In some cases, the treatment of illnesses has resulted in further ill health.   The medical term iatrogenic is defined as “induced inadvertently by a physician or surgeon or by a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure.”  The “cure” becomes the next problem.

Over the past 10 years, prescription drug abuse – abuse of medications which are legal for distribution – has become a national epidemic.  Who is behind this escalating prescription drug use?

The Children and Adults Against Drugging America’s website reports the following alarming statistics:

• Percentage increase from 1985 – 1999 in stimulant psychotropic drugs prescribed to children: 327%
• Percentage increase from 1991 – 2000 in stimulant psychotropic drugs prescribed to preschoolers between 2 & 4 years of age: 50%

An example of a pill for a pill.  A physician treats a patient with substance abuse problems or substance abuse withdrawals both of which can result in depression.  The physician then diagnoses depression and offers a prescription of antidepressants as the remedy.

Health and Healthcare’s article entitled The Art of Medicine gives insight into a real solution which does not result in further harm.

Medicine is an art. There is not always one right answer. Not every patient is cast from the same mold and broad brushstrokes of a one-size-fits-all treatment model are not always appropriate. Innovation and creative thinking is necessary to develop new methods of health care delivery, discover new medicines or treatment options, or prevent the emergence of new diseases. By educating health care practitioners to be more receptive to creative input and encouraging innovative thinking, the great minds entrusted with delivering health care will not become stifled by the repetition and unoriginality that is today’s health care system.

Until such time as physician’s reverse the escalating numbers of prescriptions medications they write, we need to be alert to overmedicating and treating substance abuse with prescription meds.

If you or a loved one have a substance abuse problem or have overmedicated yourself by treating substance abuse by taking even more pills, look into a rehabilitation program with a holistic approach to treat substance abuse.

Narconon Louisiana New Life Retreat gets to the underlying reasons for substance abuse and helps a person address those underlying reasons so they no longer turn to drugs or alcohol as a solution.

If you want drug rehabs that don’t not substitute a pill for a pill, call one of our substance abuse counselors now at 1-877-340-3602.

Dr. Russo and his colleagues treated a 34-year-old woman who was admitted with forearm pain and redness that began after she attended a party. She did not report other symptoms, but there was also a small red puncture wound on her arm. Treatment for cellulitis using broad-spectrum IV antibiotics dramatically reduced the symptoms, but lingering pain at the injection site led to an ultrasound.

The woman then admitted she had injected “bath salts” two days before she developed symptoms. Upon re-examination, the patient had rapidly progressing redness, skin sloughing, and drainage.  Necrotizing fasciitis was suspected and she immediately underwent emergency surgery and more antibiotics were given. The infection moved so fast that pink, healthy tissue was literally dying before the surgeons’ eyes. They had to keep removing tissue until they reached clear margins of healthy tissue to stop the progression of disease. By the time they were finished, the patient’s arm, shoulder, and collarbone were amputated and a radical mastectomy (the most extreme type of mastectomy) performed. The patient survived and subsequently underwent skin grafting and rehabilitation.

The life situations a person is confronted with, which they cannot handle, may result in substance abuse.  Abusing drugs and experimenting with drugs may result in devastating consequences.  Substance abuse shouldn’t result in losing body parts, or even worse one’s life, but it sometimes does.

If you have a loved one suffering from substance abuse, get them help immediately.  Call one of our substance abuse counselors at 1-877-340-3602.  Our drug rehabilitation program is one of the best in the nation.

We’ll give you the facts about drug rehabs and help you get the help you need.

A school in San Diego, California, recently showed a video to parents of someone manufacturing bath salts in their home and a male having a psychotic reaction after using one of the synthetic drugs.  Another video clip showed a dad and mother, both physicians, whose son slit his throat while under the influence of Spice.  He survived, was released and later shot himself at home, they said.

The meeting was concluded by asking parents to write to their local legislators and demand that Spice and Bath Salts be banned from sale in their community.

There are other reports of serious side effects of these drugs.  The normal medical treatment for drug overdoses doesn’t seem to work in the case of bath salts.  Patients experiencing actual toxic psychosis from a “normal” cocaine or methamphetamine overdose will respond to sedatives and gradually calm down after treatment.  Bath salt overdose cases do not seem to respond to normal sedatives like valium, even when administered in high doses.

Another concern is the alarming suicide ideations in these patients, even after the stimulatory effects of the drugs have worn off.  These chemicals act in the brain like stimulant drugs (they are sometimes touted as cocaine substitutes); thus they present a high abuse and addiction liability.  Dr. Nora D. Volkow of the National Institute of Drug Abuse advises that these products have been reported to trigger intense cravings not unlike those experienced by methamphetamine users, and clinical reports from other countries appear to corroborate their addictiveness.  They can also confer a high risk for other medical adverse effects.  Some of these may be linked to the fact that, beyond their known psychoactive ingredients, the contents of “bath salts” are largely unknown, which makes the practice of abusing them that much more dangerous.

If you suspect someone you know is abusing Bath Salts or Spice, please get them help immediately before their addiction grows more grave.  Call 1-877-340-3602 now to speak to one of our drug counselors at our drug rehab.

California drug rehabs have been forced to help many new addicts because of the widespread abuse of these drugs.

The truth is drugs are not the problem.  They are the solution.

A person who is either unwilling or unable to handle the problems in their life may turn to drug use.  Drugs become the universal solvent when one cannot confront physical or emotional pain in their life.  You can get away from pain, heartache, fear of being alone, fear of loss and the “what do I do next”.  Drugs will ultimately be seen as the problem, and this factor becomes the focus of so many treatment centers.

The Narconon New Life drug rehabilitation program is different.

We consider that a person who abuses drugs or alcohol is doing so to solve a problem.  For when you take the drugs out of a person, you are still left with a person who has a problem or problems.  And those problem or problems MUST be treated.

Narconon helps addicts break down what the problem is and empowers them so they start on a path to a solution that does not have drugs or alcohol paving the way.

Sadly, this is not Demi Moore’s first experience with addiction.  Earlier in her career, she very bravely and humbly faced alcoholism and was able to remain drug and alcohol free for 10 years.  Relapse sometimes occurs during extremely stressful periods in life.

Narconon assists the addict or alcoholic to regain their ability to confront, handle and control their destiny.  Our thoughts go out to Ms. Moore during this difficult period and applaud her willingness to handle this condition in her life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call our hotline now at 1-877-340-3602.

I was kidding myself into thinking I was an upstanding citizen.  After all, I worked, I paid taxes, I cared for my husband and my child.  When I thought of an addict, I thought of a pitiful, unkempt, homeless loser who lived on the street with no family to speak of and no hope of a life.   Not someone with a husband, a 2 year old and what I thought was a good life.

I did not ever in a million years dream the addict was me.

When I was only 23 years old, my husband of two years met and fell in love with a 42 year old woman ending the life I had dreamed of.  I became incredibly depressed, afraid and alone.  I had no higher education than a high school diploma and no where to turn.

Except of course, to my trusted physician who previously helped me through the birth of my son, intermittent migraines, post partum depression; all aspects of my physical and mental health.  When I went to see him, I could not stop crying, could not sleep and could not take care of my son.  After telling him my predicament, he spoke to me for a brief three minutes after which he wrote three prescriptions;  one for Prozac, one for Xanax and one for Lortab.

I could rationalize the Prozac and Xanax.  After all, my husband had run away with an older woman.  But, the Lortab?  At the time I didn’t question, didn’t know and didn’t care.  All I knew is that when I took that cocktail, I didn’t cry anymore.  I didn’t experience the grief.

I actually didn’t feel any emotion.  I floated… away from the pain, away from the depression, away from the loss and more tragically away from my responsibilities to survive life, to work and to raise my son.

All of it…gone.

I had been depressed before, but I had never been below depression.  I had contemplated suicide before, but I didn’t know that you could fall a step lower than suicide.   Not caring if you lived or died was lower.  Not even having the strength or will to commit suicide was lower.  I didn’t know where to turn and, to be honest, wasn’t looking for a place to turn.  I was just disappointed every time my eyes opened and I was still alive.

My family, devoid of sympathy had distanced themselves from me.  They had tried everything.  I had tried, too.  AA, NA, psychologists, psychiatrists, homeopathic remedies, inpatient treatment, intensive out-patient treatment, self-help books, meditation, antidepressants, counseling, etc.  All to no avail.

Until finally, my sister found Narconon Louisiana.  Narconon was different – not a 12 step program which I had failed at before.  Yet I had little hope.  In fact, I remember telling my father to STOP trying to save me.  I told him to accept I couldn’t be helped.  My family would not give up; they refused to accept me as a lost cause.  They asked me for one last thing and after having taken every last bit of dignity, money, hope and trust they had ever given me, I said yes to trying one more time.

Ninteen miserable years, a destroyed family, more failed marriages and one long stint in jail later, I found myself at Narconon Louisiana.

My climb back was long and difficult – similar to rebuilding an entire neighborhood burned to the ground by fire.  There was so MUCH to rebuild.  But rebuild I did.

Its been almost three years since I took those first step to begin living as I was always meant to live; a responsible person capable of handling life.  Not so much on life’s terms, but on mine.  Because life doesn’t just happen anymore.

I control my fate.  I control my choices, my future and my destiny.  People turn to me for advice now, because I am one of the ones who made it.  Imagine that!!!!

Where I used to be scared of the sunlight and angst it would bring, I now embrace it.   I now honor my life and those who choose to share their life with me.  Not only am I alive, I live each day knowing that I can do anything!

The worst part of addiction is that it does not discriminate.  It is NOT racist.  It is NOT prejudice.  It does NOT disqualify anyone because they are too young, too old, too rich or too poor.

Sometimes the hardest thing for families to accept is the fact, the absolute fact, that their loved one is an addict.  The hardest thing to confront is that there is badness, even in someone you love.

Accepting that someone you love is addicted.

And even harder, that you alone cannot save them.  Addiction rehabilitation takes treatment.  Successful treatment. Narconon Louisiana has a 75% success rate over two (2) years.  This means that together, we can make a difference in the lives of those you love.

If you or a loved one for substance abuse problem, call 1-877-340-3602.  Narconon Riverbend is one of the most successful drug rehabs in the nation.

At the age of 10, my mom died from an overdose of alcohol and valium.   Even at my young age, I knew it was fate; I knew her death was inevitable.  She had suffered through many treatment centers resulting in sporadic bouts of sobriety.  Nothing seemed to work and her illness finally caught up with her.

Promising myself I would be nothing like her, I moved on with my life.  Unable to deal with life, I started drinking on a regular basis at age 17.  Alcohol began ruining my life and the lives of those who loved me.

However, I really believed everything would change when I got married and pregnant at 22.  While I carried my son, I told myself that I was going to be the best mom and my baby wasn’t going to go through anything like I had.  On October 24, 2006, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.  He was perfect.  He made me feel whole and I was a good mom…until I started drinking again.

When my son was 4 months old, I decided my life was so great that I could probably drink again, because I was now normal.  I thought drinking would not crush me the way it did before because of my son.  That turned out to be just one of the many lies I would tell myself for the next four years.  Within a couple months of drinking, I was already waking up in the middle of the night, not remembering having put my son to bed.  I used him as an excuse why I couldn’t go to work when really I was too physically and mentally sick.  I took minimal care of my son so I could maintain the lie that I could do both, be a mother and drink alcohol.

My son’s life has been filled with me making promises then breaking them, in and out of his life depending on whether I was sober or not, resulting in having to buy his love because I could not earn it.   I tarnished my little boy’s perfect, shiny, trusting heart by my instability.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.  I was supposed to be the wonderful, loving, caring mom that my mom wasn’t.

Finally, after numerous attempts at getting and staying sober and half a dozen rehabs, I arrived at Narconon on October 24, 2011 for my chance at a better life.  Even though it has been extremely difficult being away from my son, I came to the realization since I wasn’t really with him before as the mother I should be, the 3 ½ +months to get my life back on track would be worth it.

Since I’ve been here, I have been able to see when I “became” my mother and stopped being ME.  I’m finding the loving, caring person I was a long time ago and it feels great.  Not only am I getting my life back, but my son’s life back, too.  I might have been an alcoholic like my mother, but with the life lessons I’ve learned here, I won’t have to die because of it.

I have the choice today to give to my son what I didn’t have – a mother.

S.H.

That gets my attention.  Tell me what kind of high I can anticipate. I’m not worried about high blood pressure, risk of death, vomiting, diarrhea, severe itching, flushing, collapsed veins…  

That is what I want to know:  How’s the rush?  What’s the high like? Will I think anymore about the bullshit that has become my life? Will I forget that I can’t keep a job, raise my child, be around my family?  Dying is the least of my worries.  Living is what scares me.

All the writings in the world about the negative effects of heroin, or any drug for that matter, won’t dissuade an addict from using. There is no fear that the next dose may be the last; there is only the fear that it won’t be.  And their downward spiral known as heroin addiction will continue.

I don’t know where to turn or who to ask for help.  That’s what is missed by my family and friends.  They believe I am selfish, that I do this to hurt them and I think only of myself.

The evil of heroin is that it doesn’t matter who you hurt, who you steal from, who sees you high or who you have sex with.  The addict does not reflect on those things, for there is always the next hit to bury the memory.

You want to know what matters, then?   I’ll tell you: HOW TO MAKE IT STOP.  That’s what matters.  You want to know what it is? Opening your eyes and feeling the unwanted but always unavoidable emotions of anxiety, shame, loss, fear and degradation.  Making it stop, thats what matters. 

Most heroin addicts want to stop using.  You will know them by their track marks and bruises, sunken dark eyes and dwindling size.  They may deny their use, even to those closest to them but they still need help.

I just caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror as I tie off with the seatbelt.  I think about how much I hate myself and my life as I search amongst the abscesses on my arm for the Sharpie mark I made to remember the good vein from the collapsed ones.

Addicts know the road back from addiction is difficult…. but it can be done.  The daughter you gave birth to, the son you were proud of, the husband you cherished; they are still alive.    They are up against an enemy they feel they cannot fight.  Addicts feel powerless and that they cannot do anything about their situation.

Somewhere inside of me is the little girl my mother loved and I have been the one responsible for losing her.  Please help me…..

Get help for heroin addicts.  Call our drug rehab hotline now at 1-877-340-3602.

Our drug abuse rehabilitation solutions are some of the best in the nation.  Narconon Riverbend provides a unique, holistic program of long term care with a high success rate among heroin users.

In the days following his arrest, Parisio’s mother had told any reporter who would listen that he was high on the designer drug at the time he was alleged to have killed Schmidt in the basement of his parents’ Cranford home. Parisio subsequently entered a “not guilty” plea in the New Jersey Superior Court later that month. At that time, the New Jersey Poison Control Center had only just begun to see a rising tide of MDPV abuse; the Center had only encountered 10 cases of bath salts poisoning thus far.

It’s a proven fact that drug addiction can lead to crime.  If you or someone you love has a problem with drug abuse, call our hotline now at 1-877-340-3602.

Rehabs in New Jersey and many other states are finding issues with bath salts becoming more and more prevalent.  Whether you’re having trouble with a designer drug, a street drug, or a prescription drug, call us now.  Our drug rehab program can help.