With the release of the New York City medical examiner’s report on Heath Ledger’s death, we finally understand that a combination of prescription medications ended his short life. What remains hidden, however, is the ease with which these drugs can inadvertently be abused, with life-endangering results.
Three of the prescriptions listed in the toxicology report were benzodiazepines, the type of drug often used for anxiety or panic attacks. The three benzodiazepines on the list were diazepam (known to many as Valium), alprazolam (marketed as Xanax) and temazepam (often sold as Restoril or Euhypnos). Each may be prescribed for insomnia. The other drugs listed on the toxicology report were painkillers hydrocodone and oxydcodone and the antihistamine doxylamine, which may also be prescribed for sleeping problems.
Use of these benzodiazepines can, in some people, result in confusion or memory loss which may contribute to improper dosage control or drug combinations. A person who is trying desperately to sleep can forget how much of a given drug he has taken and take more, simply in the effort to get some rest.
Benzodiazepines also present a risk for abuse and addiction. Eric V. was a fourteen-year-old figure skater in Texas when he began to take benzodiazepines for anxiety. “When I took these drugs, I got a good, warm feeling – but the dangerous thing was that I didn’t care about anything,” he said. “I felt serene but apathetic. So it felt just fine to take more of the drug than I was supposed to so I could get a high feeling out of it. Because I felt apathetic, any problems resulting from taking the drug meant nothing to me.”
By the time Eric was sixteen, he was addicted and buying more of the drugs from friends who were willing to sell some of their prescriptions. “I began forgetting what time it was or whether it was day or night outside. I had a close call one time when I had a seizure as I was walking in my home. I picked myself up afterwards, said I was fine and went in my house. But I didn’t remember any of it later. A friend had to tell me about it.”
Finally, his dependence drove a wedge between him and his family. “I had stolen things from them, lied and upset them over and over again. I knew I needed help to stop depending on these drugs. I had to get control of my own life again.” Eric found Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma, where he completed a drug-free program to eliminate his addiction. “Since I finished this program, I’ve been able to leave drug addiction and dependence behind and restore my relationships with my family.”
Since 1966, the Narconon program has been helping people escape from the trap of drug or alcohol abuse and addiction. “No one starts taking drugs in an effort to become addicted,” stated Ryan Thorpe, Director of Admissions at Narconon Arrowhead. “They are seeking a solution to a problem or relief from anxiety or pain. When the solution is physically or mentally addictive, they need help to return to a productive and enjoyable life. The Narconon program has helped thousands of addicts build new, completely drug-free lives.”
To save someone from addiction, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or go to www.stopaddiction.com. The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program was founded in 1966 by William Benitez in Arizona State Prison, and is based on the humanitarian works of L. Ron Hubbard. In more than 120 centers around the world, Narconon programs replace the loss and pain of alcohol or drug addiction with productive, enjoyable lives.
