Drug Rehab in Connecticut – Methadone death toll is rising quickly

A recent study published by the NDIC indicates a 390% increase in deaths due to methadone since 1999. Increase in methadone deaths attributed to the drugs immerging popularity for use with chronic pain sufferers as well as increased diversion (stealing from legitimate sources and diverting to the street for illegal consumption).

The highest overdose rate was experienced among those between the ages of 15 – 24.

Opiate addiction or dependence which is recognized as a central nervous system disorder, can affect anyone from any walk of life. Opiate addiction is essentially what happens after someone intakes opiods such as Heroin, Oxycontin, Percocet and others for extended periods of time causing the brain to stop producing the vital chemical dopamine (the body’s natural response to pain as well as other physical activities) which in turn causes an uncontrollable urge for that person to have to ingest more of the drug they had been taking just to feel “normal”.

Opiate dependence while chemically the same as addiction more often occurs in people who have suffered from chronic or severe pain and have to be on this type of medication for an extended period of time. Normally to avoid any unpleasant effects the person’s physician will taper them off of the medication so the patient’s brain function has a chance to return to normal. Once the brain is actively producing dopamine and as long as the patient is no longer in pain, the medication is no longer medically needed.

Recent events involving celebrities and deaths may be a result of abusing prescription opiods or other drugs. Celebrity and extremely talented actor Heath Ledger is one example of the tragic results that often occur by mixing prescription drugs. In addition to several opiods, also present in his blood at time of death were other medications in a class known as benzodiazepines. His death had been ruled an accidental overdose caused by acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine. It is not yet known what caused the death of mega celebrity Michael Jackson. There has been no official cause of death from the medical examiner who is awaiting the toxicology report. There has been much speculation that Jackson had been using the drug Diprivan. Diprivan also known as Propofol or “Milk of Amnesia”, is a powerful intravenous sedative used primarily to induce a deep sleep before anesthesia is administered in an operating room. 

With more and more people being affected by this everyday, it is time for an educational campaign against addiction to opioid derived drugs, prescription drugs as well as any addictive substance. 

For more information on addiction and its’ effects on people and their families, please visit our website at http://www.mountainside.org

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center has been helping people recover from alcoholism for over 12 years.

It's licensed and credentialed counselors and clinical staff includes an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who is a specialist in drug addiction and alcoholism treatment. The highly capable drug addiction treatment team is dedicated to providing compassionate and quality alcohol and drug treatment. In these hard economic times - Mountainside Drug Rehab is there to help. Please contact us at the number below or visit it's website at (www.mountainside.org/drug-rehab).

If you or someone you love is in need of treatment please contact us at:

800-762-5433