Rapid Opiate Detox - Drug Addiction - Drug Treatment

Former Tennis Champ Agassi Admits Crystal Meth Use

2009-11-05T06:01:00.001-08:00

Andre Kirk Agassi’s yet to be released tell-all book, “Open,” contains at least one bombshell – his crystal meth use and how he lied to the ATP about it after failing a drug test back in 1997.
Due to be released on November 9, a publicist for Random House confirmed the rumors. "Those excerpts contain revelations about Andre's use of crystal meth when he was a tennis player.” Random House describes the book like this: “From Andre Agassi, one of the most beloved athletes in history and one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court, a beautiful, haunting autobiography.”

According to an excerpt published in The Times of London, the eight-time Grand Slam champion sent a letter to the ATP tour to explain the positive test, saying he accidentally drank from a soda spiked with meth by his assistant "Slim."
"Then I come to the central lie of the letter," Agassi writes. "I say that recently I drank accidentally from one of Slim's spiked sodas, unwittingly ingesting his drugs. I ask for understanding and leniency and hastily sign it: Sincerely.
But in a candid People magazine interview, Agassi reveals, “I was worried for a moment, but not for long. ... I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story," Agassi said.
When the celeb mag asked Agassi if he was ever addicted to crystal meth, he didn’t label himself an addict, but he did tell People, “if you're using anything as an escape, you have a problem.”

Agassi had already been a three-time Grand Slam champion, reached four other major finals, achieved No. 1 status and collected an Olympic gold medal before experiencing a nosedive of all nosedives in 1997, the year he reportedly starting using meth "a lot." He had finished inside the Top 10 eight times before that forgettable '97 campaign.

Maybe crime does pay, as the book has an initial run of half a million copies, with an estimated $5 million as an advance.

Drug Addiction: Government Plot in Iran?

2009-11-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

Who Knew? According to an article in the Tehran Times last week, there are presently 11.2 million drug addicts in the country. Drug addiction is on the top of the social problems that has caused so much concern in the society.
Unfortunately, a government leader reported, campaigns against drug addiction would not produce the same results as campaigns against thugs or drug trafficking. According to the official statistics, there are 1.2 million drug addicts in Iran while the unofficial sources show that the figure exceeds 11 million.
Not long ago, a report by the United Nations found that Iran has the highest drug addiction rate in the world. Iran has the highest proportion of opiate addicts in the world -- 2.8 percent of the population over age 15. The director of the Iranian National Centre for Addiction Studies estimates that 20 percent of Iran's adult population was "somehow involved in drug abuse". In Iran, about 14 tons of Afghan heroin and a staggering 450 tons of opium were consumed locally in 2008, the report said, making it the world’s biggest consumer of the drug.
Many Iranians describe high drug availability as evidence of a government plot, adding, “After students rioted at Tehran University in 1999, residents of a locked-down dormitory told of drug dealers being allowed in to distribute narcotics for free”. "I believe this is the policy of the state, to make all the youth addicted", said Hamid Motalebi, 22, a police officer on duty in a south Tehran park almost overrun by junkies sleeping on the grass or staggering like zombies. "It's the lack of policy and management. If they could create enough jobs, enough entertainment, why would people turn to drugs?"
Where do the drugs come from? Afghanistan is particularly generous with Iran, with some sources saying as much as 60% of Afghanistan’s opium is trafficked across Iran’s border.
The effect of Afghan’s drug trade is felt around the world, says the UN. Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian nations are among the most affected states but the negative impact of the multibillion-dollar Afghan narcotics flow is felt around the world as it continues to spread, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a new report issued last week. Afghanistan produces 90 per cent of the world’s supply of opium, the raw ingredient used to make heroin.
Few people truly believe it is an Iranian government plot, as the consequences are severe. With a quarter of drug users now infected with HIV, Tehran also has spent millions of dollars and deployed thousands of troops to secure its porous 1,000-mile border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Experts say a few hundred Iranian drug police die each year in battles with smugglers.

Finally: 3 to stand Trial for Anna Nicole Smith’s Death

2009-11-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

What took so long? Anna Nocole Smith, former Playboy model, turned reality star, died tragically of an accidental overdose of at least nine medications in February 2007. Three of the people in her life, have finally been ordered to stand trial. The charge?

In feeding her addiction to prescription drugs, her boyfriend lawyer Howard K. Stern, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and psychiatrist Dr. Khristine Eroshevich stand accused of conspiring to illegally provide her with controlled substances and supplying drugs to an addict.

County Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry ruled Friday, October 30 in Los Angelos after a 13-day preliminary hearing, that there was sufficient evidence to try the defendants on charges of conspiring to give Smith sedatives and opiates. Dr. Kapoor and Dr. Eroshevich are charged with prescribing controlled substances to an addict, writing opiate prescriptions in a false name and obtaining opiates by fraud.

Mr. Stern, Anna’s longtime companion and attorney, is charged with illegal prescribing under the theory that he aided and abetted the physicians.A friend of Smith’s, Gina Shelly, said Howard Stern would give Smith handfuls of drugs. "He poured them in her mouth like you would a bird." All three defendants pleaded not guilty.

If convicted they each could face more than five years in prison. NY Daily News reported that her longtime boyfriend, Howard K. Stern, is charged with 11 felony counts, including dispensing a controlled substance to an addict and obtaining a prescription for opiates by deceit.Doctors Kapor and Eroshevich each face six felony counts, including unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance to an addict. All three defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime.

The sheer number of medications Smith was reported to have taken included Valium, methadone, Xanax, the anti-seizure medication Topamax, the muscle relaxant Soma, the sedative chloral hydrate and Dilaudid, a painkiller also known as "hospital heroin."

It was alleged during the hearing that while Smith was being weaned off methodone at a rehab hospital, Stern would sneak in extra doses for her.One expert witness testified that there was no legitimate medical reason for Kapoor and Eroshevich to provide Smith the amount of sedatives and painkillers they did.

Although, at one point, the judge pointed out that he was convinced that all three defendants cared deeply for Smith and tried to help her. Is it just me, or with friends like that, who needs enemies?

A Dec. 11 arraignment was set.

Prescription Drug Databases May Help States Curb Growing Misuse of Opiates

2009-10-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Many states are grappling with the grim realization that a rising number of cases of drug abuse and overdose are not related to street drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Instead, prescription pain killers or opiates are the alarming growing problem that government, health and law enforcement officials are trying to figure out how to stem. The statistics seem to mirror the trend in prescribing practices of many doctors and pain clinics across the country. It’s simple: as more prescriptions are written for opiates, and more of these drugs are illegally diverted, more people are becoming addicted and/or suffering fatal overdoses.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported in April 2009 that Ohio’s drug-related deaths increased 304 percent between 1999 and 2007, a problem attributed largely to abuse of prescription painkillers. The number of overdoses in this state surpasses the number of traffic-related fatalities. Ohio developed a Web database program three years ago to make it easier for police, doctors and pharmacists to check for all prescriptions filled in the state. Ohio and Kentucky recently agreed to share prescription information as many people go beyond state borders to “doctor shop” in an attempt to secure more than one source.

The Ohio Pharmacy Board has stated their hope to reach such agreements with other states. In similar moves, 38 other states are adopting a database program to help prevent people from obtaining multiple prescriptions for opiates such as OxyContin, Codeine, Fentanyl, Percocet and Darvocet. Sharing such information will give doctors and other officials the chance to flag those people who may be abusing prescription drugs.

Abuse of Prescription Painkillers Leaves Many Scrambling for a Solution

The Plain Dealer article, citing a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported that deaths from misuse of prescription narcotics had by 2004 outnumbered deaths in the U.S. from both heroin and cocaine. The number of prescriptions for opiates issued in the U.S. has skyrocketed in the last few years, and are now among the most commonly prescribed drugs in this country.

The fallout from this situation can be seen in just about every community. Police logs and newspapers reflect the societal scourge of painkiller addiction which can lead to theft, violence, overdoses, legal problems and personal and property crimes. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that “the cost to society of illicit drug abuse alone is $181 billion annually.” Many agencies are scrambling for the resources and time to deal with these issues, compounded by the fact that these same communities and agencies are tightening their belts and losing funding in a sour economy. While educational, prevention and treatment programs may put a dent in the opiate problem, these programs likely suffer from local, state and federal funding cuts.

There are many methods of drug treatment available, and in various settings, including residential treatment centers, outpatient programs, and inpatient care, and utilizing both behavioral approaches and pharmacological treatment. Often, however, the treatment programs used to address addiction last months, with a high incidence of relapse. As a result, the local, state, and federal agencies paying for these treatment programs end up paying for treatment for the same recipients multiple times, over a long period of time.

Obviously, a less costly and more effective method of drug addiction treatment is advisable. Medically-assisted withdrawal using the Waismann Method enables individuals to safely and comfortably reverse their dependence in days rather than months. The Waismann Method takes place in the hospital over 3-7 days, during which medications are administered to reverse physiological dependence and address the symptoms of withdrawal. Using this medical approach, the duration and severity of the withdrawal syndrome are reduced and, in fact, patients report feeling minimal to no withdrawal or physical cravings after one week of treatment. These patients are then able to start a therapeutical program of their choice to address their underlying social and psychological issues, which greatly aids in the success of the Waismann Method. The Waismann Method has been performing the highest level of opiate detoxification in the country for the last decade.

Instead of working with just the addiction (the symptom), we work with the patient. Opiates are numbing devices used to numb physical or mental pain. Unless the root of each individual patient’s physical or mental pain is assessed and treated properly, patients tend to relapse in order to mask the pain they cannot handle.

Suffering through withdrawal is physically and mentally traumatic and counter- productive to a patient’s well being. Not just are we able to safely and humanely detox patients under sedation, but we also created an after care Domus Retreat that, unlike most traditional rehabilitation centers, works with the patient’s chemical imbalance, depression, chronic pain or whatever issue each individual is diagnosed with.

Treating the patient as a whole both physically and mentally by being able to identify and assist each patient based on their specific medical and psychological needs allows us to maintain the highest success rate of any opiate treatment in the country.

Kelly Osbourne Addicted to Vicodin

2009-03-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, has come clean about a problem that has plagued her for years. She recently opened up to People Magazine saying she got hooked on liquid Vicodin when it was prescribed for her following a surgery to remove her tonsils at age 13. Kelly is a few weeks out of rehab which was her third attempt at getting clean. The 24-year-old says that taking Vicodin made people like her, boosted her confidence and kept her from being teased. She had previously tried to get clean during rehab stays in 2004 and 2005.

Kelly told People she’s getting a second shot at her career and knows she would have died had she not sought help. She returned to the screen with her family in a variety show called Osbournes Reloaded that debuted March 31 on the Fox network. Kelly has said her month-long stay in rehab was voluntary and based on an “intense” relapse this year.

A Prolonged Vicodin Addiction Can Be Hard to Kick

Addiction to Vicodin and other opiate painkillers can be hard to kick, especially after prolonged use. Physical and psychological dependence can develop, making it especially important for users to seek out professional help in order to detox. In Kelly’s case, a decade-long addiction made the likelihood of relapse even greater.

This story is similar for many people going through opiate painkiller addiction. You are in pain from an injury, surgery or chronic illness. You get a prescription for pain medication. The next thing you know, you’re hooked. Prescription painkiller addiction is a chronic, progressive and relapsing condition that traps some users in a vicious cycle for years.

Addiction in the Osbourne Family: Hereditary or Circumstantial?

Kelly’s family members are no strangers to addiction either. Her father Ozzy, Black Sabbath front man and reality show star, has notoriously and publicly battled drug and alcohol addiction. Her brother Jack has also struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism ¹ and has sought treatment in the past. Her mother Sharon has admitted in the past to suffering from bulimia ², an eating disorder viewed by some to be addictive in nature.

The cause of addiction is the subject of much research and debate. For some people addiction is hereditary and determined in part by the genes inherited from their parents. For others, it is the result of life experiences and circumstances. In the case of the Osbourne family, it could be a little bit of both.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article103118.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article566999.ece

Anna Nicole Smith: A Sad Story Gets Even Sadder

2009-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

The recent arrest of Anna Nicole Smith’s doctor, psychiatrist and attorney has put the spotlight on the role the professional community can play in keeping an addict addicted. Smith died Feb. 8, 2007 in a Hollywood, Fl. hotel room after suffering an accidental overdose from a cocktail of prescription drugs, including highly-addictive opiates. She was 39 at the time of her death which came shortly after she gave birth to a daughter and lost her son to a drug overdose.

Arrested in connection with the case were Howard K. Stern, Smith’s boyfriend and attorney; Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, one of Smith’s doctors; and Khristine Eroshevich, Smith’s psychiatrist. Eroshevich faces charges that she repeatedly supplied Smith, a known addict, with addictive prescription drugs. Stern and Kapoor have been charged with unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance and conspiring to prescribe, administer and dispense a controlled substance to an addict.

Kapoor and Eroshevich were also charged with one count each of obtaining a prescription for opiates by using a fake name or address, and one count each of obtaining a prescription for opiates by “fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” All three turned themselves in recently and are scheduled to be arraigned May 13 in the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. They each face a maximum of five years and eight months in a state prison if convicted, according to the district attorney’s office.

Dangerous Mix of Opiates and Benzodiazepines Prescribed “Excessively” for Smith

Los Angeles County Superior Court documents show a dangerous mix of opiates, benzodiazepines and other drugs that had been prescribed to Smith over a three-year period. These include: methadone, a synthetic opioid used to treat addiction; Dilaudid, the brand name for hydromorphone, an opioid analgesic; Xanax, used to treat anxiety and panic disorders; Valium, used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal and addiction; Vicodin, a narcotic pain reliever and cough suppressant; Ambien, a short-term sleeping aid; promethazine with codeine, an antihistamine and sedative; clonazepam, a muscle relaxant; chloral hydrate, a hypnotic sedative; and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant.

California’s Attorney General has called Stern Smith’s “principal enabler” and said the doctors prescribed the drugs “excessively to a known addict.” All three have denied they did anything wrong and an attorney for Eroshevich has said the doctor needed to use a fictitious name on prescriptions to protect Smith’s privacy.

Alleged Abuse of Power Kept Smith Sedated and Incoherent

The case calls attention to the alleged abuse of power by the very people who were charged with taking care of Smith. If they are found guilty of the charges, it will show that all three flagrantly violated their ethical obligations to the star who often seemed unable to care for herself.

Smith, who was a Playboy pin-up and Guess Jeans model, became a kind of caricature of herself in the years leading up to her death. She wed billionaire oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II when she was 26 and he was in his late 80s. After his death in 1995, she battled his family for control of his estate. She also starred in a reality TV show which often portrayed her as unstable and incoherent. Smith even made embarrassing TV appearances where she slurred her words and seemed heavily sedated and impaired.

The Hills of Appalachia: A Desperate Situation

2009-03-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

An epidemic of drug abuse has gripped a part of America so often forgotten. Living conditions in parts of central Appalachia are bad – so bad in fact that images mirror those you would see in a commercial for starving children in a third world country. Diane Sawyer of ABC News reported last week on the crisis people face in this part of the eastern United States. Problems she uncovered include a poverty rate three times that of the national rate, chronic depression, cancer and toothlessness. People living in the region Sawyer visited have the shortest life spans in the nation and a serious problem with prescription drug abuse.

Sawyer profiles an 11-year-old girl and her struggle to get her mom well. Her mother is addicted to alcohol and prescription medication. The two live in Cumberland, Ky., and Sawyer said that region has a rate of prescription drug abuse twice that of cities like New York and Miami. Some people try to make an honest living and many put in long hours in dangerous coal mines. But with few resources and fewer jobs, people are turning to dealing prescription drugs as a way to survive.

And many battle addictions, saying the drugs and alcohol help to numb the pain of their reality. In these parts, a Lortab or Xanax pill goes for between $5 and $15. To get your hands on a powerful OxyContin pill, you’ll have to shell out at least $20. Because of this illicit sale and trade, it’s no wonder this part of rural Appalachia also has a high crime rate. Robbery, theft and other types of personal crimes are soaring. It’s a desperate situation to say the least.

OxyContin, a powerful opioid drug, is a major concern for parts of Appalachia. Couple that with a limited availability of substance abuse treatment centers and it’s not hard to see why people are stuck in this way of life. In 2003, the Lexington Herald-Leader analyzed federal data and found that, per capita, Eastern Kentucky drugstores, hospitals and other legal institutions receive more prescription painkillers than anywhere else in the nation.

Prescription Drug Addiction Knows No Boundaries

Drug abuse, diversion and illicit sale are not a problem isolated to the hills of Appalachia. These issues have no borders. The abuse rate of prescription medication, especially opiates and benzodiazepines, is soaring globally. Related concerns have also plagued other regions of the United States. As prescription drugs become more available legally and otherwise, overdoses and related drug deaths are increasing everywhere.

It could be argued that any one of us is one injury away from potential prescription painkiller addiction. Because of their makeup and the way opiates attach to receptors in the brain and body, addiction can take hold quickly with regular use. Addiction knows no boundaries. People from every background are affected. Addiction also does not discriminate based on race, nationality, sex or socioeconomic background. It’s up to each one of us to know the facts and protect ourselves.

Tapentadol: FDA Approves New Opiate Painkiller

2009-03-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Many Americans dealing with pain will soon have a new option when it comes to managing it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new immediate-release tablet for the management of moderate to severe pain.

Tapentadol hydrochloride is a synthetic analgesic available in doses of 50 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg. An FDA press release from Nov. 24 says the drug “acts in two ways, opioid (narcotic) and non-opioid.” It reportedly activates opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract, and inhibits the reuptake of the brain chemical norepinephrine which may have an analgesic effect. The FDA lists side effects for Tapentadol as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sleepiness.

Labeling on the packaging warns users of the risk of respiratory depression and its potential to be abused. It can also have addictive depressive effects on the central nervous system when taken with alcohol, other opiates or illicit drugs, the FDA said.

As with Other Opiates, New Drug has Potential for Abuse

Tapentadol is manufactured by Janssen Ortho, LLC, in Gurabo, PR., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. It will be available once the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency classifies the controlled substance in its drug schedule. The FDA says opiates are “safe and effective in selected patients but can cause dependence, abuse and addiction.” Approval was based on clinical studies of more than 2,100 patients presented earlier this year at the annual scientific meeting of the American Pain Society. The studies found Tapentadol to provide significant relief when compared to a placebo. A trade name for Tapentadol has not yet been established.

Marijuana: To Legalize or Not?

2009-03-13T19:08:00.000-07:00

The growing debate about legalizing marijuana is back in the spotlight after a California lawmaker has proposed legalizing the drug for recreational use to boost the state’s economy. Democrat Tom Ammiano, with just three months under his belt as a state lawmaker, introduced a bill Monday, saying the measure could introduce over a billion dollars a year to the state’s wallet through taxes and other fees from regulation. Under the bill, marijuana would be regulated like alcohol, allowing those 21 and older to buy, grow, sell and possess marijuana. Federal law currently prohibits the growing, transporting, using, selling, buying and possession of the drug for recreational use. The bill would ban use near schools and attach criminal penalties for those who drive under the influence.

Ammiano, of San Francisco, said he thinks the legislation is worth discussion. And that’s exactly what happened once the media got ahold of the story. Talk shows, news programs and radio shows discussed the proposed legislation, some taking calls from the public and conducting unofficial polls. The measure reportedly has support from the San Francisco sheriff who said it should be open to public debate. Also in favor is Betty Yee, who chairs the state board that collects taxes in California. She said an analysis by the state Board of Equalization shows $1.3 billion could be generated each year from tax revenues and a levy on retail sales of $50-per-ounce. The analysis also shows that legalizing marijuana could cut its street value by 50 percent and increase consumption.

The Debate: For and Against

The “gateway theory” says habitual use of a less harmful drug may lead to future use of more dangerous, illicit drugs. The so-called “gateway” drugs usually refer to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. The theory has been put to the test numerous times and results are conflicting. Some studies show that marijuana use can lead to progressive use of drugs like cocaine, LSD, methamphetamines, heroin or prescription opiates such as OxyContin or Fentanyl. Some show no correlation at all, and others have been inconclusive.

In addition to generating money, some argue that legalized pot would take control away from dangerous gangs and cartels, and unclog the overburdened jail and court systems. It could also stimulate the economy by creating jobs, some say. Others say a $50-per-ounce tax would make it accessible only to the rich and that illegal sale and distribution would continue. Others question the morality and contradiction of the legislation, saying the government criminalized marijuana, spouting its evils, until the economic panic set in.

It’s clear the prohibition on marijuana hasn’t worked up to this point. It’s everywhere and fairly easy to obtain. But is legalization the answer? Californians have already proved they are progressive when it comes to marijuana. In 1996, over 5 million voters approved legislation to legalize marijuana for medicinal reasons. The new legislation could make the November ballot, and if it passes, will make California the first state to do so. One thing is for sure. If it does pass, more states will take a closer look at legalization. And no doubt, California will see quite a boom in population.

H.O.W. To Recover

2009-03-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

How does someone recover? The self-help approach starts with the premise of H.O.W. Honesty, Open mindedness, and Willingness. What exactly does that mean?

Honesty is required. To become actively involved in your recovery you must be honest. Starting with being honest with your-self. You are not seeking recovery from addiction (other than a food addiction) because you drink too many ice-cream sodas! What does honesty mean? Taking an inventory of your actions, beliefs, contradictions, and the reality of your addiction or dependency. If you are honest with your self you can begin to overcome your addiction. If you doubt your addiction or you minimize the challenge you have with the use of substances you are wasting your time. My suggestion, suffer well!

Open mindedness is keeping an open mind to explore all suggestions. Think of a suggestion as a skydiver would the suggestion of pull the rip chord on the count of ten after you have jumped from the plane! Does that mean you will like the suggestion? No it is going against the grain of what you are familiar with. Fear creeps in and you begin to feel you cannot accept the suggestion.

There is a difference between not accepting the suggestion and truly working through the suggestion and recognizing that it is not a good fit. To often I encounter folks that will not attempt anything outside of their comfort zone. Typically, I shake my head and think, “why did they ask”? If their way was working why am I happy, joyous and free living a clean and sober lifestyle and they are not?

Willingness is accepting the suggestion and actually attempting to implement it. Recognize that there are no rules simply suggestions that are based on proven ideals and strategies. Finding the strategies that assist you in attaining a joyous recovery is the ideal.

The beginning of attaining your ideal is changing your attitude. Developing an attitude of gratitude. Getting started requires a willingness to look at the glass half full. Folks in alcohol rehab often focus on the negative. This is natural; first it begins at our infancy stage. One of the first words we hear as children is “No”. For most of us we are being corrected three times as much as we are being encouraged. So negativity is prevalent and expected. The second factor is if we focus on what others are doing or saying we take the focus off ourselves. Remember most of your responses that follow “But” are defense mechanisms to shut down your H.O.W.

That is why focusing on your strengths as opposed to what is wrong with you is preferred. It is the start of converting from a negative thinker to a positive thinker. If your goal is to attain happiness then implement the H.O.W. challenge. To start begin by developing a Positive Mental Attitude. To develop a Positive Mental Attitude you begin by focusing on the positives in your life. Write a gratitude list, listen to positive people, do not watch the broadcast news, stay away from the television unless it is the learning channel, sports, or nature and wilderness shows (Stay away from the conspiracy theory shows, they tend to be negative). Negativity will keep you held down in many areas of life. This is especially true in the social aspect of life. In fact not many people like to be around a negative person.

If you doubt this premise you are not ready to change. You are smarter than all of the most highly successful and happy people that have ever walked the face of this earth. Continue to blame others and walk around miserable! Suffer well!

If you want the happiness and freedom that happy and free people have, do what they do! Anything less is a waste of your time.

Humbly,

Daniel J. Callahan LMSW

AN OVER-PRESCRIBED SOCIETY?

2009-02-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

Just because it’s legal and comes from your doctor doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. It seems the old advice we used to get from doctors about an apple a day has been replaced by something altogether different. When was the last time your doctor discussed nutrition or preventative medicine with you? In this day and age, society relies too heavily upon prescription drugs. In many Eastern cultures, a holistic approach to preventing disease is a way of life. Food, herbs and spices are considered medicine for the body. Practices such as yoga, tai chi and acupuncture aren’t thought of as “new age” or “trendy.” They’re considered time-tested, honored practices that keep mind, body and spirit in check.

Americans are sick and getting sicker. Today, there’s a pill on the market for just about everything, from male pattern baldness, to restless legs, to opiates prescribed to treat opiate addictions. And as pharmaceutical companies race to find a “cure” for many of these ailments, society gets the message that there’s a quick fix when it comes to getting well. Not so long ago, pharmaceutical companies were prohibited from marketing drugs directly to consumers. Today we’d be hard-pressed to find anyone not familiar with the loving couple, sitting tub-by-tub in the sunset, waiting for that “right moment.”

ADDICTIVE PAINKILLERS POSE BIG PROBLEM

Prescription drugs can save lives, and most doctors and pharmacists aren’t bad people. But some do over prescribe drugs that can be harmful. And many pharmacies fill these prescriptions without question. Painkillers in particular have the potential of being habit-forming. Drug detox and rehabilitation centers are reporting more people with addictions to narcotic opiates such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Lortab. The number of painkiller overdoses has skyrocketed. This is due to many factors including patients who engage in pharmacy shopping, so called “pill mills” and the availability of online prescriptions, some that don’t even require a prescription. In November, an ABC News affiliate in Tampa Bay, Fl. reported more Florida residents in 2007 died of drug related deaths than traffic accidents – two and a half times more. Many states have implemented plans for a database so doctors, pharmacies and law enforcement can see a patient’s prescription drug history. The ABC news station said Florida is moving in that direction to help curb its growing problem.

THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN DOCTORS AND PATIENTS

The problem of over prescribing is complex. Drug companies spend billions each year marketing their drugs to doctors and consumers. Many doctors are too willing to dole out prescriptions, sometimes to treat complications from other prescriptions. Patients with legitimate health concerns go to their doctors seeking help but aren’t asking enough questions. Patients should not be afraid to challenge their health care professionals, ask for alternatives to drugs, or at the very least, do their research on drugs, side effects and interactions with other medications. Far too many of us walk into doctors’ offices, state our problems and walk out within minutes with a script in our hands.

Drugs and Suicide: a Sad Ooutcome

2009-02-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

A deadly combination of opiates and benzodiazepine were found in the system of a Florida teen who killed himself in November while a live online audience watched via webcam. The Associated Press reported 19-year-old Abraham Biggs blogged about plans to kill himself. The Broward County medical examiner’s office said some of the people watching through a body building website egged him on while others tried to talk him out of it. A few people reportedly discussed whether Biggs had taken enough to get the job done. The teen’s family said he suffered from bipolar disorder or manic depression.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists suicide as the fourth leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 64. Often, those deaths involve alcohol or drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in 2007 that toxicology tests reveal that alcohol is found in more than one out of three suicide victims. Opiates, including prescription painkillers and heroin, were found in one of six suicide victims, the agency said. Suicide is often linked with substance abuse and mental illness. Teens are especially at risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts when they use and abuse drugs and alcohol. Teens who use drugs to self medicate often find that instead of making things better, drugs seem to exacerbate the situation.

TOXICOLOGY TESTS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

In a 2006 report, the CDC stressed the need for medical professionals to pay attention to toxicology reports when deaths are ruled suicides. The CDC said the reports might help identify patterns of substance use that can help in suicide interventions. The CDC analyzed toxicology findings from suicides in 13 states that reported data to the National Violent Death Reporting System in 2004. Of the victims tested, 33.3% had alcohol in their system and 16.4% tested positive for opiates. The report states that “The finding that opiates were nearly five times more prevalent among poisoning suicide victims is consistent with evidence that prescription opioid analgesics cause more intentional overdose deaths than illegal, non-opioid drugs.”

DRUGS’ EFFECT ON THE BRAIN/SUICIDE RISK FACTORS

Many people who choose to end their lives turn to prescription drugs because they are quick and often readily available. There’s no doubt that drug use clouds judgment and lowers inhibitions. It alters the brain’s delicate chemical balance and can increase feelings of depression and sadness. Suicide and drug use are both major public health problems. Fortunately, both are preventable. Risk factors for suicide include mental health issues, drug and alcohol use, depression and family history of suicide or depression. If you are having suicidal thoughts and need help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK.

VH1’s Sober House: The Real Work Begins

2009-02-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

VH1’s addiction recovery program Sober House has added a new interesting character to its roster of celebrity addicts trying to stay clean. This week’s episode welcomed actor and comedian Andy Dick whose very public struggle with substance abuse led to jail time and has put his career in jeopardy. Dick, 42, showed up at the Sober House in Pasadena, Ca. with a renewed commitment to recovery after nine previous attempts at rehab. Dick said his family – including 20-year-old son – is fed up with his drinking. In an interview on the show, Dick said he has to get clean “because I’m going to die.” He called his stint at the Sober House “my last stop.”

Dr. Drew Pinsky, addiction medicine specialist who is involved with the show, called Dick’s addiction “severe.” Within the first day of being in the house during episode four, Dick admitted his issues have damaged his career and said beer has been his downfall. He said he had four days of sobriety when he showed up on the set. Though it’s early on in the season, Dick seems genuinely sincere about getting his life back. The house manager, Jennifer Gimenez, said she was immediately impressed with his attitude.

Celebrity Addicts Juggle Sobriety and Their Freedom

The show’s program is based on the premise that when rehab ends, the real work begins. Recovering addicts move into the house and continue their recovery, but without the safety net of a traditional rehab program. Although there are rules, chores and curfews, patients in the program are free to come and go. And some do, putting themselves in risky situations that jeopardize their recovery. This year’s lineup includes: Adler; Dick; Seth “Shifty” Binzer who co-founded the music group Crazy Town in 1995; adult film actress Mary Carey; Rodney King, who rose to fame after being beaten by L.A. cops in 1991; Nikki McKibben, third-pace finisher on American Idol’s first season; and former supermodel Amber Smith.

The season began Jan. 15 and has had a few interesting twists already. Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler has already been jailed and subsequently welcomed back into the house after relapsing twice on heroin. His behavior became verbally and physically abusive toward Gimenez and others, and the decision was made to call 911. After jail, Adler spent a few days in a hospital drying out. It was there that he met Dick. When Dick realized that Adler was working with Dr. Pinsky, Dick said he asked if the doctor might be willing to help him too.

Celebrity or Not, the Same Lessons Apply

The show chronicles the very real ups and downs of addiction and the struggle many face in their quest for recovery. Just because the participants in the show have had varying degrees of fame, their struggles have been very much the same as so many everyday people. Not every person addicted to drugs gets the opportunity to work with a top addiction specialist in a posh setting while the TV cameras are rolling, but the lessons to be learned are much the same. Every addict needs to find constructive ways to live their life on new terms, while trying to avoid the bad influences and risky situations that could jeopardize their sobriety.

ON THE PROWL FOR SCRAPS

2008-12-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

Homeowners beware: Thieves may be after more than your precious jewels and the money stashed under your bed. A wave of crime affecting cities across the country is theft of scrap metal.

The price of metals including copper and aluminum fluctuates, and when it’s high, people looking to fund drug use and other crimes risk their lives to get it. Headlines and police logs in many countries report thefts of aluminum siding, copper wire, metal grave markers, guard rails, downspouts, catalytic converters, gutters, radiators, AC coils and piping. While such theft is hardly new, the demand for scrap metal has driven prices up in recent years, making it a sought-after commodity.

And homeowners aren’t the only ones who need to be on the look-out. Construction sites, schools, churches and other buildings are also reporting such thefts.

RISK IMPLIES DESPERATION OF DRUG USERS

Drug users are always looking for new ways to fund their habit. Law enforcement authorities have long blamed a good deal of the scrap metal theft on drug users. And as the economy continues its down slope, they’re expecting such crime to multiply. Because stealing metals is risky, it often implies the kind of desperation that’s at the core of drug addiction.

A home in Girard, Oh. exploded earlier this year, ripping apart a neighborhood and injuring several people. Officials determined that gas was released when copper pipes were taken from the house. A man died last year in Pasadena, Md. after being electrocuted while cutting through a high-voltage line in an old store building on a quest for scrap metal.

A Cincinnati woman was arrested in November after trying to steal a vehicle to transport stolen scrap metal. She admitted being drunk and high on drugs. These stories represent only a minor fraction of the crimes taking place.

REGULATIONS AIM TO CUT DRUG CRIME

Drug addiction is a serious global problem. Millions of people are hooked on illicit street drugs, over-the-counter remedies and prescription drugs including OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Lortab and Vicodin.

Addiction and crime go hand-in-hand. The scrap metal business is attractive to users who rely on quick cash to fuel their habits. Because of this, many dealers have switched to paying by check. Many states and local governments have legislation in place or under consideration to regulate scrap metal sales. Some require dealers to wait a few days before selling purchased scrap metal, and some are required to keep detailed logs on the seller and the metals being bought.

In 2007, the Washington state governor signed a bill into law to regulate scrap metal sales to cut down on drug-related theft. Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who sponsored the bill, said “This new law creates standards for exchanging scrap metal for cash, and will help cut down on drug crime.”

SWISS VOTERS SAY “YES” TO HEROIN

2008-12-09T16:33:00.000-08:00

An overwhelming majority of voters in Switzerland approved a measure Nov. 30, making a government-run heroin program permanent. In the same election, voters said “no” to legalizing marijuana. The European country adopted its heroin program in 1994 in an effort to cut down on crime and give addicts a safe way to get high. Prior to that, scores of addicts could be seen openly shooting up in public parks and other spaces. Heroin, an opiate synthesized from morphine, is doled out in 23 centers across Switzerland where 1,300 addicts visit twice a day to receive controlled doses of heroin.

The drug is manufactured in a government-approved laboratory. The 1,300 people selected for the program shoot up under the supervision of nurses who offer clean syringes and paraphernalia to cut down on the spread of diseases including HIV and hepatitis.

Counseling from social workers and psychiatrists is also offered to users in the program. Approximately 2.6 million Swiss voters cast their ballots, with 68% in favor of the program. A citizens’ initiative to decriminalize marijuana failed after 63% of voters said “no.”

WORLD VIEWS ON LEGALIZED HEROIN

The program has received sharp criticism from countries including the United States, where legalizing such a powerful narcotic drug is thought of as promoting drug use. Other countries see the benefit in such a program. Australian and Canadian governments are considering similar programs based on the Swiss model, and the Netherlands has had a heroin program in place since 2006. The Associated Press reports that Britain has allowed individual doctors to prescribe heroin since the 1920s but is running a trial based on the Swiss program. Other countries running trials include Belgium, Germany and Spain, according to the AP.

THE GREAT HEROIN DEBATE

Addiction happens quickly for many when it comes to heroin and other opiates including OxyContin, Vicodin, Fentanyl and morphine. As addiction rates climb around the world, governments are scrambling to figure out how to cut down on associated crime, overpopulated prisons and disease. Social implications of addiction are costly for everyone.

The prospect of a free market for heroin is frightening for many who believe it will compound the problems associated with it. But many argue the problem with illegal drugs isn’t the drugs themselves, but rather the black market created to support them.

Many criticize the war on drugs, saying the criminalization of heroin and other substances takes the focus off what they consider a medical problem. Some say the billions of dollars spent on the legal, criminal and medical costs of drugs would be better spent on education, prevention and treatment.

SALVIA: HARMLESS HERB OR DANGEROUS DRUG?

2008-12-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

Brett Chidester committed suicide in January 2006 after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in a tent where he lit a charcoal grill. The subsequent hysteria over his death was attributed to more than the typical adolescent angst and depression so many teens suffer. Brett, 17, of Delaware, unknowingly would become the poster child for the anti-salvia movement, leading to a state-wide criminalization of a little-known psychoactive herb often compared to LSD. “Brett’s Law,” or Senate Bill 259, classified the herb as a Schedule I controlled substance in Delaware, attaching criminal penalty to its use. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency classifies drugs according to their potential to be abused and to cause dependence. Brett’s parents argued his use of salvia led to depression they blamed on his death.

HISTORY AND EFFECTS

Salvia divinorum, also known as “Diviner’s Sage,” is a member of the sage and mint family and grows in Oaxaca, Mexico. Historically, it has been used by the Mazatec people of the region to bring about shamanic visions during healing rituals. They would crush the leaves to extract juice, mixing them with water which they would drink. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated in 2006 that 1.8 million people, 12 and older, had used salvia in their lifetime. Today, people smoke or chew the leaves, or make it into a tincture, using a glass dropper to take it sublingually. When taking salvia, experiences range from uncontrollable laughter, improved mood, a sense of calmness, increased feelings of insight and connection with nature. Effects don’t last long. When smoking salvia, effects last a few minutes. Other effects reported include increased sweating, weird thoughts, visions, lightheadedness and feelings of floating.

TO CRIMINALIZE OR NOT TO CRIMINALIZE?

No conclusive scientific evidence exists that says salvia is toxic or addictive. Negative media attention in recent years, however, has cast a dark shadow over salvia, comparing it to other psychoactive drugs. Salvia is legal in many states though some have bills in various stages that could criminalize it. Some researchers say salvia may have therapeutic benefits and could possibly help in the treatment of depression, addiction, chronic pain, schizophrenia, AIDS and HIV. Some fear criminalizing salvia will put an end to the research needed in those areas. A dozen states currently have legislation on the books to regulate its use and more may soon follow suit.

WHAT NOW?

Many people have not heard of salvia. That is sure to change as more states move to ban it and media outlets sound the alarm bell in covering the issue. The popular “Dr. Phil” show recently highlighted the herb in a segment on teens and risky behavior. The show featured a teacher and her son, both who used it. Dr. Travis Stork, host of the show “The Doctors,” was a guest on Dr. Phil and warned that continued use in young people poses a threat because their brains are still developing. Depending on which side of the fence you stand on, salvia could be seen as a dangerous threat to society, a substance with promising medical potential or something to use recreationally. What happens from here remains to be seen.

WOMEN AND DRUGS: A DIFFERENT SET OF NEEDS

2008-11-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

The women we love are at risk. To be specific, several million of them. The very real threat they face is substance abuse and addiction. This demographic has been largely overlooked in the past when it comes to research and education. But as more women fall into the trap of addiction, researchers have had no choice but to sit up and listen.

Most drug abuse research has revolved around men, but in recent years the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) and other agencies have made women’s research a priority. What they are finding from lab, field and clinical research is that women have a different set of risk factors and often need different services while in drug treatment.

NIDA says women have different biological factors that play into use, abuse and addiction. Their progression toward addiction, and consequences they face are different. This means that prevention education and treatment options need to be more tailored to women.

TROUBLED LIVES AND BIOLOGY PLAY A ROLE

NIDA’s research shows women who use drugs or alcohol often have other serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Other problems include depression, making the need for women’s mental health initiatives imperative.

Many women who abuse drugs and/or alcohol have had troubled lives. According to NIDA, studies show that at least 70% of women users have been sexually abused by the age of 16. Most have had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs, the agency found. Other common traits in women users include low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and little self-confidence.

An interesting finding by NIDA shows the biological differences between men and women extend to drug use. Women can develop substance abuse problems quicker than men, according to the report. Also, many treatment programs have been historically aimed at men. Women face a different set of challenges and needs.

NIDA says women’s programs need to offer food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, parenting courses, medical and mental health services, therapy, legal assistance, education and job skills.

PREGNANCY AND HIV COMPOUND THE RISK

NIDA estimates that 4 million U.S. women, from all age groups, races and cultures, currently use drugs. Nine million have used illegal drugs in the past year, the study shows, and 3.7 million have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Most female drug abusers tend to use more than one drug, it says.

The agency is putting considerable effort behind research devoted to treatment and services for pregnant women and those with children. HIV/AIDS research is also needed for women because of health risks posed to them and their children. Women who share needles to inject drugs intravenously risk their health and can contract HIV or hepatitis.

NIDA said more than 28,000, or 70%, of AIDS cases among women are drug related. Fetuses, newborns and older children can unwittingly suffer the consequences of their mothers’ choices. Pregnant women who use drugs are at risk of having children who suffer from the following health problems:

HIV
AIDS
SIDS
Prematurity
Low birth weight
Stunted growth
Behavioral problems
Poor motor skills
Increased risk of becoming users

ONLINE PRESCRIPTIONS: DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING?

2008-11-26T11:19:00.001-08:00

Cheap generic drugs! Tramadol prescriptions online. No prescription needed.

These are the kind of headlines you’ll find when trolling the Internet for prescription drugs. A few clicks of the mouse and you can get virtually anything you want – powerful narcotic painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, uppers, weight management drugs and more.

While there are some sites that legitimately dispense drugs for patients who need them, the validity of others is questionable. The Internet has become a virtual marketplace for just about everything.

The convenience of buying from home appeals to many. But when it comes to prescription drugs, the government is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place.

BE WARY: NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY

In June 2004, the Government Accountability Office found during an investigation that agents were able to get most of the drugs they tried to get online, without a prescription. Some of these drugs even had special safety restrictions or were addictive, narcotic painkillers.

A report released this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says

"85% of web sites selling prescription drugs like OxyContin, Valium and Ritalin don’t ask for a prescription."

A major problem is that some of these sites dispense drugs to anyone, of any age. Also, addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, making it easy for addicts to get powerful controlled substances like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone and Fentanyl.

The broad reach of the Internet makes it difficult to police. There are also jurisdictional issues for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce state and federal laws. In order to be a valid prescription in the U.S., it must address a legitimate medical need, be written by a physician or other health care provider and be based on an actual doctor-patient relationship.

DANGER OF THE UNKNOWN

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs bought on the Internet can be outdated, contaminated, too potent, not strong enough, counterfeit or the wrong prescription altogether. The agency has dealt with customers who reported paying for drugs online and never receiving them, people who received the wrong prescription and others who took what they received and experienced worsening symptoms.

Some illegal sites dispensing drugs do so after requiring nothing more than for customers to fill out an online questionnaire. Some say they offer online “doctor consultations.” The FDA says drugs imported from outside the U.S. cannot be guaranteed for safety or validity.

In July 2004, the FDA said investigators bought Viagra, Lipitor and Ambien from a site called “Canadian generics,” and that all were fake and potentially dangerous. The FDA recommends buying only from state licensed online pharmacies in the U.S. When shopping for drugs online, the agency says to be wary in the following cases:

If there is no way to call the website pharmacy by phone
If prices are drastically lower than what competitors are offering
If no prescription is required

REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN VETERANS

2008-11-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

November 11, 2008 was Veterans Day in the United States, and as a nation honored the men and women who’ve served, there are countless others often forgotten: the homeless, addicted and mentally scarred veterans who’ve had trouble reintegrating back into society.

Celebrated in other parts of the country as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the holiday was established to celebrate the military service of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It is both a state and federal holiday in the U.S., and President George W. Bush has declared (Nov. 9-15 2008) as National Veterans Awareness Week.

There are an estimated 24.9 million veterans in the U.S. The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. says there are 200,000 homeless vets on the streets on any given night. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in 2006, more than 354,000 vets received care in clinics for substance abuse disorders.

WOUNDS OF BATTLE TAKE THEIR TOLL

Alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem for veterans and those on active duty. The stress of being away from family, combined with the mental and physical scars of battle, can take a toll on the strongest of soldiers. Many return home so psychologically scarred, they are unable to find employment and wind up homeless. The damage can lead to poverty, social isolation, broken marriages and alcohol and drug dependence.

For others, it’s the physical scars that lead veterans and active duty personnel to pain medication. Managing pain from combat wounds can also lead to addiction to opiate painkillers.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says studies have shown that people who experience stressful or traumatic events are more likely to abuse drugs or relapse into addiction. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is common among service men and women who see combat. PTSD is said to be a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The high rate of PTSD and substance abuse was first reported in war-related studies where as many as 75% of combat vets with lifetime PTSD also have alcohol or drug addiction.

DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOLDIERS DATES TO CIVIL WAR

Historically, there is some evidence that drug abuse among military men and women dates back to the Civil War. Though it has been controversial and is disputed to some degree, there are stories of “Soldier’s Disease” from the 1800s. Some say the earliest example of opiate addiction as a social problem came during the Civil War. Though documentation is sketchy, some historians believe widespread addiction resulted from widespread use of opiates to treat pain from war injuries. Some say soldiers were injected daily with morphine and by 1865, some 400,000 young war vets were addicted to it.

WHAT BECOMES OF ADDICTED VETS

The government has veteran’s programs in place to help those addicted to alcohol and drugs. But drug treatment for individuals who return home damaged often comes too late – once depression, isolation and addiction have taken their hold. Every Veteran’s Day, make sure to remember not only those who have served, but also those who’ve died on the battlefields and those who’ve returned home but managed to slip through the cracks.

BUPRENORPHINE CAN REQUIRE OPIATE DETOX

2008-11-25T13:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, drugs prescribed to help you have the opposite effect. Opiate narcotics such as buprenorphine are typically prescribed to treat opiate dependence.

The problem is, buprenorphine can be habit-forming as well, to the point where detox may be necessary. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the receptors in the brain and nervous system.

It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who have stopped taking other narcotics like OxyContin or heroin. The analgesic comes in two forms – tablets and a transdermal patch. Those who misuse the drug often inject it intravenously or inhale the crushed tablets through the nose. Strong warnings urge users not to crush or chew the sublingual tablets.

STUDY SHOWS MANY PATIENTS NOT WARNED ABOUT DANGERS

The Waismann Method, a world-renowned opiate dependency treatment, released a survey on buprenorphine, showing that 70% of responders taking the drug to treat an opiate dependency reported they became dependent on it and needed treatment to stop.

The study was undertaken after reports surfaced, saying buprenorphine is effective in treating addictions to prescription painkillers. Dr. Clifford Bernstein, the Waismann Method’s medical director, says he’s noticed an increase in patients needing to detox from buprenorphine, which had been prescribed to help them. Results also show that 53% of responders were told by their doctors that buprenorphine would cure their opiate addiction. On top of that, 50% reported they were never told by doctors that it could also be habit-forming.

PAINKILLER OVERDOSES ON THE RISE

The National Safety Council reported earlier this year that deaths from accidental drug overdoses are on the rise and that prescription painkillers can be blamed for many of the cases.

According to WebMD, the biggest rise in these accidental deaths is among men and women between the ages of 20 and 64. And many of these cases have been attributed to overdoses of prescriptions including buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl.

Buprenorphine is currently prescribed under the names Suboxone and Subutex. Because it can be prescribed in pill form in the privacy of a doctor’s office, it doesn’t carry the same stigma that standing in line at a methadone clinic does. Doctors must receive special certification to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate dependency.

They should be obligated to be up front with patients about its potential to lead to addiction. Otherwise, many of them will have false hope that their opiate addiction will be cured.

As a result of the Waismann study, Dr. Bernstein said doctors need to educate patients that buprenorphine is a replacement therapy for opiate addiction and is 50% opiate in composition. “Buprenorphine is being sold as a miracle cure that will put an end to opiate dependency, and it has been embraced as a social cure for reducing crime and for preventing the spread of disease,” he said.

DRUG ADDITCS WAIT FOR ROCK BOTTOM

2008-11-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

Many people believe that drug and alcohol addicts must hit “rock bottom” before seeking help to detox. You can’t get any lower than death, so why is it so many family members and friends wait to intervene? The truth is, every person addicted to alcohol, street drugs or prescribed opiates is already a step away from death. The ultimate bottom for addicts is always within reach. Whether it’s intentional overdose, accidental death, an allergic reaction or a result of risky behavior, addictions are by nature destructive and often lead to tragedy. The concept of a “bottom” is subjective at best. To one person, the bottom could be overdose. To another, it could be arrest. No one ever knows what someone else’s bottom is, oftentimes until it is too late. Once a pattern of abuse is established, loved ones should intervene. An addict who is forced to acknowledge the consequences of his or her actions early on may be motivated to seek help. Too often, loved ones step in to save the day but do so in the wrong way.

ADDICTS NEED HELP, NOT ENABLING

Helping addicts cover bills or giving them a place to stay while actively using is enabling them to stay sick. While it is often done out of love, it helps to keep them in denial about their addiction. This can cause them to delay treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and can be fatal. Addiction can ruin lives, derail careers and destroy relationships. It can lead to homelessness, arrest, legal trouble, divorce, estrangement among family members, depression, physical problems and death. Abuse and addiction is soaring among prescription drug users. Whether obtained legally or not, many drugs such as opiates are highly addictive and easily lead to tolerance and dependence. An opiate addict can have unpredictable mood swings, neglect responsibilities and relationships, lie and be manipulative and unreliable. Caught in a cycle of highs and lows, opiate addicts often try to recapture the euphoria they experienced when first using. This leads to tolerance, which cause them to take more to feel normal, and for many, ends in addiction.

EARLY INTERVENTION MAY GIVE ADDICTS A BETTER CHANCE

The fear of experiencing withdrawal from opiates may keep some addicts using. Defense mechanisms they employ include denial and rationalization of their use and its resulting behavior. When it comes to going “cold turkey,” for many addicts, the success rates aren’t encouraging. But no one is ever too far gone. Many addiction experts say there is a better chance at long-term recovery if treatment is sought early. It makes for an easier transition into sober living, they say. For those addicted to alcohol, street drugs and opiates like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, medically supervised detox may be necessary.

ABUSE RESISTANT PAINKILLERS ON THE HORIZON

2008-11-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

Several pharmaceutical companies are looking to corner the market on pain medication by developing tamper resistant products to treat chronic pain. On Nov. 13, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel reviewed the proposed Remoxy, a narcotic pain reliever that contains oxycodone. The Bloomberg news agency reports a majority of the panel of independent advisors to the FDA said Remoxy is less susceptible to abuse than Purdue Pharma LP’s Oxycontin. Remoxy, developed by Pain Therapeutics Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals Inc., is a capsule meant to be taken twice a day. Bloomberg said six companies are moving quickly to develop painkillers that can’t be crushed, snorted or injected by users seeking to get high. The advisory panel didn’t take a formal vote, Bloomberg reports, saying the FDA usually follows the panel’s recommendations but isn’t required to. The FDA is expected to decide if it will approve Remoxy by Dec. 10.

ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS ON THE RISE

The need for tamper resistant painkillers is evidenced by the soaring number of people abusing prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year. Many experts say the abuse of prescription drugs is quickly overtaking that of illegal “street” drugs. The black market for diverted prescription drugs is big business. Headlines in newspapers across the country are reflective of that. Young people are getting their hands on adults’ prescriptions and communities are trying to figure out how to curb abuse. The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has kept law enforcement officials busy, as related crimes have soared. In several communities across the country, doctors and nurses have been charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions. Pharmacy diversion is also a problem, as prescriptions for pills – often painkillers – have in some cases been filled fraudulently. Oftentimes, people develop an opiate dependency after taking legitimately prescribed medication for an injury, serious illness or after surgery. In other cases, people begin taking pills that have not been prescribed because of the belief they are safe because they came from a doctor. Those who abuse opiates and other drugs sometimes crush, dissolve or inject it to obtain a quick high. This practice could be fatal, leading to overdose or death.

THE FUTURE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS

Opiate abusers are looking for a great high. Some pharmaceutical companies are looking to prevent that. There’s no doubt huge markets exist for both. But the Bloomberg agency said almost half of panelists expressed concerns that evidence fails to show Remoxy will live up to its claims. If one or more painkillers are eventually developed and prove to be truly tamper resistant, it’s fair to say the manufacturers will capture a very large portion of the market.

Prolonged Opioid Use May Induced Constipation

2008-11-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

Constipation is one of the most commonly reported side effects by opiate users. Whether taking opiates at therapeutic levels or abusing them, many users report sluggish bowel movements. For many, constipation is a relatively mild and temporary condition easily treated with laxatives and changes in diet, exercise and water consumption.

Prolonged use of opiates including Fentanyl, OxyContin, Methadone and Suboxone can lead to serious blockages, that can lead to serious illness or death if not addressed. Harvard Health Publications say opiates don’t have serious side effects when used correctly, as prescribed by a doctor. However, they are expected to cause constipation.

That expectation of painful symptoms is one of the top reasons people avoid or abandon opioid use. For normal bowel function, doctors recommend exercise, increased fluids and dietary modifications, including more fiber. This, however, may not be enough for opiate users and addicts.

PROLONGED CONSTIPATION CAN BE FATAL

Opiates can interfere with normal elimination by relaxing the smooth muscle in intestines and preventing them from contracting and expelling waste. With regular use of opiates, stools can become rock hard, blocking the bowels. In severe cases, bowels can rupture, leading to sepsis or death.

Blockage can cause toxins to get trapped in the body, stressing the immune system and other functions. In “The Selfish Brain,” a book by Dr. Robert L. DuPont (with contributions by Betty Ford), DuPont says opiates are sometimes used to treat diarrhea because of their propensity to slow bowel function.

Symptoms of constipation include: abdominal bloating, swelling and cramping; straining to pass stool; pain, discomfort or blood with a bowel movement; nausea; weight loss; and decreased appetite.

What to look for with bowel obstructions:

Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting
Vomiting fecal matter
Fever/chills
Reluctance to eat
Changes in responsiveness

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug in April to help restore bowel function in those on long-term opiates. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injectable medication for opioid induced constipation.

A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR OPIATE ADDICTS

Constipation and the resulting abdominal pain can cause addicts to take more painkillers to quell the pain. This merry-go-round of use further complicates both the addiction and the constipation.

Because addicts tend to neglect their health anyway, many choose to ignore the pain and warning signs of serious health problems. Addicts also tend not to eat balanced diets or drink enough water – which also worsens the problem.

Many opiate addicts report intense cravings for sugar and carbohydrates, foods that can wreak havoc on an already-sluggish system. Other addicts report eating very little, so they don’t “kill” the buzz from drugs like heroin, oxycodone and methadone. Avoiding food can also worsen severe constipation.

Chronic opiate use and abuse can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. For serious cases, medical help may be necessary.

Prescription Drugs: Easier For Teens To Get Than Beer

2008-11-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

It used to be that underage teens looking for a high would use a fake ID to get alcohol or buy drugs like marijuana from classmates or friends. Today they have to look no further than their parents’ medicine cabinets.

Non-medical use of prescription drugs among teens is soaring and studies show some parents are enabling their kids. The problem stems from many factors, including easy access to painkillers and other drugs, and some teen abusers who feel “safe” using a legal drug prescribed by a doctor.

The abuse of prescribed drugs is a global issue, and researchers say teens are using stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, depressants or tranquilizers including Xanax, and opiate painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin.

In August, Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse released the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIII: Teens and Parents. The center surveyed 1,002 teens, ages 12-17, and 312 of their parents.

PARENTS CAN BE “PASSIVE PUSHERS,” STUDY SHOWS

Although most parents surveyed admit being concerned about raising a child in today’s society, the study found, many failed to take the necessary action to prevent them from smoking, drinking and taking drugs.
Most disturbingly, the study said, some parents enable the use, while others encourage it. Failure on the part of the parents was attributed to factors such as:

Not monitoring whereabouts of their children
Not safeguarding prescription drugs like painkillers
Not addressing drug problems at school or with their children’s friends
Not setting a good example in the home

These “problem parents,” as the study calls them, became “passive pushers” by having unsecured prescription drugs in the home. One-third of teens surveyed said drug abusers they know had access to pills at home. Another third said they could get prescription pills from friends or classmates.

“The ready availability of prescription drugs in the home may also be a contributing factor in the 46% increase over last year in the percentage of teens who say prescription drugs are the substance they can most easily obtain,” the study said.

WHO IS AT RISK AND WHAT CAN BE DONE

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year.

A 2007 study by the institute found Vicodin abuse by 2.7% of eighth-graders, 7.2% of tenth-graders and 9.6% of twelfth-graders. Abuse of Oxycontin was reported by 1.8% of eighth-graders, 3.9% of tenth-graders and 5.2% of twelfth-graders.

Risk factors for families and drug abuse include:

dynamics in the home.
level of parental involvement.
School and neighborhood environment.
friends of teens who abuse drugs or alcohol.

Drug experts say parents, grandparents, other relatives and caregivers must lock up all prescription drugs, keep an inventory of how many pills are in each container and discard unused pills in a safe way.

POISON CENTERS: OPIATES AND CHILDREN DON’T MIX

2008-11-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

Accidental overdose of children who ingest opiates is a growing concern for the medical establishment. Young children explore the world around them by using their senses to gather more information. Unfortunately, their little hands tend to pick up everything in their path. And it seems out of curiosity, whatever they find ends up in their mouths.
Even one pill can be deadly, and evidence supports that a growing number of children are getting their hands on their parents’ and grandparents’ pills. Cases have documented overdoses and accidental ingestion of powerful opiates including oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone and buprenorphine.
Experts say the rise in the number of cases can be linked to the soaring number of prescriptions being written by physicians.

KIDS OFTEN EXPOSED TO OPIATES IN THE HOME

The Annals of Emergency Medicine, in a September 2008 article, said the impact of accidental opiate ingestion by children is both “under recognized and poorly documented.”
The Annals of Emergency Medicine is a scientific journal for the American College of Emergency Physicians. In the article, the publication cites data from some poison centers that report to the RADARS system (Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance).
The report looked at children under 6 years old who were exposed to opiates including methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone and buprenorphine between January 2003 and June 2006.
Of the 9,179 children who were exposed to an opiate, 99% fully ingested the drug and 92% of the incidents occurred in their homes. Nearly all cases involved an opiate that was prescribed for an adult living in the house.
Of those children, the median age was 2, and 54% of those who ingested the opiate were boys.
Those cases resulted in 8 deaths, 43 incidents considered life threatening or disabling, and 214 incidents that cause prolonged effects but were not life threatening. Of those poisoning cases, 6,003 were blamed on hydrocodone and 2,036 were attributed to oxycodone.

EVEN ONE CAN KILL

Many of the cases involved a child who found a discarded or dropped prescription painkiller. Some children were able to open the child-resistant prescription bottles.
Highly addictive opiates including Lortab, Vicodin and OxyContin are prescribed to treat chronic, severe pain, but studies have shown that some physicians are more lenient when it comes to doling them out. Opiates like methadone and buprenorphine are used to treat opiate addicts.
The fast-acting opiates can depress a child’s respiratory system, causing them to stop breathing. This could lead to death or long-term, major health consequences.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Experts say there are ways to prevent accidental overdose and ingestion of powerful prescription painkillers in children.

All medications should be stored in a locked cabinet
Never leave pills out on counter tops, even in child-resistant containers. They are resistant but not childproof.
Make sure all relatives, friends and caregivers keep pills locked up.
When grandparents, relatives or friends visit, make sure their purses, coats and other belongings are stored out of reach of children.
When taking medication, make sure not to drop pills on the floors or counters. Quickly scan the area before putting medicine back in its locked cabinet.
Throw away all medications you no longer use.