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 […]
Caffeine, E-Cig news, Zohydro and other Opioid news and death
Coffee and cigarettes have long been a part of the morning ritual … now we have concerns about actual coffee/caffeine addiction.
E-cig news includes a study earlier this year, finding cancer indications like tobacco, especially snuff, from using e-cigarettes. However, the study used specially prepared lung cells, not humans. And the FDA has released its draft regulations for e-cigarettes, prohibiting their sale to minors, requiring warning labels, and asking that new device be submitted to the FDA for testing and evaluation.
Several more stories about opioids and heroin. Peaches Geldof, the daughter of Irish rocker Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and founder of Band-Aid , has died unexpectedly of a heroin overdose. Also there are a number of stories about pregnant women using and being addicted to prescribed opioids as well as heroin. And the protests continue about Zohydro, the new Vicodin-like medication that is 10 times stronger, and contains no acetaminophen.
Opiates and Pain, Copenhagen Model, Italian Treatment Community, E-cigs
A look at chronic pain treatment with opioids, and a detailed look into the opiate and pain background in CNS’s new Beyond Opiates video, We talk about Zohydro, a new stronger hydrocodone, Italy’s interesting treatment model that is a large community that farms, grows grapes and makes wine, and has enough dedicated runners to send a group to the NYC Marathon. And “re-normalizing smoking behavior with e-cigarettes. PODCAST.
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.
Update on Prescription Opioid Use
New statistics from the DEA show a six-fold (600%) increase in the use of opioids, primarily oxycontin and vicodin, over the last ten years. We discuss this trend which we have reported, and the relationship to pain management.
An App for Craving, Inhalable Caffeine & More on Pain Meds
A smartphone app to monitor cravings– a new tool for relapse prevention? Also the newest legal drug – inhalable caffeine … and more on prescription drug use debate (updated.)