A 29-year-old woman who used her position as a medical assistant to write phony prescriptions was ordered to participate in Western Regional Drug Court if she qualifies.
Angela Winburn pleaded guilty to unlawful taking a controlled substance or a prescription on Tuesday.
She told District Judge Dave Gamble she became addicted to pain killers while awaiting surgery for a year for back problems.
Winburn claimed she is fighting with her insurance company to be approved for the operation.
She admitted illegally obtaining 240 hydrocodone tablets.
Winburn finally admitted to Gamble that her doctor was "tapering" off the hydrocodone, but she still was taking the drug along with another medication that was nonaddictive while she awaits surgery.
"It's not really a good start to lie to the judge," Gamble said. "Either this is a real desire to recover or not. I'll just let you suffer with your back pain in prison."
She faced similar charges in Carson City.
Gamble ordered her to appear in drug court on Oct. 3.
