California Senators Urge Purdue Pharma To Name Suspect Physicians

Two California senators are calling on OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to name physicians suspected of liberal prescription practices.

The action was made in response to a recent LA Times article describing a 10 year effort by the corporation to I.D. problematic prescribers of its highly addictive and potent pain killer. Purdue Pharma was able to amass a database of over 1,800 physicians who showed signs of reckless prescribing.

Purdue has appeared to keep its concerns to a minimum, referring a total of 154 cases to medical regulators and authorities since the investigation began in ’02. Legal counsel for Purdue said that the decision as to whether or not to refer a physician was “essentially a judgment call” determined on a case-by-case basis following corporate review.

President of the Medical Board of California, Sharon Levine expressed her approval of the senators’ request and is hoping for Purdue compliance.

“We would be thrilled to have that information,” Levine said. She also stated that although the database would likely lack physical evidence of wrongdoing, that it could offer some valuable leads down the road.

As seen in many other areas of the country, California is struggling with a prescription drug death issue – deemed an “epidemic” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Purdue’s introduction of a tamper-resistant OxyContin in 2010 sought to make the drug more difficult to abuse. In a recent study performed by Purdue, maximum-strength OxyContin prescriptions – favored by addicts – was shown to have plummeted by a whopping eighty percent following the new pill’s introduction.

Coincidence? We think not.

If you’re struggling with a pain pill addiction, Above it All Addiction Treatment Center is the place to turn. With a team of seasoned rehabilitation specialists available to assess and address your individual needs, you can count on Above it All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call today!

Just the Facts – Substance Abuse Counseling

A twofold process, substance-abuse counseling takes the patient through physical withdrawal before immersing them in psychological rehabilitation and therapy. This approach is commonly used with patients struggling with alcohol, street drug and prescription drug addiction. 

Criteria

Substance abuse counseling is suitable for patients struggling with all levels and types of addiction. Substance abuse problems are often placed into two similar but separate levels: Substance abuse and substance dependence. Though both levels affect an addict’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis, they differ by way of the impact on the user’s mental, physical and emotional health.

A patient struggling with dependence to a substance has developed an emotional and physical need for the drug. Many experience withdrawal symptoms after only a short period of abstinence. Tolerance to the substance also plays a role in how much the individual must use in order to achieve the desired affect. 

Both abuse and dependence often result in health and legal issues. Friends and family may show concern and become frustrated with the on-going use. When an individual meets these criteria, counseling is often recommended. 

Types

Counseling for substance abuse commonly occurs in one of three ways: group counseling, outpatient counseling and inpatient counseling.  Group and outpatient counseling offer patients the ability to attend therapy sessions and return to normal life. The inpatient format requires patients to reside at the designated facility throughout treatment. 

Purpose

People take drugs for an array of reasons, including pain relief, recreation and escape. Substance abuse counseling explores the reasoning behind use to an effort to help them develop alternative means to cope. Patients are typically asked to share their feelings surrounding substance abuse, while being offered guidance and support. Group counseling provides addicts with the ability to relate to others with similar experiences, while building support and camaraderie along the way.