Some myths and facts about addiction

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I am writing this in response to all the unadulterated non sense being spewed about Patrick Kennedy's situation.

Myth one, A person can't go to rehab for prescription sleeping pills or traquilizers. Fact Many people get addicted to both sleeping pills and traquilizers and as a result have to go to rahab. If you want to see a seriously physically stressed person see someone coming off Xanax. It is very scary.

Myth two, Doctors are careful not to over prescribe sleeping medication. Fact I am sure many doctors are but many doctors aren't. My dad got addicted to sleeping meds after his doctor wrote prescription after prescription for two years. This despite the fact that the literature the doctor got clearly stated not to keep a patient on the medication for more than two weeks. My dad was able to quit cold turkey but he also quit smoking that way on his first try.

Myth three, Kennedy's rehab would of necessity be inpatient. Fact, Many insurance companies routinely force patients to try outpatient rahab first due to the fact it often will work (I am 6 years sober after going to detox followed by intensive outpatient treatment. Kennedy could easily keep his schedule as Congressman while in intensive out patient rehab.

Kennedy has a hard road ahead of him. He may end up quitting Congress, he may not. He will need to work on himself for at least a year. Being a Kennedy is both a blessing and a curse. Being a famous addict is nothing but a curse. He will be watched by everyone for a slip. People will be waiting to say I told you so. It can be done but he has a hard road.

Unlke many here I didn't take pleasure in Limbaugh's troubles and I surely don't in Patrick Kennedy's. We should all wish him well. We should also stick to facts.

[ShortnFiery]

1. Yes,

thanks for dispelling many myths regarding addiction. I agree that many people are misinformed regarding the propensity of addiction to Doctor Prescribed medications.

BTW do you personally believe that Rush Limbaugh is following a recovery program?

Maybe Limbaugh does have quality counselors and/or a thoughtful 12 step sponsor, but I have seen no signs of him "struggling" like most people do during a difficult recovery. Second to the gut wrenching recovery from the mainlining of the Heroin, I can't imagine any greater demon to slay than recovering from an addiction to the likes of OxyContin.

[dsc]

3. I have no real clue

His relative grace about Kennedy's problem makes me think he might be but other things he does makes me think he likely isn't. In any case, the random drug tests will eventually tell the tale.

[ShortnFiery]

4. Thanks -

I can be really gruff when confronting people but I do have profound respect and compassion for those who continue to "work their program" ... many people relapse and suffer some more BUT do return ... those people, IMO, the ones who never give up are courageous beyond words. It's the desire to get well that provides hope and recovery from narcotics especially because you can never figuratively let your guard down.

Once, after I hurt my back in Nursing School, the law suit paranoid hospital administration made sure that I was "very well" taken cared for - to include a Prescription to Percodan. I kid you not, that was the first time that I truly understood THE seemingly BEAUTIFUL HIGH that comes with such medication. I was finding myself having great anticipation as to when to take the next dose albeit my back did not hurt anymore. When that DESIRE hit me especially hard, I flushed down the rest of the pills in the toilet. That wasn't courage for it was FEAR that surged through my body at the thought that any one substance would have such control over my person.

Unfortunately, many people suffer from chronic pain and must be weaned off of such medication. Go to the Orthopedic Section of any hospital and KNOW that those good people are going to have difficulty lowering the doses of pain Meds as their condition improves. It's all in the name of the beast - the addictive nature of these medications.

Most Docs I've encountered will admit that our medical system is grossly inept at helping patients wean off of addictive pain medications. That's why we have such a profound number of people seeking treatment for these substances. If "the system" would not let the patients down by monitoring them closer, as a society we would not have this problem in ever increasing frequency.

[dsc]

5. I dread ever being in the situation of having to take pain meds

I fear becoming addicted to anything again and know that with those meds it could easily happen. One early person I met in the program had worked as a counselor after kicking heroin but started up again after he got cancer and had to take pain meds. He ended up in jail. A very sad case.

[ShortnFiery]

6. Another myth that I find troubling ...

are people who believe that they can NOT become addicted to pain medication. Everyone, if they stay on an opiate based drug for over two weeks - is by most criteria within in the DSM, addicted. I know that sounds bizarre, but that's why these substances should be tightly controlled and BETTER monitored.

How sad for that counselor. I also know from personal experience that nothing is more humbling that having to deal with a relapse. I hope he found his way back to recovery.

[dsc]

8. The last I heard he was still off the heroin

but I haven't seen him in a very long time so I don't know for sure.

[Psephos]

2. Good post, says it like it is. n/t

[wiley]

7. Everything you say is medically accurate

Rush Limbaugh, however, deserves to suffer. He has demonized and abused people with addiction issues for years. He's brought great pain to many people in this country.

[ShortnFiery]

9. IMO Saint Peter will deal with him ...

No, and I do despise, one each, Rush Limbaugh, but not even he deserves our wrath about his addiction. If he does find a viable road of recovery, he will be to hell and back. But that's a big if - it takes a capacity to humble yourself and that does not seem possible with this man.

[AllieB]

10. My doctor hands out sleep aids and anti-depressants like candy

I wonder if doctors get incentives like trips and baseball tickets from Pharma companies for dispensing their drugs.

I have always declined prescription meds, and have gone the organic route when I couldn't sleep.