Preliminary coroner reports of Las Vegas Headliner Danny Gans have revealed "acute hydromorphone toxicity" as the cause of his untimely death on May 1, 2009. The 52-year-old Gans reportedly suffered from chronic pain sustained by injuries during his years in minor league baseball in addition to an existing high-blood pressure condition. Gans’ death is ruled accidental in combination with these factors.
The prescription drug Hydromorphone is a powerful opiate-based painkiller commonly marketed under the brand name Dilaudid and is considered to be three to five times more powerful than morphine. Opiate-based painkillers are narcotics prescribed for their moderate to severe pain relieving abilities. Medications with pain-relieving properties similar to Hydromorphone include Vicodin, OxyContin, Morphine and the street drug equivalent, heroin.
While Gans’ death is being ruled accidental, the interaction of this powerful prescription painkiller with his existing medical condition tragically cut short the life of a gifted entertainer.
Prescription drug abuse is rising at an alarming rate. SouthCoast Recovery, the leading drug and alcohol treatment center in Orange County, has admitted 40% of new clients in the past year for addiction to prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Valium or Ambien. In fact, the demand for prescription drug treatment has resulted in SouthCoast Recovery developing a specialized prescription drug program to treat the three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused, including opiate-based painkillers (Vicodin, Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Morphine); benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax); and stimulants (Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin).
Certain prescription drugs can have the same potency as street drugs when abused and as demonstrated in the tragic death of Danny Gans, can be deadly when combined with existing medical conditions or other prescription drugs. If you or someone you love is struggling with prescription drug addiction, don’t wait until it’s too late. SouthCoast Recovery is proud to be the nation’s foremost residential alcohol and drug rehab center with specialized 30, 60, 90-day and 6 month prescription drug treatment programs in Dana Point, California. We combine the finest clinical and medical care available with advanced holistic treatment methods into a personalized program for long-term success in recovery.
For a look at SouthCoast Recovery’s entire program visit http://www.southcoastrecovery.com.
