Heroin Deaths Rise As Crackdown On Prescription Drug Abuse Succeeds

[Wizard777]

Heroin deaths rise as crackdown on prescription drug abuse succeeds

As efforts to crack down on abuse of prescription drugs have worked, a new problem has cropped up.

Addicts who can no longer get their fix by popping pills are turning to old-fashioned street drugs – most notably, heroin.

The trend is showing up in local arrests, drug seizures and visits to treatment centers. Drug dealers are having to switch their product line and finding new markets in the suburbs where teenagers once got their stash from the local drug store or their parents' medicine cabinet.

[Wizard777]

I have to say that because of uniform doseage the prescriptions provide a slightly safer alternative to heroin. This depends entire upon how the user takes them. There are basically two methods. Those that take the opiates to get high and those that take it to stave off withdraw. Using the high to determine doseage is the more dangerous of the two because of the half life. When you no longer feel high your body has only metabolized/processed about half of what you have taken. This starts a cycle that can end in a fatal overdose.

To keep the math simple we'll say the dose is 10mg. So they take 10mg and a few hours later they are no longer high. There is still 5mg that has not been metabolized and they take another 10mg to get high. Now they have 15mg in them. A few hours later they are no longer high a and their is now 7.5mg that has not been metabolized. So they take another 10mg and now there is 17.5 mg in them. This keeps escalating until they reach a level where that next dose will be an overdose. It is slightly safer to use the onset of withdraw to determine next dose because the opiate is near depletion when withdraw begins.

All this is merely a conventional wisdom developed through a process of trial and error where the errors are fatalities or near fatalities. This is to fill the void of professional medical knowledge, experience and guidance. Keeping in mind that even with professional medical knowledge, experience and guidance you merely have a slightly safer alternative. Overdose deaths happen even when opiates are used under medical supervision for legitimate medical purposes. Which brings us to this.

In comparison, overdose deaths related to prescription opiodes [sic] like oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone have declined by 15 percent, from 208 to 177. Overall drug overdose deaths rose 6 percent.

If this is total opioid overdoses then these are not all recreational users. Those numbers would also include overdoses from legitimate medical use. But I think it would be very revealing to subcatagorize recreational and medical use overdoses to compare the numbers. I think the benefits of professional medical knowledge, experience and guidance in use would be evident.

There has got to be a better way of dealing with this problem. What we can be sure of is that the human toll alone of just say no prohibition policies make them cost prohibitive. We have got get off our moral high horses and walk with them as they are lead to a safer place in life.

[overtaxed]

I think it is the rare heroin addict that gets their act together. Over the years I have known a few. It would have been better for all if they would have died. The worst part is the ones with kids.
As for forced rehab. A total waste of time and money.

[TheResearcher]

They could always refuse to use illegal drugs of any kind, you know, take personal responsibility for their own lives. And I am having lunch with a great friend, 26 years as a heroin addict, been clean going on 5 years. One day, he just said, "No."

[Wizard777]

They could always refuse to use illegal drugs of any kind, you know, take personal responsibility for their own lives. And I am having lunch with a great friend, 26 years as a heroin addict, been clean going on 5 years. One day, he just said, "No."

In a perfect world full of perfect people. But we don't live in that world. Nor will we ever. In fact we went to war with the guy that wanted to create a perfect world full of perfect people to stop him from doing that.

[TheResearcher]

In a perfect world full of perfect people. But we don't live in that world. Nor will we ever. In fact we went to war with the guy that wanted to create a perfect world full of perfect people to stop him from doing that.

Horse manure. He's not perfect and neither am I. I beat my own addiction as well. Neither of us needed gubmint help to do so. We're both strong. We're both determined. We're both Conservatives. If we were lyberals, we'd still either be hooked to our own addictiond or crying about how it's all society's fault in some lyberal democrat great society social program's taxpayer-funded meetings. The only people addicts should blame are themselves. Just look for two guys, one black, one white, who look like they're bouncers, walking around Fell's Point in about an hour.

[Jim F]

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had the type of pain that one would wish on your worst enemy type of pain.
Thanks to anti-cancer drugs such as Bicalutamide and Lupron, the swelling and major pain is down.

I'm prescribed Oxycodone (Percocet) in 5.325 mg tablets. The label on the container says
take one every 4 hours as needed.
My pain level is low enough now that I can just ignore it during my daily routine. I take one
about every other night, as it helps me to sleep.

I know what they are, treat them with respect, and keep them at arm's length.
I've absolutely no desire to start popping them to get zoned out. I've more important things to do.

Recently, a friend opined that I don't have what's known as an "addictive personality".
Dunno... - sounds like psychobabble to me.

[Wizard777]

Horse manure. He's not perfect and neither am I. I beat my own addiction as well. Neither of us needed gubmint help to do so. We're both strong. We're both determined. We're both Conservatives. If we were lyberals, we'd still either be hooked to our own addictiond or crying about how it's all society's fault in some lyberal democrat great society social program's taxpayer-funded meetings. The only people addicts should blame are themselves. Just look for two guys, one black, one white, who look like they're bouncers, walking around Fell's Point in about an hour.

Right you did it in you're own time and your own way. Recovery is not a one size fits all proposition. What works for one will not work for all. Which is basically my point. There are a lot of people that couldn't get sober until they quit going to AA or NA. It's the absolute obession with these groups have with clean time that gets them. At some point and time it ceases to be a day, a month, a year or even a decade sober. It's a day, a month, a year or even a decade without a drink or a drug and they have to have one right now. But when they decide their done and just don't do it anymore they have greater success. Because they can tuck that learned behavior away in some dark recess of their mind to atrophy and cease to exist. They don't need to dedicate 1 hour a day everyday to remembering things it's more productive for them to be able to forget.

[PaleAleMan]

I think it is the rare heroin addict that gets their act together. Over the years I have known a few. It would have been better for all if they would have died. The worst part is the ones with kids.
As for forced rehab. A total waste of time and money.

.
It's not a rare addict. In fact, quite a few can get their act together. And as far as forced rehab works, drug courts and other specialized problem solving courts are proof that forced treatment can and does work. Not for everyone, but for a significant percentage.

[PaleAleMan]

Horse manure. He's not perfect and neither am I. I beat my own addiction as well. Neither of us needed gubmint help to do so. We're both strong. We're both determined. We're both Conservatives. If we were lyberals, we'd still either be hooked to our own addictiond or crying about how it's all society's fault in some lyberal democrat great society social program's taxpayer-funded meetings. The only people addicts should blame are themselves. Just look for two guys, one black, one white, who look like they're bouncers, walking around Fell's Point in about an hour.

I applaud you and your friend. I have a friend who freely talks about his 70+ arrests, numerous incarcerations, and years of addiction. He's now been clean about 17 years.

But if you think it's your conservative values that helped you and your friend get and stay clean, you're mistaken. Addiction and recovery isn't a liberal or conservative issue. Trying to make it so cheapens the discussion.

[demopublican]

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had the type of pain that one would wish on your worst enemy type of pain.
Thanks to anti-cancer drugs such as Bicalutamide and Lupron, the swelling and major pain is down.

I'm prescribed Oxycodone (Percocet) in 5.325 mg tablets. The label on the container says
take one every 4 hours as needed.
My pain level is low enough now that I can just ignore it during my daily routine. I take one
about every other night, as it helps me to sleep.

I know what they are, treat them with respect, and keep them at arm's length.
I've absolutely no desire to start popping them to get zoned out. I've more important things to do.

Recently, a friend opined that I don't have what's known as an "addictive personality".
Dunno... - sounds like psychobabble to me.

Best of wishes for a complete recovery. I have a friend going through it right now as well.

[overtaxed]

.
It's not a rare addict. In fact, quite a few can get their act together. And as far as forced rehab works, drug courts and other specialized problem solving courts are proof that forced treatment can and does work. Not for everyone, but for a significant percentage.

Yeah. My niece has been 15 times. A guy I work with, his son has been 3. Both will be dead before they reach 30. Both family's will be much better off at that time.
My neighbor's brother 5, my cousin 4.
Not a very precise survey, but I don't see the significant percentage of forced rehab working. Other than to get them methadone, which they take with the heroin.

[PaleAleMan]

Yeah. My niece has been 15 times. A guy I work with, his son has been 3. Both will be dead before they reach 30. Both family's will be much better off at that time.
My neighbor's brother 5, my cousin 4.
Not a very precise survey, but I don't see the significant percentage of forced rehab working. Other than to get them methadone, which they take with the heroin.

Perhaps there's a difference in what we mean by "forced" treatment. Drug courts and other specialized courts make treatment a condition of participation -- treatment is forced or coerced. You can check the literature for the benefits.

What's your meaning of "forced" treatment?

[demopublican]

I have seen it work and I have seen it fail.

The person needs to want to stop and the same time help is available.
And than they need to have a good support system after they get clean.
A perfect storm of sorts.

[octoburn]

Horse manure. He's not perfect and neither am I. I beat my own addiction as well. Neither of us needed gubmint help to do so. We're both strong. We're both determined. We're both Conservatives. If we were lyberals, we'd still either be hooked to our own addictiond or crying about how it's all society's fault in some lyberal democrat great society social program's taxpayer-funded meetings. The only people addicts should blame are themselves. Just look for two guys, one black, one white, who look like they're bouncers, walking around Fell's Point in about an hour.

If it was really just about being strong youi would not have become an addict in the first place. All situations are not the same. Ask Limbaugh.

[octoburn]

I have seen it work and I have seen it fail.

The person needs to want to stop and the same time help is available.
And than they need to have a good support system after they get clean.
A perfect storm of sorts.

Yes. And they have to change the circle of people with whom they associate to help stay away from falling into the same old habits.

[octoburn]

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had the type of pain that one would wish on your worst enemy type of pain.
Thanks to anti-cancer drugs such as Bicalutamide and Lupron, the swelling and major pain is down.

I'm prescribed Oxycodone (Percocet) in 5.325 mg tablets. The label on the container says
take one every 4 hours as needed.
My pain level is low enough now that I can just ignore it during my daily routine. I take one
about every other night, as it helps me to sleep.

I know what they are, treat them with respect, and keep them at arm's length.
I've absolutely no desire to start popping them to get zoned out. I've more important things to do.

Recently, a friend opined that I don't have what's known as an "addictive personality".
Dunno... - sounds like psychobabble to me.

It sounds like you are a strong person who is aware of the dangers. More importantly ~ Thank you for sharing your story. i wish you well in your battle and a full recovery.

[songfourone]

Horse manure. He's not perfect and neither am I. I beat my own addiction as well. Neither of us needed gubmint help to do so. We're both strong. We're both determined. We're both Conservatives. If we were lyberals, we'd still either be hooked to our own addictiond or crying about how it's all society's fault in some lyberal democrat great society social program's taxpayer-funded meetings. The only people addicts should blame are themselves. Just look for two guys, one black, one white, who look like they're bouncers, walking around Fell's Point in about an hour.

So, in your infinite wisdom, all substance abusers/addicts are liberal?

Someone needs to tell Rush Limbaugh

[Wizard777]

.
It's not a rare addict. In fact, quite a few can get their act together. And as far as forced rehab works, drug courts and other specialized problem solving courts are proof that forced treatment can and does work. Not for everyone, but for a significant percentage.

Drug rehabs have a 20% success rate for the first year after discharge. After 5 years that drops to about 5%. Drug court don't base their success rates on continued sobriety. They are based on rearrests. So a drug court with a 11% recidivism rate for the first year. That means the other 89% are either sober or getting high and not getting arrested.

[Wizard777]

Perhaps there's a difference in what we mean by "forced" treatment. Drug courts and other specialized courts make treatment a condition of participation -- treatment is forced or coerced. You can check the literature for the benefits.

What's your meaning of "forced" treatment?

Drug court capitalizes on a phobia like fear of jail. Since the treatment is under threat it's coerced or forced treatment. There is no getting around that. As far as I'm concerned it's little better than the courts of the Inquisition. They are in essence trying to overpower freewill to enact a conversion. It doesn't really matter if the conversion is from Jew to Christian or User/Addict to sober. They are equally opressive to the victims.