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!

Drug Use & The Celebrity Effect

In a culture obsessed with celebrity, it seems only natural to discuss the effect of Hollywood drug abuse on our nation’s populous. From tabloid magazines to the evening news, salacious tales of partying, excess and dependency only fuel our ever-growing infatuation with the “elite” population class gracing the world stage. 

For many people, celebrities make easier companions than neighbors and friends. Their personal lives on display, many gravitate towards these individuals out of empathy and self-identification. Their fame and stories offer escape from a world perhaps plagued in routine - We discuss their downfalls and triumphs as we might a relative’s – We are proud, disappointed, engaged and consumed.

As a society, we tend to emulate those in the limelight. Unfortunately, some of us have a difficult time separating the fantasy from reality. “Why can’t I be desirable, talented, beautiful and rich, whilst nurturing a mild to moderate prescription drug habit? Seems to work for actor/singer/producer/director Jane Doe Esq., III – Why not me?!”

The issue here is not celebrity, so much as how we consume and digest it. Not every action, outfit and hairstyle need be analyzed, adored and replicated. As humans, we are afforded the ability and right to make ourselves. Though imitation certainly serves as a guide towards many positive paths and experiences (drive, perseverance, accomplishment), it is imperative that we distinguish and learn from celebrity indiscretions rather than absorb as commodity.

If we must emulate our celebrities, we must also acknowledge the fact that drug and alcohol abuse within celebrity culture offers little hope of long-term happiness. By altering the mindset from “glorify” to “study”, we can hope to learn from the trials and tribulations of these individuals rather than repeat them.

Above It All

Searching for drug addiction treatment in Los Angeles, CA? Contact Above it All treatment center today! With a team of seasoned substance abuse specialists available to address your individual needs, you can count on Above it All to have you on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call now!

Summer Drug Abuse Statistics

SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) recently released two studies pertaining to substance abuse. The first report shows that adolescents ages 12 – 17 are much more likely to begin using drugs and alcohol during the summer months. The second specifies that the rate of increase in drug-related ED (emergency department) visits lowered from a yearly average rate of 18.2% between 2005 – 2008, to 6.1% between 2009 and 2010. 

Statistics from the first study show that, on an average June or July day, over 11,000 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 choose to experiment with alcohol for the first time – the only comparable month being December. The daily average number throughout the rest of the year typically ranges somewhere between 5,000 – 8,000.

June and July also takes the cake for first time cigarette use, with an average of 5,000 adolescents per day; a pattern, which retains similar patterns in regard to cigar and smokeless tobacco use.

When it comes to marijuana, the study shows that more than 4,500 adolescents begin using each day throughout the same two-month period, as opposed to the 3,000 – 4,000 youths tallied during non-summer months.

The reasoning is quite simple: More free time + diminished supervision = increased likelihood for exposure and experimentation with illicit substances. Parents are thus encouraged to embrace every available opportunity to discuss the dangers and consequences of substance abuse with their children, alongside means and methods to avoid it. The more informed your child is, the more likely they will be to make the right decision.

If you are struggling to address a teenage drug or alcohol abuse issue, Above It All treatment center is the place to call! With a team of seasoned substance abuse specialists available to answer your questions and concerns, you can count on Above It All to have your teen sober, healthy and on the fast track to success in no time. Call today!

Effects of Parental Drug Abuse on Kids & Teens

Families work to guide children in social roles and etiquette. When a parent who is supposed to nurture a family becomes emotionally and physically removed, the children are affected in a variety of behavioral, emotional and social ways. In this entry, we will discuss the effects of parental drug abuse on children and teens. 

Health

The effects of addiction and drug use can begin in the womb. Prenatal exposure to drugs is often associated with an array of developmental disorders, miscarriage, infant death, learning disabilities, premature birth, and a number of psychological and metal issues in the effected child.

Development

Drug abuse in parents serves to hinder growth in effected children. Disruptive attitudes, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and behavioral problems are all quite common. Traumatic incidents caused by addicted parents may lead to emotional, social and behavioral development issues. Children may begin alienating themselves from both peers and parents, causing difficulties in social situations later in life.

Relationships

Parents must set a good example for their children in regard to drug and alcohol abuse. Addicted parents often fail to provide proper nurturing to their children due to excess stress, family conflicts and a lack of guidance.

As with any relationship, communication between parent and child is vital to reciprocal respect and understanding between both parties. Many kids and teens experience difficulty maintaining honest and transparent relationships with addicted parents, causing only heartache and resentment in later life.

Academics

Kids with addicted parents often lose academic motivation. Grades may plummet, behaviors may tank, and the trouble may loom. A lack of guidance and/or involvement from the parents can result in psychological issues affecting academic performance.

Confusion and insecurity are also common in children with addicted parents. Many feel threatened or frightened by the behaviors exemplified by those who should be setting the example. As such, many children end up working well below their potential.

If somebody you love is struggling with a drug addiction, Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help your family back on track towards the healthy, happy life you deserve. 

Pain Pills – Long Term Abuse Effects

From OTC products like ibuprofen to prescription opioids, pain pill abuse is rampant throughout the United States. The effects associated with these substances vary based on the user’s general health, medication type, and an assortment of additional factors.

Tolerance

Tolerance is defined by the body’s response to continued use of a particular substance. When ingested regularly, a tolerance to pain pills will ultimately increase, resulting a diminished effect.

Addiction & Abuse

Medications in the opiate family are able to cause both psychological and physical states of addiction. Addiction and abuse are among the largest risks associated with long-term use of prescription pain pills.

Stomach Bleeding

OTC medications from the NASID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) family, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, heighten the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal region. Individuals at risk for stomach bleeding are typically those who abuse alcohol or NSAIDs, or older adults.

Constipation

Perhaps the most common side effect associated with opiate abuse; constipation occurs once intestinal movements are slowed. Treatments for this type of condition typically include laxatives and supplements.

Liver Damage

Excess pain medication abuse will ultimately result in long-term liver damage, up to and including cirrhosis. Once an individual hits this mark, available treatment options become limited.

Warning

The number of potential outcomes associated with long-term pain pill addiction is many. In order to avoid these types of consequences, it’s important that addicts consult with a California drug rehab specialist to devise a proper plan of action. 

OxyContin – Fact & Fiction

When it comes to prescription drug abuse, perhaps no other drug holds the public eye more often than OxyContin. As a pain-killer, the drug has gained a solid reputation for providing quick and effective relief to patients suffering from an array of conditions, ranging from post-surgical recovery to arthritis. As a street drug, the same effects have unfortunately made OxyContin the epicenter of a long-spanning drug war, with an assortment of myths and misconceptions. What follows are a few of the more common myths associated with OxyContin use, and the facts behind them.

Myth - OxyContin is not addictive

Fact – Just because substance happens to be manufactured by a respected pharmaceutical company does not imply that it does not hold the potential for addictive behaviors.

The active ingredients found in OxyContin are actually opiates – the same type of substances that make up drugs such as Vicodin and heroin.

Myth – Injecting or snorting OxyContin is no worse than ingesting the drug orally.

Fact – The majority of OxyContin overdoses occur in individuals who inject or snort it.

OxyContin is manufactured with the intent of being a time-release substance. When a user takes the drug orally, OxyContin works to emit its effects over a period of hours. When the drug is snorted or injected, the opiates within the drug are released into the body at the same time. As such, the risks of overdose and death are heightened exponentially.

Myth - OxyContin is illegal

Fact – Due to its success in treating chronic pain, OxyContin is still legally prescribed by physicians.

The legality of OxyContin is often questioned due to addicts who forge physician signatures, steal pills from medicine cabinets, and purchase the drug illegally for an individual with a valid prescription.

Myth – The withdrawal process is not so bad

Fact – Just as with other substances in the opiate family, the withdrawal symptoms associated with OxyContin withdrawal often pose a great deal of psychological and physical discomfort.

Common symptoms include:

-Nausea

-Depression

-Suicidal thoughts

-Muscle aches

-Anxiety

Perhaps the most concerning symptom of OxyContin withdrawal stems from the heightened risk of relapse. Without the proper guidance and support, many addicts will often find themselves off the wagon and assuming the same routine.