Drug Dependence and the stigmata

Do you know how frustrating it is to chase after something you will never catch and hold on too? You continue to spend money during this rampage for something that will only last so shortly. The results are far more devastating to the  individuals and his or her family than you could ever imagine. A roller coaster ride filled with highs and lows,  maltreatment of loved ones and self. Relationships are no more as trust has wasted. You soon run out of money to find  yourslef selling your personal items or even self for this one high. You find yourself in legal trouble, you lose your  license. You think life is over don't you? What is your idea of what this individual looks like? or what job they have or don't have? What type of person is this?

This individual can be you, me, a banker, executive, doctor, nurse, lawyer, homeless person, bottom line is it can be anyone from anywhere no matter who or where they come from. Addiction doesn't know class, race or religion.

People addicted to pain pills DO NOT want to live this way, would you? You have 3-4 kids, a family, great job and you find yourself developing tolerance for pain pills prescribed for your bad back pain. Of course you weren't told by your doctor that these medications are so addictive that it could ruin your life and your families life! The doctor just kept prescribing you the pills because when patients go to doctors we expect something in return for our visit and often times payment of a "copay".

What people don't realize is that there is a huge stigma on patients suffering opioid addiction and they don't want to seek help because they fear what people will say and or do. Patients with addiction are often treated differently by the doctors they see in an emergency, nurses, and pharmacists. TO many, they are seen as drug addicts. To me I see them as a person whos mind and body was suseptible to a chemical which is additive and tried to ruin their life.

Addiction Treatment Map of Resources

An addiction treatment map created using Google Maps.

Recovery Resources

I came across this site which provides recovery resources by State. The site allows you to search by Substance, Specialty and Financial and Resource Type.

Click Here to go to Resource

Deaths from Opiates in Rhode Island

Four more people have died of suspected drug overdoses in Rhode Island in the last week, bringing the total this year to 49, according to the state health director last Wednesday. The number of people who have died of accidental overdoses in the first eight weeks of 2014 is about 2 X the normal rate. Overdose deaths have been associated with fentanyl mixed with heroin. In Rhode Island in 2009-2010 most deaths from accidental drug overdose were Men between the ages of 40-49. In 2011 Men between ages of 50-59. In Rhode Island in 2009-2012 deaths from accidental overdose was more common among Women  between the ages of 50-59. According to data most have been associated with opioids alone and not alcoholic. Fatal overdoses from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic proportions, according to a new report from the CDC. In 2008, the report showed, drugs like OxyContin and Vicodin claimed almost 5,000 lives. That's almost three times as many lives as in 1999, the Associated Press reported. Fatal overdoses are especially common among middle-aged men, whites, and American Indians, according to reports

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Don't Judge them, they don't want to be that way either.

When I say don't judge them I am speaking of patients that may come into the hospital or office who seem to have an addiction to opiates for example. This terrible drug is affecting our youth, teenagers, adolescents and even adults. What we have seen in society is a drastic change in the price of drugs.

You can find that the Extra Strength Vicodin goes for about $5.00 per pill in Wisconsin. Oxycontin 45 MG for $65.

In one day a a young child or adolesent may spend 100-200/drugs. Simultaneoiusly they are ruining their body and hope of getting better, digging deeper into depression as they feel hopeless in a rollercoaster ride through hell. But honestly they don't want all this to go on. They want to feel normal, they want to have friends, they want to have back there trusting parents. They want to again enjoy the hobbies and activities they used to enjoy.

However it isn't easy for them. They are addicted to a drug and just as addicting smoking is that you can't stop addiction to opioids is probably worse. There is a physical dependence and a mental dependence.

There are multiple choices for treatment including outpatient care programs and inpatient detoxes. Despite having gone through detox many of these patients are just going to turn around and pick up again as they are again exposed to the same individuals they were connected with previously, lack self esteem and it is easier for them to say yes than to say no.

People need not judge these individuals, but help them. Think for example where many of these opiate addicted patients first built up this tolerance and dependence? It many times than not from their Orthopedic Surgeon or primary care doctor. They didn't have good followup and doctors lack knowledge of side effects of opioids and the damaging effects it may have on the lives of its victims, patients and families. There is hope though. There is alot of help out there. Good Bless you if you are struggleing.