The Hills star Heidi Pratt has gotten a lot of guff for her plastic surgery ventures of late. But the new focus of those conversations have turned to her recovery from surgery. Specifically, friends of hers co-cast members have voiced concerns (or would it better be termed “catty gossip”) that Heidi is relying a bit too heavily on her painkillers post surgery.

While one show insider is reported as describing Heidi as a “shell of her former self,” Heidi’s reps are reportedly firing back that these comments are “completely ridiculous.”

But one source says that Heidi has been exhibiting increasingly odd behavior of late. The source describes Heidi and Spencer, her husband, as having “crossed over to this bizarre place.”

Recognizing Painkiller Addiction

Agreeing to undergo 10 plastic surgery procedures in one days is admittedly extreme, but is it really a sign of painkiller addiction? No, say Heidi’s reps, but sources are saying that the painkiller abuse is just one of her odd quirks that happened as a result of the strange decision to undergo so much surgery in order to get media attention.

Says the source: “They are addicted to the fame. As The Hills winds down and people start to care less, they are desperate to get back that high.”

The Signs and Symptoms of Painkiller Addiction

Attention-seeking behavior is not exactly a sign or a symptom of painkiller addiction. It’s not even a sign of drug abuse. Alcohol can cause people to behave loudly or obnoxiously in public (hence the “drunk in public” citation) and people can make poor decisions under the influence, but many who choose opiates and other sedative-type drugs like prescription painkillers are just as likely to want to blend into the woodwork as land on the cover of a tabloid.

There are more definitive ways to determine whether or not someone you care about is abusing prescription painkillers. Painkillers are opiate-based and include prescription drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, hydrocodone, Percocet and others. They generally sedate those who take them, and those who take too many or take them too often may appear “out of it” or tired. They may “nod out” and be unable to focus on conversations and appear unfocused on what they are doing. They may forget things that were said or commitments they made. Hand-eye coordination is impaired and as a result accidents of all kinds can occur. Financial issues soon develop because prescription pills are not cheap and those who are taking copious amounts of them are rarely able to go to work every day or do well if they do.

These kinds of behaviors when they are uncharacteristic and not attributable to anything else can signify painkiller addiction in your loved one’s life.

Treating Painkiller Addiction

Painkiller addiction is best treated at an holistic inpatient drug rehab that specializes in opiate addiction and detox. Here you can receive the medical care you need to make sure that your physiological symptoms are taken care of as well as the psychological dependence. Call now for more information.

Yet another doctor has had a run-in with the law but this one went further than just having a few too many patients on prescription painkillers or overmedicating someone who eventually succumbed to a drug overdose. Lawrence Carl Runke, 66, of Arizona decided to take his pharmaceutical knowledge and apply it to an illegal pharmacy. For his trouble, he got himself five years in prison and four years of probation.

The Charges: Illegal Painkiller Prescriptions

Runke was found guilty of 12 criminal counts. These included charges like money laundering, sale of prescription drugs, possession of prescription drugs for sale and possession of dangerous drugs for sale as well as conspiracy.

Where did Runke get the drugs to fill the prescriptions at his illegal pharmacy? The same place many Americans go to get their illegal painkillers when they can’t get a legal prescription in the United States: India. The way prosecutors tell it, Runke purchased drugs for his pharmacy, Global Medicines, LLC, from unapproved Indian suppliers and then resold them here.

Runke’s medical license was suspended long ago and he was never licensed as a pharmacist in Arizona. This is what originally started the investigation in 2005. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Phoenix Police Department worked together on this one and found that Runke’s little business was potentially creating serious health problems for his clients.

The risks that Runke took with patients’ health certainly wasn’t hurting his bank account: he generated over $1.5 million dollars since 2005.

Arizona and Illegal Prescription Painkillers

Arizona, it seems, is a new hotbed for these illegal pharmacies. With the spate of busts recently that close down illegal pharmacies, Arizona is making quite a name for itself.

Another Arizona doc, Dr. Albert Szu Yun Yeh, was shut down last year with 14 felony counts for opening a clinic (only on Tuesdays) that managed to fill 100 prescriptions weekly for drugs like OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. He wrote the prescriptions, in some cases, without even seeing the patient and refilled them without checkups; both of these actions are practices that violate the Controlled Substances Act when opiate painkillers are in question.

Fighting Prescription Drug Fraud in Arizona

Due to the many arrests and illicit pharmacies recently as well as the fact that 50 percent of people entering drug rehab are doing so for prescription drug addiction, law enforcement has been working harder than ever to fight the problem. They have built a statewide database to track painkiller and stimulant prescriptions that are often abused, making it more difficult for an individual to receive multiple prescriptions for the same or similar drugs from different doctors and even harder for doctors to prescribe copious amounts of addictive drugs to hundreds of patients.

Databases have worked to limit prescription drug fraud in some states and is a good preventative measure, but it’s not enough to eradicate the problem of prescription drug addiction. Drug rehab for prescription drug addiction is the only way to break free if you have been struggling with painkiller or stimulant addiction. Call now for more information.

From Vietnam to the Gulf War, Desert Storm to standard deployment overseas, thousands upon thousands of men and women have returned home to the United States having lived through devastating attacks. Whether it’s a physical malady they come home with or emotional issues like post traumatic stress disorder, living a normal day-to-day life after deployment can be virtually impossible. For many, the only way to quiet the physical and psychological pain is with drugs and alcohol.

The San Diego Veterans Administration hospital reports that the number of veterans coming home hurt is as high as 46 percent of those deployed. Unfortunately, when most of these men and women get help, it comes in the form of pharmacological support: OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Xanax, and other addictive pain killers and anti-anxiety medications.

One veteran describes the relationship with that prescription as all encompassing. He says: “Essentially, your life surrounds that bottle of pills.”

Though most veterans will say that it is difficult to pull a fast one on the VA and get duplicate prescriptions for multiple opiate painkillers or stimulants due to their prescription tracking system, this doesn’t stop the development of prescription drug addiction. Rather, the vets say that it just pushes them to find additional pills to support their prescription drug habit somewhere else. For many, that means street drugs. For others, that means buying another vet’s prescription. Others go across the border to Mexico where prescriptions are never a problem or to other clinics or doctors in the United States and convince them that they need a prescription.

Apparently, the response of the medical community to vets is generous, to the detriment of their health.

Says one vet: “They would always ask me what has worked in the past. I would say a shot of Demerol, a shot of Dilaudid and 60 OxyContin … and pretty much that would last a week.”

The sad result is that many veterans end up dying of overdose. OxyContin overdoses especially are a problem for vets along the Mexico/ California border. In San Diego County in 2008, 51 people died from OxyContin related causes, a number that is three times that of the previous year.

Drug addiction among service members is constantly increasing problem. Those who aren’t taking the medication for pain often choose drugs as a way to avoid the painful memories they accumulated overseas.

Dr. James Michelsen of the VA Hospital in San Diego says that one in 50 combat veterans is coming back positive for painkiller addiction; that’s about 400 vets or twice as many as the general population. The drug of choice among these San Diego vet addicts is OxyContin.

Getting treatment for painkiller addiction isn’t always easy for veterans, even with the assistance of the VA. Prescription drug rehab resources are limited and there is a long line of people in need of help. Though there is a high prevalence of prescription drug addiction among wounded vets who have served overseas, there is also a high incidence of alcoholism among vets as well.

If you or someone you love is in need of drug treatment, The Canyon can help. Call us today for more information about our services and programs in prescription drug rehab and alcohol rehab.

If you or someone you love is living with hydrocodone addiction, here’s what you need to know about the drug:

What Drug Interactions Should I Avoid When Taking Hydrocodone?

Combining alcohol with hydrocodone may cause confusion and increase sleepiness. If hydrocodone is used in conjuncture with other drugs that cause drowsiness, there is a risk of severe sedation. You should speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any over the counter medicines that contain acetaminophen since too much of this drug could cause liver damage.

What are the Side Effects of Hydrocodone?

Side effects of hydrocodone are common and often disappear within the first week of use as the body adjusts to the drug. They include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Sedation
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Nausea

Speak to your doctor if any side effects that you are experiencing do not go away or become severe in intensity. Do not drive while taking hydrocodone until you are sure of your personal reaction to this drug. Elderly patients and those who have lung disease should be aware that hydrocodone may increase the risk of respiratory depression. If you have problems breathing or experience sudden mood changes while taking hydrocodone, inform your doctor immediately.

What Else Should I Know When Taking Hydrocodone?

Special precautions are advised when taking hydrocodone. Store this prescription in its original container and in a space away from children. Your doctor will need to know if this medication stops managing your pain or if you feel that your dose needs to be adjusted because you’ve built up a tolerance. Never alter your dose without the supervision of and approval from your physician. You may be required to have your prescription refilled, so ask your pharmacist if you have any questions pertaining to your hydrocodone refill. If you are allergic to other drugs, especially to acetaminophen, hydrocodone or codeine, you may not be able to take this medication. If your medical history consists of urinary retention, prostatic hypertrophy, thyroid disease, liver or kidney disease, tell your physician before taking hydrocodone.

In the event that you undergo any type of surgery, be sure to explain that you are taking a prescription containing hydrocodone. Your doctor may suggest keeping a list of all medications you are currently taking in the event that you are admitted to the hospital. As with morphine, hydrocodone is physically and mentally addictive. Get emergency medical help if you suspect an overdose or call poison control for further assistance. You should never take more of this drug than directed.

Treat Hydrocodone Addiction

Even if used exactly as directed, you can become addicted to hydrocodone. The only way to break free from hydrocodone addiction is to enroll in an inpatient or outpatient hydrocodone rehab that provides hydrocodone detox and addiction treatment counseling. The Canyon offers a comprehensive and high end hydrocodone rehab in southern California. Contact us today to learn more about our program and take the first step toward starting a new life in recovery.

It’s well known that regular and continued use of prescription painkillers like Vicodin, oxycodone, codeine, Percocet and others ultimately lead to prescription drug addiction if it continues unchecked. But a new focus for the medical and substance abuse treatment community is how the presence of prescription painkiller use, abuse and addiction can actually lead to the increase in the experience of pain.

Painkillers and the Increased Experience of Pain

The Behavioral Health Central website says: “Some pain medications can actually cause or increase the pain that they are using the medication to manage.”

Some doctors have even named the phenomenon: opiate-induced hyperalgesia. Basically, this condition means that you are more sensitive to pain after a long period of taking pain management medications. In some cases, this can even mean that things that didn’t cause pain before you started taking painkillers are now painful for you. In studies, this response occurs in some animals after just one high dose of an opiate painkiller.

How Do You Identify Opiate Induced Hyperalgesia?

This condition is generally identified when you are on painkiller medications and yet continue to experience pain despite consistently increasing the amount of your dose.

It has also been identified in people who actively used opiates like heroin and prescription painkillers for years before getting treatment. After treatment, it is sometimes difficult to get effective relief from pain, especially for chronic pain.

Treating Opiate Induced Hyperalgesia

For those who are currently on high doses of prescription painkillers and are having difficulty getting any relief from pain, prescription drug rehab and immediate detox are usually recommended. The idea is that through reducing your tolerance, opiate painkillers in more moderate doses may again work for you. In some cases, non-opioid based painkillers are preferred so as to avoid the risk of opiate painkiller addiction.

Prescription Painkiller Addiction Treatment

Treating prescription painkiller addiction can be scary to those who are worried about the withdrawal symptoms associated with painkiller detox. When you stop taking a drug upon which your body has come to depend, you will experience different symptoms of illness that will vary in type and intensity based on a number of factors. For example, those addicted to high doses of opiate painkillers like Vicodin, oxycodone, hydrocodone and others may begin to feel nauseous, get a headache, start to sweat, get stomach cramps or feel nauseous, and experience bone and muscle pain within the first few hours after their missed dose. The best way to combat this is with a medical detox at a certified substance abuse treatment center that understands opiate addiction.

When you have completed painkiller detox, you can begin addiction counseling and alternative treatments to help you further cement yourself in sobriety before returning home. A big focus of prescription painkiller addiction treatment is relapse prevention, which provides you with the tools you need to fend off the urge to pop a pain pill when you feel stressed. For those with chronic pain, it can also include learning more holistic ways to address pain management without addictive drugs.

If you would like more information about our painkiller rehab here at The Canyon, contact us today.

A petition has been going around in Scioto County in Ohio to fight drug addiction. The drug of focus is prescription painkillers and Scioto County residents and residents of surrounding counties are hoping to fight off the rising problem of prescription drug addiction in their state by asking Governor Ted Strickland to help them better control the distribution of prescription drugs.

They are called the Citizens Against Prescription Abuse and they are working hard to stop prescription drug abuse and addiction in their state.

Bob Walton is a Porter Township trustee and a community organizer for Citizens Against Prescription Abuse. He says: “It’s sad. It’s frustrating. It’s an uphill battle. But it’s a battle we’ve got to fight or we will lose a generation.”

Their plan of attack on local prescription drug abuse is mainly focused on pain clinics that provide prescriptions for opiate painkillers and fill them. Their petition requests that Governor Strickland better regulate the pain clinics that they believe hand out prescriptions far too easily and often, leading to a high rate of prescription drug addiction and abuse as well as increased hospitalization due to overdose. They want an investigation into the local prescription drug addiction problem opened by everyone: the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, state medical and pharmacy boards, the DEA, the IRS and the FBI.

They also want changes in Ohio law that further restricts new clinics from opening and regulates the operation of current painkiller clinics.

About 700 signatures had been gathered by the time of this posting, but Walton is hoping for about 2000 signatures total by the end of the month.

Walton cites the numbers for support of his proposition: Scioto County has nine pain clinics.

Lisa Roberts is a registered nurse and an injury prevention specialist for the Portsmouth City Health Department. She backs up Walton’s plan, stating that the county has the second highest rate of prescription drug overdose in Ohio and that Southern Ohio distributes four times as many prescription drugs as Northern Ohio.

Says Roberts: “We have a very high addiction rates in addition to the death rates. A lot of young people are addicted. Our treatment facilities are overwhelmed. The court systems are overwhelmed.”

She also says that many of these prescription pain clinics are owned by people with past convictions for drug trafficking and staffed by doctors with medical licensing issues.

Dr. Robert Mullins is a local emergency room doctor who is also interested in fighting against the prescription pain clinics and resulting prescription drug addiction.

He says: “This is a problem that, once it’s created, it’s very hard to get out from under. Maybe [the petition] will actually help and maybe it won’t but if we stand by and do nothing, I assure you it will escalate.”

If you would like more information about Scioto County’s fight against prescription drug addiction or if you would like to sign the petition, you can do so online.

If you would like to learn more about prescription drug addiction treatment at The Canyon, contact us today.

Drug abuse and addiction problems in Florida are running rampant and every few months a new expose or research study is released that reveals a new troubled area of the state or a drug of focus. From crystal meth to heroin, Florida is a heavy area for drug traffickers bringing substances into the country. The prevalence of prescription drug abuse here, too, is a significant. Here’s a highlight report of some of the largest drug abuse problems affecting Florida right now.

Crystal Meth Addiction

Much of the state’s crystal meth supply is made within the state’s borders. Many rural areas are home to crystal meth labs where the drug is produced from scratch, but more recently, police have been busting labs in apartment buildings and “rolling” labs or labs in RVs and campers. Florida has had increased numbers of reported use of the drug, as well as arrests for possession and distribution of the substance. More and more Floridians are entering crystal meth rehab and attending counseling for their issues with the drug.

Heroin Addiction

The drug trafficking market that goes through Florida is primarily focused on heroin. It’s multiple ports to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean means that it’s relatively easy for boats of all sizes to find their way ashore. Port towns, therefore, are a hot bed of drug and gang-related activity associated with heroin. Studies have shown that heroin abusers and heroin addicts (both the number of people who report using it in the month prior to the survey and the number of people seeking treatment for the disease) have increased in number every year for the past few decades.

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction has long been an issue, especially in larger cities like Miami. There are a disproportionately high number of clinics devoted to filling and provide prescriptions as compared to the rest of the country. For that reason, there are also a disproportionately high number of doctors facing charges for illegal or inappropriate drug dispensation and higher rates of death due to prescription drug overdose.

Getting Addiction Treatment Help

Whether your drug of choice is crystal meth, heroin, or prescription drugs like OxyContin, Percocet, or hydrocodone or a combination of drugs, you can find the help you need to break free from your dependence at a drug and alcohol rehab. At a drug and alcohol rehab, you not only stop using your drug of choice with medical assistance, you also get the addiction counseling you need to understand your addiction, educational classes to understand how addiction works in the body, and therapy in groups and alone to help you gain strength in recovery.

If you would like to learn more about enrolling in drug and alcohol addiction treatment, The Canyon can help. Whether you are looking for a crystal meth detox, a prescription drug rehab or a heroin addiction treatment program, we have what you need. Call us today for more specifics about our California drug and alcohol rehab.

If you or someone you love is taking a Vicodin prescription for moderate to severe pain, you are at risk of developing Vicodin addiction. As often happens to unsuspecting people seeking treatment for chronic pain or for easement of pain after an acute injury or surgery, the Vicodin prescription continues unchecked until well after a physical and psychological addiction has developed.

Here are a few answers to questions you may have about Vicodin use, Vicodin addiction and the drug itself.

How is Vicodin Administered?

Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen and comes in tablet form. Read the entire label before taking this drug. If you are unsure of your dosage or how often you should take it, do not guess. Call your pharmacist or doctor to confirm exactly how much Vicodin you should take. Vicodin should be taken orally without food and is more effective if it is taken before your pain becomes intense. In the event that you have been taking Vicodin for a long period of time, stopping this drug or lowering the dose may cause opioid withdrawal symptoms. Some people find that they become tolerant of this medication after continuous use. If your prescription is no longer managing your pain, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.

What are the Side Effects of Vicodin?

It is impossible to know how Vicodin may affect you. However, some common side effects are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Drastic mental or mood changes
• Flushing of the skin
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Vision changes

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms and they suddenly become more intense, notify your doctor about these changes. A very few individuals may have more serious side effects such as slow or irregular heartbeat, slow or labored breathing, or changes in the volume of urine production. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these ailments.

What Medications Should I Avoid if I’m on Vicodin?

You should not take any other medications, prescription or over the counter, that may contain acetaminophen with your Vicodin. Too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage and/or an overdose that could become dangerous. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period to reduce the chance of toxicity.

This medication should not be kept in the bathroom for storage. The extreme temperature changes may reduce the effectiveness of Vicodin.

How Do I Recognize Vicodin Addiction?

Vicodin addiction may not be easy to spot, especially if you experience any of the side effects of Vicodin use noted above. In general there are a few things to look out for when taking an opiate painkiller like Vicodin for any length of time:

• Loss of interest in hobbies, friendships and family
• Inability to maintain deadlines or keep up with commitments at home or school
• Problems with relationships due to your behavior under the influence
• Financial problems due to the price of your Vicodin prescription and/ or your inability to work as a result of Vicodin use

Is There Treatment Available for Vicodin Addiction?

Yes! There are a number of different outpatient and inpatient detox and addiction treatments available to those who are ready to break free from Vicodin addiction. Call The Canyon today to learn more.

Anna Nicole Smith’s two doctors and her lawyer boyfriend—Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich and Howard K. Stern—are pleading not guilty to drug conspiracy charges. Pending the outcome of the trial, the judge will not suspend the doctors’ medical licenses, according to the Associated Press.

Though the trio are not charged with manslaughter, homicide or even being the cause of her death, they are charged with conspiring together to illegally provide Anna Nicole with copious amounts of prescription pills including a combination of sedatives and opiates. After a preliminary hearing that outlined the many different drugs given to Anna Nicole, how they were prescribed and dispensed to her, and why (a process that took three weeks), charges were formally filed against all Kapoor, Eroshevich, and Stern.

The former Playboy model’s addiction to these pills eventually led to her death in February 2007 at a hotel in Florida, just days after her son, Daniel, died of an overdose as well. Her autopsy revealed that she died due to taking a combination of at least nine medications.

So why won’t the doctors lose their licenses considering the severity of the charges against them?

Says Linda Deutsch at Associated Press, “Superior Court Judge David Wesley rejected an effort by the attorney general’s office to lift the medical licenses, saying a yearslong delay in seeking that action undermines the claim of an imminent danger to the public if the doctors continue to practice.”

The trial itself may not happen until the summer of 2010, but in the meantime, all sides will likely file a number of motions to resolve certain issues. During the trial, the testimonies of those who were around Anna Nicole in the Bahamas during her last days will be heard.

The defense of all three alleged “co-conspirators” is that all of them had worked together to attempt to save Anna Nicole from her self-destructive behavior during her last years. All three claim that they were not aware that she was suffering from drug addiction.

The prosecution argues that drug addiction could not have been more obvious, especially to trained medical professionals, and that the three were caught up in riding her coat tails in the celebrity world.

If they are convicted, all three of the defendants could spend five years in prison.

The Warning Signs of Drug Addiction

Because the three charged with drug conspiracy charges in the wake of Anna Nicole’s death claim they had no idea that Anna Nicole was a drug addict, it seems that it is less important to cast blame after an overdose than it is to recognize the issue of drug addiction while you are still alive and able to fight it.

If you think that your prescription drug use has evolved into abuse or even addiction or if you believe that your loved one is a prescription drug addict, don’t wait to get help. Talk to a substance abuse treatment counselor as well as your doctor and determine whether or not a prescription drug rehab is the right move for you.

Oxycodone is a commonly prescribed prescription painkiller that is one of the predominant drugs of addiction across the country. Often prescribed for moderate to chronic pain, oxycodone (otherwise known as oxy, OC, and hillbilly heroin among other things) is highly addictive. Just a short period of regular use can result in an oxycodone addiction that will require treatment at a prescription drug rehab.

Here are a few things you should know about oxycodone.

How is Oxycodone Administered?

Oxycodone is should only be taken orally and as directed. If you are prescribed a solid form of this medication, you should not break, crush or alter the pills in any way, especially extended release tablets. Taking too much of this drug may cause serious respiratory depression or other overdose related illnesses. Never take this medication for other conditions unless it is prescribed to you, and do not share your prescription with anyone else for any reason.

What Drug Interactions Should I Avoid When Taking Oxycodone?

Your oxycodone prescription may cause serious medical problems if taken with certain drugs. If your doctor is aware of all your other prescriptions and medications you take regularly, you will be monitored for any potentially harmful reactions. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to opioids or other painkillers, you should tell your physician before using oxycodone as it is an opioid-based medication. Oxycodone is known to cause drowsiness; this side effect may become more pronounced if taken with antihistamines, sedatives, psychiatric medicine or anti-anxiety medication. Notify your doctor if you are taking medicine for lowering your blood pressure or other painkillers. Some lab test results may be affected by oxycodone, so make sure that lab personnel are aware that you are taking this drug before the tests are administered.

What are the Side Effects of Oxycodone?

Your physician or pharmacist may give you a list of expected side effects that accompany oxycodone use. The majority of patients will experience vomiting, nausea, mild itching, drowsiness, lightheadedness, constipation, dry mouth, weakness or loss of appetite. Tell your doctor if your experience with these side effects do not diminish over time or if they become too much for you to handle.

What Else Should I Know When Taking Oxycodone?

Naltrexone should not be taken with oxycodone. Patients who have a history of breathing problems may find that oxycodone increases the inability to breathe well. Tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had a brain disorder, adrenal gland issues, difficulty urinating, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse. If you are taking oxycodone on a dosing schedule, do not skip your dose or double up on your medication should you inadvertently miss a dose. Geriatric patients may have side effects that are more severe in intensity. This drug is not recommended in the last trimester of pregnancy or for women who are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you become pregnant while using oxycodone. If while taking oxycodone you have any concerns or questions, speak to your pharmacist or physician.

Oxycodone Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love is addicted to oxycodone, don’t wait to get help and do not attempt to stop taking the drug on your own. Contact The Canyon today for more information about our oxycodone detox and oxycodone addiction treatment program.