Michael Jackson Superstar Drug Abuse

When a superstar as large as Michael Jackson dies, the world takes notice.  The world knows the doctor who apparently was giving him prescription medication and the pharmacy where Michael's prescriptions were filled.

Hopefully as the doctor's home is searched and the pharmacy is raided, the public interest will be piqued as to how this could occur.  With that question should come the realization that all is not well in our society – and in fact there are millions addicted to prescription medication – not just Michael Jackson. 

It has now been weeks since the death of Michael Jackson and the world is still waiting on official word on the cause of his death.  However the tangled web of doctors and prescriptions he left in his wake is an all too familiar situation for many in the drug treatment field.  It is unfortunate that it took the death of a giant to start a conversation in society that should have started years ago.   Something is wrong.

Mary Rieser director of Narconon of Georgia a drug rehab in Atlanta says, “The sheer number of prescriptions and the numerous doctor’s Michael has been associated over the years would definitely fit the pattern of most of the prescription drug addicts I see on a daily basis.”

Prescription drug addiction is the illegal use of drug normally prescribed by a doctor. In some situation the drugs are obtained by “doctor shopping”, where a person goes from doctor to doctor trying to get as many prescriptions as possible.

In the case of Michael Jackson, a person with limitless resources and millions of adoring fans, it was even easier for him to obtain these prescriptions.  Those close to Michael paint a picture which shows that Michael depended on others to feed his habit.

In an article in the Huffington Press, Chopra in part blames Jackson’s dependence on these drugs on medical colleagues who failed to realize Jackson’s growing addiction could lead to his death.

Prescription drug addiction is on the rise across the United States.  Emergency rooms are seeing a rise in accidental overdoses stemming from prescription drugs abuse.

Intense marketing and a resultant 150% rise in the numbers of prescriptions written has resulted in a growing number of people addicted to prescription drugs.

More than 15 million Americans abuse controlled substances—double the amount from a decade ago, according to a report issued by CASA.  This represents a clear problem for America because there is virtually no increase in drug treatment available.

Narconon of Georgia provides drug treatment and education for the entire southeast region.

Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program.