Over the last week the world lost a very talented musician and performer, Michael Jackson. According to reports, Jackson passed away after receiving a fatal shot of the drug Demerol that was given to him by his medical doctor for back pain. Further reports indicate that Jackson had been receiving shots of the drug for some time and there has also been speculation that Jackson was also addicted to the drug Oxy Contin.
Demerol and Oxy Contin are opiod drugs and when broken down synthetically contain many of the same chemicals derived from heroin. Both drugs are extremely addictive and have caused many thousand deaths per year with people of all age groups. These powerful opiates are also the main drug addictions being treated at drug rehab programs throughout the country currently.
Narconon Freedom Center, a long-term residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, has seen a major increase in the number of clients being treated for prescription pain addiction. “In the last 7 years since the center has been in operation,” says Ramsy Darwish, Director of Intake, “the percentage of people coming into our drug rehab program for addiction to pain medications has dramatically increased.” Darwish goes on to say, “Years ago most clients were struggling with addictions to drugs like crack, cocaine and even heroin. Today addictions to drugs like Demerol, OxyContin and even methadone are most prevalent.”
Parallel to the number of people getting hooked on these drugs is an increase is the availability of these drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 1 in 5 teens reported having abused the prescription drugs in their lifetime. In addition, data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 36 million U.S. residents aged 12 and older abused prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime.
Narconon Freedom Center does believe that those addicted to prescription pain medications can be treated successfully if they find the right program. “We have seen thousands clients who have permanently recovered from prescription pain medication addiction,” says Darwish, “and it’s because Narconon is a successful, drug-free rehabilitation program that achieves a more than 70% success rate for permanent recovery from addiction.”
Until something is done to limit the availability of prescription pain medications, individuals, celebrity or not, will continue to have open access to these drugs through prescriptions and as a result will fall into the trap of addiction and end up in jail or dead. And if they’re lucky they may get the chance at successful drug rehab program where they can end their addiction before it is too late.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to prescription pain medication contact Narconon Freedom Center at 877-362-9682.
