Does Oxycontin wear off too quickly?
Dr. Inaba, One of my students sent this LA Times Investigation article that claims oxycontin wears off hours early and does not sustain pain relief the advertised 12 hours. I have not heard about this report, published in May, 2016. What is your take on it? Is it true Oxycontin doesn’t last the full 12 […]
Silent Epidemic: Addiction In Southern Oregon
Recently our very own Dr. Inaba was involved with a news piece done by Jefferson Public Radio. Like many areas in the country, southern Oregon is experiencing what public health officials describe as an epidemic of addiction to heroin and prescription opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin and OxyContin. One symptom of this epidemic has been a sharp […]
Trends in Drug Use and Treatment
A look back at 2012, and what 2013 might hold in drug and addiction issues, and treatment … including the continuing stories of the new synthetics, aka bath salts, incense and potpourri — also the continued increase in heroin use as pharmaceuticals become more costly and harder to get. And where are we in the evolution of treatment?
Pregnancy and Opioids
Psychoactive drugs cross … the placental blood barrier – so can affect a baby in utero. … hospitals have recently seen a large increase in babies born addicted to opioids, and the profound consequences that follow. We discuss this issues, options for detox and treatment, also the use and misuse of methadone.
Heroin seen replacing Rx drugs across all ages and classes
Heroin has become more popular recently, because the most sought-after prescription drugs are … much more expensive, and inexpensive heroin, especially from Mexico is filling the gap. We look at the “War on Drugs” started by Nixon, inreaction to the grwoing use of heroin in the 60s, and the current changes in demographics, with the realization that heroin is not just the drug of the inner city, the poor and disenfranchised, but rather crosses all levels of society.
OxyContin pulled in Canada
Canada has ordered OxyContin removed from pharmacies, in response to the continuing abuse of this powerful opioid. Many groups, including First Nations members with high numbers of addicted persons among them, are warning that the move will push people to more dangerous drugs such as heroin. We look at the OxyNeo replacement drug, what its implications are, and related aspects, including whether doctors are under- or over- prescribing powerful and highly addictive pain medications.