News / Health & Wellness
When Overdose Isn’t Addiction
Overdose isn’t always a sign of addiction, sometimes it’s just a cry for help.
So often, when we hear about an overdose, it’s by someone who is battling a substance abuse problem. Often times those overdoses are accidental, merely the result of an addicted person taking too much of a substance that was stronger than anticipated or laced with something they were unaware of. Other overdoses by addicted persons are a desperate effort to escape the pain of their disease through death.
Overdose isn’t always a sign of drug use, though. Reports recently surfaced that the wife of TV personality Larry King attempted suicide in May 2010 by overdosing on prescription drugs as a result of a purported bout of depression.
King’s Prescription Overdose
According to police reports that were recently made public on the celeb website TMZ,
an officer with the Provo, Utah police entered 50 year-old Shawn King's residence on May 2. Paramedics were in her bedroom treating her, and there were "multiple pill bottles, all of which were empty on the bed."
“The report noted ‘scriptures, a purse, other various books’ and a letter ‘which appeared to be a note left by the victim,’ according to Reuters. All of this led the officer to label the incident an attempted suicide in his report.
Medications involved in the incident included Ambien, Klonopin and Clonazepam, according to the report, but there is no reason to believe that a prescription addiction played any role in this.
As unconfirmed reports of the drug overdose began surfacing in the media, CNN talk show host Larry King issued a statement saying, "I am extremely supportive of Shawn. Reports that we have fought are absolutely false. I love her dearly. Our marriage is still together and I am staying very close to our children, who we love immensely. We shall go through this difficult time intact as a family."
Overdose Prevention
Don’t let addiction lead to overdose. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
