early" and i personally know of at least 30 people that have come around the house that use pills. Its crazy.    Just try to keep your head about it and try to deal with it because youre likely to find this problem everywhere now, sad as that is.

PS this is another reason I am glad I left husband and moved out. I dont have to see these pill people anymore!

[HelpinUtah]

After reading newgirl2708's comments.  I also agree with her.  Good luck!

[bubbles1096]

The nerve of people sometimes. I agree with newgirl2708, less is more and when you are in a professional working environment, simple answers to questions and etiquette are best.....with given the information you've given the business manager, if she asks you again for pills or wants to discuss it, answer the question with a question (I know it's a terrible thing to do, it's a pet peeve of mine), change the subject or simply tell her that you dont' have pills and dont' have a reason to and if you've mentioned an addiction or had trouble with them (which I'm not sure if you did or not), just say you're happy and your life is beyond that.

As for the cliques, dont' worry about it. Being in a new place, you will be the odd person out until they feel comfortable asking you out to join, but then again, they might want to pry into your personal life and do you want that? Office talk can be casual, but it has to be with what you're comfortable with. I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and I'm worried about that too because my work where I am at now is extremely clique-ish and it took me a long time, "to get in" so  to speak but I've always maintained a level of privacy and obscurity with the majority of them.

[flmagi]

I agree with newgirl, less is better. Just a simple, sorry, no, hope you feel better.
I can't believe how brazen people are getting. It really does show what a problem pills are getting to be every where.

[newgirl2708]

pam,
the less said the better...keep it short and simple...we as women say way tooooo much...less is more. a polite, 'nope' and a 'i hope you feel better' will do....good luck
marie

[enemy48]

I've never been in this predicament before.  

I've learned fast in my past how to get on the bad side of co-workers w/new jobs.

I really want to just keep the peace.  I have no idea of who does what, in personal lives, and took this job to make money not friends.  But w/that attitude, it's hurt me in my past w/new jobs.

And you know how catty women can be........GEEZE!

[enemy48]

The more I think about it, the more I get pissed.  I will be eligable for insurance in a while & you have to put all of your past and/or existing medical conditions.  On my second day, the Business Manager & I were talking about the same pair of shoes we wore.  She mentioned how a small heel worked better for her back pain and that's the truth about me too!  So we got to talking about shoe stores.  

At that time, she asked if I had existing pain, which I do, but don't like walk around holding my back or something.  

I now feel like she was digging because she probably read my personal information about back surgery.

When she asked if I took medication, I told here that Corona was my medication for back pain.  So I guess I never said yes or no.

Later that day is when she asked if I would have anything to help her with her back pain.  I told her that I had some advil in my car, and she asked if I didn't have anything stronger like lortabs.  I just said no, I don't have to take prescription pain medication.

Now bandmom, the warehouse guy is her nephew, and he adores me like I do him.  Maybe she thought he could get more out of me?  The sales lady & her also go to lunch almost every day together.  Yeah........clickish, huh?  What to do?

[HelpinUtah]

I agree with Bandnmom.  I would say that exact thing - it's none of their business about what you've gone through.  And, to be honest, they have a lot of nerve asking a total stranger anyway!  WOW!!!!

[bandnmom]

RX pill addiction is such a wide spread thing these days its crazy! Alot really dont think anything about asking others for them. It seems these days its almost like asking someone for an asprin when u have a headache. I would just tell your co-workers if they ask again that you never have been one to take pain pills. They knock you on your butt. Or something along those lines. I wouldnt go into detail about your addiction as its really none of their business.
What did you say when they did ask you?