Tag Archives: LA Times describes OxyContin as heroin

Perception On Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) In Alberta And British Columbia : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Perception on substance use disorders (SUDs) in Alberta and British Columbia :: Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate, heroin, fentanyl, drug addiction and recovery.

Substance Use Disorders or SUDs exist in various forms but they are usually characterized by a mental and physical need for a substance. This usually leads to compulsive seeking behaviors and impulsive actions. Psychology experts agree that addiction and abuse mostly stem from substance use disorders. Well, despite the numerous studies and professional’s agreement, most individuals still perceive addiction as a personal failure of immoral people.

This perception isn’t helped by the policies in place where the solution to substance addiction is confinement despite the fact that treatment has been proven to be a way more effective solution to reducing the abuse rates. By confining instead of treating, the perception that addicts are lawbreakers is perpetuated and only strengthens the stigma.

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The people’s minds can’t be changed overnight, be we can induce a change in the feelings, views, and beliefs of the society.

One way to do this is to share what you’re going through instead of hiding behind false facades. By being honest and open, the community will view you as an individual who needs help rather than a criminal. When people around you start seeing you as an individual who’s struggling, they may change their misconceptions and beliefs and probably even offer compassion and support.

Another way to break the SUD stigma is to conduct some research on these disorders and understand the condition completely. By educating yourself on the reality of substance use disorders, you will not only comprehend what you’re dealing with and the best way to approach it, but you can also enlighten those around you regarding the reality of substance addiction and abuse.

People Living with Opiate Drug and Heroin addiction in Calgary, Alberta

The society is always too quick to label and judge addicts as miscreants who only need to straighten up and act right. Most individuals are too ignorant and content in these beliefs that they don’t take the time to learn the reality of chemical dependency and the challenges faced by addicts when recovering. Recovery is easier said than done. It is a long task that’s extremely hard without proper assistance and support.

If you or your loved one is struggling on the road to recovery, you can contact Options Okanagan for the much-needed guidance or help in order to make the task less burdensome.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Heroin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opioid Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Advice For Supporting A Loved One Fighting Opioid Addiction In Alberta And British Columbia : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Advice for supporting a loved one fighting opioid addiction in Alberta and British Columbia :: Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, drug addiction and recovery.

As much as we’d like to act like it doesn’t exist, opioid addiction is a serious epidemic in North America. More and more people are finding themselves in the trap of this dangerous drug, and it might even be someone you know. If this is the case and you are the person they ultimately turn to for help, do you know where to start?

Make no mistake; this is going to be a very tough challenge. But it is critical that you remain the stable part of their recovery through giving them the support and consideration they need. And to help you be that support system for your loved one, consider the following advice.

Heroin addiction and Methadone abuse and addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Advice For Helping A Loved One Beat Their Opioid Addiction

1. Don’t Support Their Habit

There is a fine line between helping a loved one and simply enabling them. For example, lending them money puts them in the position to maintain their habit. And sometimes just giving them a place to stay is enough to keep on the wrong path. The fact is that they need to be in a professional facility without money or opportunities to call a dealer.

2. Get Help

There are no rules that state you have to help a loved one by yourself. In fact, you can reach out to local addiction support groups which can make a world of difference.

People Living with Opiate Drug and Heroin addiction in Calgary, Alberta

3. Encourage The Right Path

You know your friend or family member is better off in rehab, which is why you should steer them in that direction. At the same time, let them know you are always there for whatever they need.

4. Get Educated

Even though addictions might all sound the same, they have different consequences. Take the time and learn about opioid addiction specifically if you really want to help a loved one get better.

5. Remind Them Of The Bigger Picture

This is not the time for judgments or critique. Instead, it’s a time to focus on getting better and looking towards the future, which is exactly what you should do with your friend or family member. Keep them focused on the opportunities that are waiting.

Of course, recovering from an addiction is not going to happen overnight, but you can be part of your loved one’s journey towards recovery by using the above-mentioned advice.

We have a variety of treatment options that are tailored to each patient. You don’t have to live with a painkiller addiction. Give us a call today at Options Okanagan 855.335.0331 today and let us help you with your painkiller (Opioids) addiction. We’re waiting to hear from you.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Heroin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opioids Heroin Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Opioid Prescriptions After Overdosing In Alberta And British Columbia : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Opioid prescriptions after overdosing in Alberta and British Columbia :: Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, drug addiction and recovery.

According to a new study, 9 out of 10 people who have overdosed on prescription opioid painkillers have had an opioid prescribed to them after an overdose. Of these overdoses, 70 percent of the overdoses are due to ignorance on the doctors part which results in the patient being prescribed the same medication after they’ve already taken an overdose of said medication.

Per a recent study in The Annals Of Internal Medicine, in spite of the fact that the opioids were prescribed to help relieve chronic pain, the doctors are prescribing the same medications time and again which suggests that the actual pain conditions aren’t clearly understood prior to prescribing medications. This, in turn, can lead to overdoses.

Heroin addiction and Methadone abuse and addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Doctors are prescribing more painkillers than ever before. They’re inundating patients bodies with painkillers in lieu of addressing the underlying issues that are causing the pain in the first place. As many as 93 percent of those who have taken a non-fatal dose of painkillers have later been prescribed more painkillers for their condition. Those who have taken an overdose and are again prescribed painkillers are much more likely to have another overdose within two years of the first incident.

According to The Center For Disease Control, a recently published article in Prevention states that opioid-induced overdoses have, at long last, reached an all-time high. This has resulted in approximately half a million deaths since 2011 alone.

People Living with Opiate Drug and Heroin addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Addiction Treatment Options

When it comes to prescription opioid painkillers, there are many ways to manage and treat pain and prevent overdose. From over-the-counter remedies which treat pain and aren’t addicting, by other means there are a variety of ways to treat pain that aren’t addicting. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are two prime examples of options.

If you, or someone that you love, are struggling with an opioid addiction, it’s time for some serious help. Consider what causes the abuse, what is the root cause of the pain? How can this be resolved?

We have a variety of treatment options that are tailored to each patient. You don’t have to live with a painkiller addiction. Give us a call today at Options Okanagan 855.335.0331 today and let us help you with your painkiller addiction. We’re waiting to hear from you.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Heroin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Heroin Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Big Pharma Made Billions By Knowingly Creating The Prescription Drug Epidemic : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Big Pharma made billions by knowingly creating the prescription drug epidemic :: Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, drug addiction and recovery.

The Los Angeles Times has conducted an investigation that revealed that the pharmaceutical company behind OxyContin, the opiate painkiller, was aware that the drug is highly addictive but still continue pushing it anyway.

The pills started being produced by Purdue Pharma over 20 years ago, claiming that it helps relieve severe and chronic pain for 12 hours continuously, which is over two times the time that generic drugs could. The representatives of the maker of the drug promised doctors that their patients would just need to take 2 pills daily to experience relief from pain for 24 hours.

However, this was not true, and Purdue Pharma was aware of this, according to the facts by the LA Times.

Heroin addiction and Methadone abuse and addiction in Calgary, Alberta

The results were both devastating and excruciating. OxyContin usually wears off hours much earlier in most patients and besides their underlying pain recurring, they also suffer from drug withdrawal symptoms.

The LA Times describes OxyContin as heroin’s “chemical cousin”, and that patients that depend on it usually also experience an intense craving for the drug in case it wears off early.

The LA Times obtained thousands of pages of confidential documents from Purdue and learned that executives have been aware of the problem for decades.

Clinical trials held before the drug even hit the market revealed that most patients were not actually getting 12 hours of relief. Since the drug was launched in 1996, the company has received additional evidence, including reports from its sales representatives, complaints from doctors, and even independent research studies, the LA Times reveals.

People Living with Opiate Drug and Heroin addiction in Calgary, Alberta

The company also held fast to its claim of 12-hour relief to protect its revenue. The market dominance of OxyContin and the high price reaching as high as several hundred dollars a bottle hinge on the 12-hour duration. In absence of this, the drug offers little advantage over cheaper options.

The company dominated the market and achieved a high asking price a bottle, but this all depended on the claim that it actually relieved pain for 12 hours. It became the best-selling painkiller in the country reaping revenues of a staggering $31billion.

However, since the drug failed to last the 12 hours it promised in most patients, doctors started prescribing it in shorter intervals, which resulted in somewhat of a company panic. Reps from Purdue were mobilized and one manager actually encouraged her team to put an end to the trend and stated that the shorter prescription time interval would have to be nipped in the bud according to the documents that the LA Times reviewed.

Reps from the company encouraged doctors to prescribe higher doses of OxyContin instead of shorter intervals, but that creates a higher risk of overdose or even death according to the LA Times. Data the paper reviewed reveals that over 50 percent of long-term patients are on doses that are dangerously high.

The consequences of this have been serious on the broad scale. As pointed out by the LA Times, OxyContin is being held responsible for triggering the opioid epidemic the country faces that has claimed about 190,000 lives since 1999.

The painstaking report by the LA Times involves internal documents from Purdue spanning 3 decades, from government investigations and court cases. Journalists even interviewed pain treatment, pharmacology, and prescription medication addiction experts.

One patient, speaking on the record, started taking OxyContin to deal with chronic back pain after being thrown off a horse when she was just 14. She experienced the symptom described in the report.

She experienced some relief for the first 2 to 3 hours, but it quickly became a nightmare once the drug wore off.

She stated that she would be constantly checking the clock to know when it was time to medicate. She stated that her entire nervous system was on red alert and described the experience as being in hell.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Heroin Addiction in Calgary, Alberta

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Heroin Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331