The Canyon

If you have to stop taking prescription drugs for insomnia because the addiction is ruining your life, congratulations! As great a decision as that is, that now means that you’re back to square one as far as dealing with your original sleeping issue, except now you have addiction issues as well, which makes it all the more difficult.

Insomnia is a problem that is often cured by prescription painkillers and benzos. Lack of sleep may be enough to warrant the prescription but in most cases, difficulties sleeping begin when prescription drug use for another issue stops. One side effect of prescription painkillers and anti-anxiety medication is their ability to knock you out. When you stop taking the drug, you find that your body has forgotten how to fall asleep naturally. So how do you fix this problem?

The other day, we looked at non non-narcotic options for inducing sleep. Here are a few more:

Commercial Yet Non-Narcotic Options for Sleep

• Melatonin – These little pills will help you sleep if you take them right before you lay down. Available in slow release capsule. (about $7)
• Valerian Root – Don’t be put off by the stinky feet smell of these guys. They come in capsule form or you can buy the tea… or the herb to make the tea… or in tincture form. (about $7)
• Good Night Pills – A bunch of companies have created their own sleepy time formula and most combine melatonin and valerian with other calming herbs (about $15)
• Kava Kava – Best in tincture form, it’s also available in capsules and pretty much all it’s good for is helping you sleep. (about $7)
• Lavender – They say that lavender is soothing and you can find a range of sleep pillows, eye masks, lotions, bed linen scents, candles, aromatherapy oils and more that are scented with the stuff to help you sleep. (about $5 to $20 depending upon quality of herb and the item)
• Good Night Tea – There are a number of different brands that cater to getting you ready for bed but the best include a combination of chamomile, catnip, hops and passionflower (about $4 to $6).

Of course, if you’re hooked on 5 Oxys every night or take 8 Xanax just to calm down, chances are these little over the counter remedies won’t be much help. But every little bit counts and as your body adjusts to being without prescription drugs, these herbs and exercises will have a greater effect.

Anyone else have any suggestions about how to get to sleep when you’re trying to break your prescription drug addiction?

There’s been a lot of talk on this blog about how to fix what ails us—depression, chronic pain, anxiety, et cetera—when it is no longer an option to continue taking the prescription drugs that began as a remedy for those conditions and ended up creating a drug addiction that required nothing short of a thorough drug detox and rehab.

At a certain point, the consequences of drug addiction outweigh the benefits taking the prescription drug to fight the original issue. Additionally, when prescription drug addiction is in effect, it is often the case that the drugs aren’t working the way they should so that addiction and the original issue are both actively causing problems.

Even though it may seem intuitive that the next best step at this point is to go through drug detox, it is the opposite of ideal when it comes to your state of mind as well as the state of your body. Making the choice to get help can be the most difficult part…especially if your physical issue is insomnia.

Whether or not you are currently addicted to prescription sleep aids, you can practice the following tips for falling asleep without narcotics. They may enhance your medication making a lower dose of a prescription medication more effective and, in some cases, they may take away your need for any medication at all.

Non-Narcotic Options for Sleep

• Yoga – Since relaxing your body and mind are the first step to falling asleep, it makes sense that yoga would be a good idea. None of that energizing, super sweaty yoga, though. Opt instead for the slow, stretchy kind. There are some videos available with 20-minute relaxing routines that are meant to be done before bed.
• Exercise – Earlier in the day, some good rigorous exercise will help to wear your body out naturally so that when you’re ready to go to bed, your body is, too.
• Avoid cigarettes before bedtime – In addition to staying away from sugar, chocolate, coffee, soda and other ‘upper’ type substances, avoiding cigarettes a few hours before bed is recommended when you’re having trouble sleeping.
• Big meals or no meals – Not eating at all can keep you awake as much as eating way too much. Make sure you eat something a few hours before bed so that you don’t wake up starving but not so much or so close to bed time that you’re body is focused on digesting rather than relaxing.

Remember: consistency and patience is key. None of these will work the first time you try it. And the more tips you can apply, the better your chances of getting to sleep without a prescription. Come back next week for more tips for falling asleep without prescription drugs.

Whether or not Michael Jackson was struggling with prescription drug addiction before he died, the preliminary observations at his autopsy point toward prescription drug overdose as a potential cause of death, according to Fox News. Specifically, the article states:

“Jackson appeared to be stronger than they expected. There were bruises on his chest, which indicated someone had performed CPR on him, but there was no sign of a heart attack, which is when arteries are blocked, leading to cardiac arrest.”

Cardiac arrest was initially reported as the cause of death, but the preliminary autopsy results seem to conclude that that was not the case. The article goes on to state that “drugs may have indeed played a role in stopping Jackson’s heart and/or lungs.”

Other reports state that Jackson’s doctor was with him when he died, or at least that’s what was intimated by the 911 caller. TMZ.com reports: The person who makes the call says Jackson was not breathing and unconscious. Jackson was not responding to CPR. The caller says the doctor on scene – Dr. Conrad Murray – was the only witness – “The doctor has been the only one here.”

You can listen to a recording of the 911 call made from Michael Jackson’s Encino, California home here.

Still other reports claim that Jackson had doctors coming to the house around the clock, that one doctor lived in the house with him, and that the day of his death, Jackson was receiving a shot of Demerol from his doctor, something that happened regularly.

There are those that think that if the Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, had called paramedics immediately, that there might have been a chance to save Jackson’s life. Some of these people conjecture that the doctor was protecting himself by waiting, or that perhaps he thought, as a doctor, he had as good a chance of saving Jackson’s life as anyone. Of course, there’s always the possibility that the doctor didn’t find him until after he stopped breathing and that this piece of information got convoluted or lost when others came on the scene… though the caller sounds a little stressed but hardly blinded by chaos. However, Dr. Murray is apparently nowhere to be found, so these questions will go unanswered for some time.

Whether or not doctors and hangers-on push celebrities to abuse prescription drugs, unless they are outright drugging them so that they are unaware of what they are taking, I believe each individual must take responsibility for his or her own actions. You have to recognize at some point that you are not living the life you want and that, like the rest of us, you are the only one who can create the change that you’re hoping for. Maybe that’s easier said than done. Certainly, most of us don’t have someone there with a shot full of Demerol or a handful of pills at the ready every time we get frustrated about something. Perhaps if we did, the need to get clean probably wouldn’t be so urgent. What do you think?

Some may feel insecure about confronting their loved one or friend about their drug issues, especially when the drug in question is a prescription drug. The abuse of and addiction to recreational drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol may be a little bit easier to spot and point out to your loved one, but the problem with prescription drug addiction is that it starts with a valid doctor’s prescription.

Prescription painkillers are tricky: yes, they serve a purpose but taken too long, they can become a problem in and of themselves. Family members who notice changes in those taking prescription opiates like Vicodin, OxyContin, Norco, Lortab and more may not know when these changes are merely side effects and when they denote an unacknowledged addiction worthy of an intervention.

Here are some clues to help you tell when it’s time to set up a drug addiction intervention:

• Inability to maintain commitments at work and home
• Inability to successfully care for children and elder family members resulting in neglect or abuse
• Losing a spouse, partner, close friends or jobs due to lack of focus and drug use
• Health problems due to opiate use including breathing problems and overdose
• Purchasing supplemental pills outside of their original prescription or attempting to procure additional prescriptions from different doctors
• Supplementing prescription medication use with alcohol and other drugs
• Suicidal behavior
• Abusive behavior to others resulting in emotional or physical harm
• Financial problems including not paying the bills, losing possessions and defaulting on credit cards
• Driving while obviously impaired by prescription drug use
• Criminal activity or legal problems due to behavior while under the influence of their prescription

A drug addiction intervention is not a negative thing, though the person being confronted may initially take it as such. Should they choose to get the help they need, they will thank you for it later and even if they don’t, at least you can take yourself and your family out of harm’s way by taking away the addict’s ability to hurt you again.

A couple months ago, we talked about the problem with prescription drug abuse and addiction in Iraq, not just among those who have lost their jobs and loved ones in the war, but also those entrusted to protect the people and restore order to the region: police officers and soldiers on patrol.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in Iraq

To be fair, though some estimate that 30 percent or 1/3 of those in the police force and armed forces take prescription drugs in order to heal after injury, there are measures in place that are attempting to fix the problem.

Dr. Haidari works for the Health Ministry in Iraq. He says that a number of factors should be taken into consideration:

* A campaign is underway to close pharmacies that are illegally dispensing and selling prescription drugs.

* The prescription drug problem among Iraqi soldiers and police is no worse than the prescription drug abuse and addiction among the rest of the population.

* The ministry is opening more prescription drug addiction treatment centers, though right now there is only one hospital in Iraq with a drug and alcohol abuse treatment ward.

Denial Ain’t Just in Egypt

Of course, not surprisingly, if you ask some people in power in Iraq about the problem among police officers and soldiers who are living with prescription drug abuse and addiction, they’ll just say that it doesn’t exist.

General Ahmed al-Khafaji is an official at Interior Ministry concerned with police affairs. He says there is no significant issue with prescription drug abuse in the army: “We don’t accept any kind of addiction within the security forces or our troops from the police.” Those who abuse drugs, he says, are “dismissed from our ministry forever.”

Hiding Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction

Despite Gen. al-Khafaji’s assertion that one shouldn’t judge on a “few” cases, it’s a well known fact within and without the ranks that there is a serious issue with prescription drug abuse in the Iraqi army. Officers know about it, but soldiers don’t take pills right in front of an officer. Or talk about them, either. A number of slang terms exist for soldiers to talk about taking prescription drugs, buying them, locating them, et cetera.

A local pharmacist says that though he’s been arrested three times for dispensing prescription drugs illegally, he has avoided prosecution with bribes. He says, “I don’t deal with strangers unless they come through my known network. I have some people who distribute the drugs, and they are well-trusted people. I have other customers who take large amounts of drugs, and they come in from time to time or I deliver it to them in specific locations.”

The Stigma Against Prescription Drug Rehab

Just like in the United States, many who struggle with prescription drug addiction want to avoid the negative stigma attached and negative repercussions for their issues with prescription drugs and opt out of prescription drug rehab. The nature of prescription drug addiction is such that many in America start taking them medically and ultimately find themselves with an addiction issue that they never asked for.

If you are struggling with prescription drug addiction, you can keep your prescription drug addiction treatment anonymous. Contact The Canyon for more information.

Provigil is a prescription drug that does exactly what it sounds like; it’s pro-vigilance. It helps you stay awake. The marketing spouts off on Provigil’s ability to keep you awake without getting you hooked, but some are saying that that may not be true. The concern is that Provigil is yet another route to prescription drug addiction.

What is Provigil?

The generic name is modafinil, but it’s sold on the shelves as Provigil. It’s FDA approval is for helping those who struggle with sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and sleep disorders associated with working the graveyard shift. But many who get a prescription for it don’t suffer these disorders. Because of its reputation as being non-addictive, it is often prescribed for those who are just tired and need a pick-me-up… with the result that they’re now awake, but unable to wake up without the drug.

Who Thinks Provigil is Addictive?

According to Daniel J. DeNoon at WebMD Health News, there may be a big prescription drug addiction risk with Provigil. Some researchers agree.

Nora D. Volkow is the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). She is one of the lead researchers who think that Provigil may be more addictive than previously thought. She says:

“There is an increasing use of this medication, and people have promoted the off-label use of stimulants and Provigil as cognitive enhancers with the belief that these drugs are safe. But these drugs have side effects, and their use without proper medical oversight could lead to abuse and addiction.”

Provigil, Cocaine and Crystal Meth?

The side effects to which she is referring and the chemicals released as a result of the drug resemble the effects of cocaine and crystal meth, though on a much smaller scale.

Volkow says: “The changes we are observing in dopamine concentrations with modafinil are equivalent to those we have reported for [Ritalin] in the human brain. So not only does [Provigil] increase dopamine in the human brain, but does it by similar mechanisms to Ritalin and cocaine, by directly blocking the dopamine transporter. It is not working by some distinct, different mechanism.”

Who Thinks Provigil is Not Addictive?

There are many researchers who disagree with Volkow, only because they feel that ‘addiction’ is too strong a word. David Weinshenker, PhD, is an associate professor of human genetics at Emory University, Atlanta.

He says: “What is Provigil’s street value? It is zero. There are not addicts walking around buying and selling modafinil. Most people who take Provigil don’t report euphoria or being high. They don’t even report feeling particularly stimulated, like caffeine. In terms of addiction and withdrawal, it just doesn’t do that.”

Provigil as a Cure for Cocaine Addiction and Crystal Meth Addiction?

Daniel J. DeNoon at WebMD Health News says: “Weinshenker and Vogel both note that because it blocks the brain receptors needed by cocaine and methamphetamine, researchers are exploring whether Provigil might help wean addicts from these life-threatening addictions.”

Just like methadone, which is an addictive opiate in its own right, is used to treat those addicted to opiates, Provigil may be a good medication to treat those addicted to stronger stimulants. What do you think?

It’s the stuff that a CSI or Law & Order episode is made of: a lawyer is caught lying and cheating, abusing and addicted to illegal drugs and all eyes are on the trial, waiting to find out if Ken Lawson, the lawyer in question, will go to jail or be put on probation. The burden is on a federal court judge to make the decision and it seems that the choice will depend on just how deep the conspiracy went.

Prescription Painkiller Conspiracy

That’s right. I said it: conspiracy. That’s what this case is all about. It was a criminal conspiracy to obtain hundreds of thousands of prescription painkillers. But that’s where the agreement on events ends. No one disputes whether or not it was a conspiracy. The question before the court is exactly how deeply involved was Lawson, the lawyer on trial.

Federal Prosecutor’s Story on the Prescription Painkiller Conspiracy

The prosecution says that Lawson was not just a key player in the prescription drug conspiracy, but its ring leader. They contend that he coordinated a Cincinnati doctor to write prescriptions for painkillers in other people’s names, knowing that Lawson would end up with the pills. The names used included those of clients, his friends and family, even his five children. The prosecutor wrote in a court filing that: “These children were taught that you ‘did what daddy told you to do’ and were clearly unduly susceptible to the illegal wishes of the defendant.”

The conspiracy was the source of 2500 fake prescriptions which yielded 450,000 doses of hydrocodone and oxycodone. But for what purpose did he intend this number of pills? The prosecution says that the sheer numbers demand that the court at least consider a possible intent to distribute.

Lawson’s Story About the Prescription Painkiller Conspiracy

Lawson will be the first to tell you: he was a drug addict, addicted to prescription painkillers, and that to feed that he habit he did whatever he had to do, including lying, cheating and manipulating. In short, he did everything that drug addicts do. And he got caught for it. He’s more than willing to pay the fines associated with that prescription drug fraud. But, he says, he never sold anything and never had any intention to do so, an assertion that would preclude a prison sentence. He has been clean and sober for two years.

His lawyer wrote in a sentencing memorandum: “His conduct … has not only demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, it has demonstrated self-sacrifice, devotion to the needs of others, and positive contributions to the well-being of the community.”

Other Factors in the Prescription Drug Addiction Case

For one thing, the defense would like you to know that the doctor who was prescribing these pills illegally should take some blame. Also, that doctor was under investigation for providing illegal prescriptions well before Lawson began his prescription drug fraud, bartering free legal services for illegal prescriptions. In fact, the defense intimates that the prescription drug addiction likely began due to the doctor actively prescribing Lawson these medication in an effort to get him hooked and elicit free legal services to fight these federal investigations.

The prosecution, on the other hand, says that that is not only untrue, but that Lawson misled the doctor into believing that he needed the prescriptions and then threatened him in order to keep the pills coming when the doctor wanted to stop the conspiracy.

Lawson faces up to four years in prison if he is convicted of leading and perpetrating the conspiracy through threats. He is hoping to receive probation and be remanded to a prescription drug rehab.

Prescription drug addiction is a rising concern across the country, and with a new administration in the White House, some are hoping that the new administration will mean new changes in healthcare legislation concerning drug prescription and prescription painkiller treatment.

One of these people is a member of Advocates for Opioid Prescription Reform, Steven L. Hayes. He says, “Our group is composed of determined individuals from all walks of life who have become aware of the problem. We are convinced that when people understand this problem it will not be allowed to continue.”

The Power of the Written Word

Another proponent of prescription drug reform is Dr. Kirk Van Rooyan, a plastic surgeon. Having lost his stepson to one dose of OxyContin, Van Rooyan is hyper aware of the problems surrounding prescription drug addiction and abuse. With a letter, he hopes to help other families avoid the trauma that his own family suffered. An awareness letter meant to raise understanding and visibility surrounding the problem, Van Rooyan’s hope that the addressee will be inspired by the information to make changes. The addressee is Dr. Joshua Sharfstein is currently the Baltimore Health Commissioner but is a frontrunner for the appointment to head the FDA.

Rise in Prescription Opiate Marketing Parallels Rise in Opiate Overdose

The crux of Van Rooyan’s letter to Sharfstein is the fact that the rise in marketing for prescription opiates has paralleled the rise in prescriptions for opiate painkillers which in turn has caused a rise in deaths due to opiate overdose. He points out that the problem is obvious and harmful, that no attempts have been made by the FDA to do anything constructive about the problem or support those who are making good faith efforts to change how opiates are marketed or prescribed.

Says Van Rooyan in his letter: “As a group sharing the bond of the loss–to addiction or death from opioids–of a family member or loved one, it is our sincere hope that the Obama Administration, particularly those agencies most involved in drug and public health issues and safety, will respond to the challenge posed by the prescription opioid crisis, bringing to bear its already demonstrated passion, innovation, and competence.”

The Power of Opiate Detox and Opiate Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love is addicted to their opiate painkiller prescription—drugs that include Vicodin, OxyContin, Lortab, Percocet, Percodan, Lorcet, Fentanyl, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and others—opiate detox and opiate addiction treatment can help. The Canyon offers a comprehensive opiate rehab that is holistic in nature, addressing the physical and psychological effects of opiate addiction. Contact The Canyon today for more information.

If you thought prescription drug abuse and addiction was bad in the united States, imagine how bad it is in war-torn parts of the world where prescription painkillers are only as far as the black market and corrupt pharmacies.

Increased Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction in Iraq

According to the New York Times, Iraqi soldiers work in 12-hour shifts patrolling the streets of Baghdad. For some soldiers, the only way to make it through their stressful job is to take a couple prescription painkillers and take the edge off. Says one soldier, “For me, it helps me to get the job done. It makes me happy and high, but I still can control myself.”

Doctors and health professionals say that prescription drug abuse and addiction has increased markedly in Iraq since 2003. Government regulations are lax, government officials are focused on other things and with the high-stress, literally explosive environment, it’s no wonder that Iraqi citizens and soldiers are feeling pulled to prescription painkillers in higher and higher numbers.

Who’s Abusing Prescription Drugs in Iraq?

Like the United States, you’ll find people addicted to prescription drugs in every social circle. From prisons to the police officers and soldiers on patrol to residents of poor neighborhoods to the unemployed across social circles, prescription drug abuse is a problem. However, it is the use of prescription painkillers by police and soldiers that is most alarming. Both are extremely stressful occupations, but with the power they wield and the weaponry besides, prescription painkillers can only make a bad situation worse.

What is the Prescription Drug of Choice Among Soldiers in Iraq?

Artane. A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, it offers a euphoric high in large doses. According to the New York Times article, doctors are not allowed to speak publicly about the problem, but one said about the soldiers view of Artane:

“They believe that this Artane allows them to become courageous, to become brave. They take it so that there is no anxiety, no fear, so they can break down doors and enter houses with no shame.”

What is the Evidence That Iraqi Soldiers are Addicted Prescription Drugs?

It’s a hard thing to quantify beyond the admission of anonymous medical professionals and prescription drug users themselves that it is happening. But as far as statistics and scientific research, there is none. There’s nothing beyond anecdotal evidence that discusses how the prescription painkillers directly affect how the soldiers do their jobs. There are also no solid numbers on how widespread is the drug addiction and abuse, which drugs besides Artane are used most often, or how often the soldiers who use prescription drugs are indulging.

One soldier estimates that one of three soldiers in his unit take prescription drugs while on duty. A police offer estimates that about 30 percent of officers he works with do the same. A manager of a local drug addiction program says that prescription drug addiction has now surpassed alcoholism in sheer numbers and scope but says, “after the American invasion of Iraq, alcohol became limited because of the security situation and religious restraints.” Now, he said, “the long duties, the suicide attacks and the killing are all factors that drive the security forces members toward Artane and other drugs.” He also pointed out that prescription drug abuse and addiction is no worse among soldiers and police officers than it is in the rest of the population, albeit slightly more disturbing because of their position of power.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Attempts at enforcing prescription drug restrictions are intermittent, but there are some facilities available in the region. Thankfully, if you live in the United States, you have a number of options in prescription drug rehab. If you would like to learn more about the different types of prescription drug addiction treatment available, contact The Canyon.

Talladega has been struggling with drug addiction for over a decade now. And, thanks to the drug addiction problem, they’ve been struggling with the drug trade and crime as well. In an effort to make changes and turn the economy around, Talladega officials created the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force to fight back, helping their citizens and those addicted to drugs and alcohol as well.

Fighting Drug Addiction

Unfortunately, fighting drug addiction is no cheap business and the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is not only fighting drug addiction and crime, but budget cuts as well. Jason Murray commands the task force. He says, “We were cut on our federal appropriation by $60,000, which hurt. We’ll probably be $15,000 to $20,000 in the red by the end of year, but we’ll be getting some federal money and we were recently able to sell some seized property. We’ll get a donation from the track, and although Childersburg hasn’t donated anything to us since 2003/2004, they may come back this year.”

And with limited funds and an overworked staff, which part of the problem of drug addiction do you tackle first? The crystal meth labs? The cocaine trafficking? The break-ins and robberies associated with drug abuse and addiction? Illegal prescription pill use? Underage drinking and drug use?

Crystal Meth Addiction

In Alabama, crystal meth addiction and crystal meth labs are a huge problem.

“Our fiscal year started Oct. 1,” Murray says. “Since then, we have found 45 meth labs that we’ve actually been able to make cases on, plus six or eight more that are basically just dump sites where we can’t prove who the stuff belongs to. But I’ve had to pull them off the meth cases here lately to deal with people distributing crack cocaine and marijuana. You spend too much time over there, everything else runs rampant.”

Cocaine Addiction

After meth, cocaine and marijuana are the number two and number three drugs of addiction in Talladega county, respectively. Murray says, “Although we’re kind of in a cocaine drought right now, prices are just skyrocketing. You used to be able get about $18,000 for a key (kilogram, or 2.2 pounds) of cocaine. New you’re seeing prices of $27,000, $28,000 per key. That’s a big jump.”

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug abuse and addiction is another huge problem in Talladega, among young and old alike. Says Murray, “Pharmaceuticals are found in every household, and most kids know where they are and how to get to them. We’ve seen kids in the schools handing out their parents’ prescriptions like they were candy. We’ve got other people that start off using prescription pain killers legitimately, but can’t get off of them, so they either have to start forging prescriptions or buying them on the street. We made a pretty significant bust about a month ago on a woman who was buying up 80 milligram OxyContin prescriptions from here to Georgia, which has slowed things down some, but they will always find another way. We’ve had a few documented overdoses recently, too.”

Fighting Drug Addiction at Drug Rehab

If you are struggling with crystal meth addiction, prescription drug addiction, cocaine addiction, marijuana addiction or alcoholism, you can get help at The Canyon. Contact us for more information.