Pain Killer Panic ?!
Are we overreacting to the issue of increased use/abuse of pain medication, and we are perhaps still under-treating pain?. We try to look at the bigger issues of what is pain, why does it persist, and even if abuse numbers are low, what are the implications for the addiction-sensitive population.
The Downer Cycle
After decades of uppers use, we are heading in a “downer cycle” with significant abuse and ODs being reported especially for prescription drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin, but also heroin, methadone and and even the opioid treatment drug suboxone. We look at the trend and some of the implications.
More Training to Prescribe Opioids
The Obama administration recently proposed legislation which will require doctors to undergo training before being permitted to prescribe powerful painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin. The White House is absolutely committed to legislation that will make prescriber education mandatory, according to Gil Kerlikowske, the White Hojuse’s top drug policy adviser. The move would require Congress to […]
Athlete’s long-term relation with pain meds & Stop switch
Professional athlete’s high use/abuse of pain medications often continues long after they retire. Also a new study of the brain’s “Stop” switch and damage to it caused by early drug use, especially nicotine, can lead to a greater susceptibility to addictions in general.
Downers and dopamine
Downers especially oxycontin and vicodin are becoming the new drugs of choice for young people, and increasingly, suburbanites. Viewed as less dangerous than heroin, though they are in fact becoming the new gateway TO heroin.
Downers and the cycle of drugs of choice
With several states are reporting a record number of deaths from opiod overdoses, and increased misuse of prescription drugs, we look at the cycle of drug-use, and what appears to be renewed period of interest in downers, both heroin and prescription drugs.