Welcome to the world of recovery

In 1996, it appeared that one of the top distributors of the unforeseen opioid epidemic was a company called Purdue Pharma, and it also appeared to be one of the biggest in the U.S. Purdue Pharma took the lead in distributing this new drug called OxyContin in the mid to late 1990s and from a marketing standpoint did very well in marketing to consumers across America. The excessive visibility of the drug OxyContin about the rise of increased abuse and substance abuse by the early to mid-2000s, this drug had become one of the leading drugs of abuse in our country. However, researchers of the pill stated that it would be safe to take and that patients would not become addicted to taking them. Later, we know how that story ends.

Sales representatives working for the company were given huge bonuses for the sales made in their respective areas. As a result, there was a vast number of doctor visits to physicians with seemingly high rates of opioid prescriptions across the nation. This was the financial outcome for their workforce. In 2001, the average sales representative’s yearly income was just over $50,000, and annual bonuses were given around $70,000 per salesperson, ranging from $20,000 to over $200,000. However, because of the damage Purdue Pharma has done to society in their participation in selling this drug, the company has agreed to stop promoting OxyContin to U.S. doctors (Whalen, J. 2018). We will see why later in this blog.

Are You Ready to Change?

But the damage done may have already been too late. Today over 2 million individuals struggle with some type of chemical addiction in the U. S., and an estimated 260 million prescriptions for opioids are written yearly by physicians. So, could the physicians writing these legal prescriptions be the “drug dealer” unknowingly to so many? Purdue Pharma was certainly not the only company distributing an opioid drug. Other big-name pharma companies such as AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson have been in distribution in the past two decades. The opioid epidemic has destroyed millions of lives and has also devastated our economy greatly. “Drug treatment is costly, and the sad part is that only 1 in 10 addicts get the help they need to survive, and only 1 in 3 addicts have no adequate health insurance and no way to pay for any treatment” (Mojtabai, R. et al., 2005-2018). Next, we will look at how this crisis has affected our culture and some of the adverse effects that go along with it.

For more information for yourself, a friend or a family member please visit https://na.org/

References:

Mojtabai, R., Mauro, C., Wall, M. M., Barry, C. L., & Olfson, M. (2020). Private health insurance coverage of drug use disorder treatment: 2005–2018. 

Whalen, J. (2018). Purdue Pharma to stop promoting OxyContin to US doctors. The Wall Street Journal.

Opioid addiction has taken America by storm. To date, it is currently the most dangerous drug available and readily accessible to almost anyone. This drug does not discriminate at all and has destroyed the lives of the wealthy, the poor, black, white, brown, educated, uneducated, famous, and ordinary individuals alike. What can governmental officials, rehab treatment centers, and hospitals do, if anything, to decrease and control this addiction to opioids that is bringing America to a standstill? This blog will address several factors: how and when this epidemic began, who its top distributors are, what the negative results of using are, and how this situation can end.

How Did This Epidemic of Opioids Begin

To begin with, opioid addiction started its inception in the early 1990s. Physicians at that time and in the past considered opioids to be dangerous to society and hesitated to write prescriptions that would lead to overdosing. However, around 1996, a company called Purdue Pharma, a privately held pharmaceutical company based out of Stamford, CT., released a new drug by the name of OxyContin, which was marketed to be safe and not addictive to those whom their researchers prescribed it. But as a result, the profit from the sales of the pill went through the roof, and so did addictive behaviors, overdoses, and even the death rate. Sales grew from $48 million in 1996 to almost $1.1 billion in 2000 and were indeed a commercial success as they related to profit, but also a public health tragedy.

“Initiative, this new “wonder drug” could, with one dose, relieve pain for the subsequent 12 hours, which was over twice of the existing drugs on the market that had palliative pain for 4-6 hours” (Chow, R. 2019). As society needed painkillers for different reasons, people began to build a tolerance for OxyContin and other pain-killing medications such as Percocet. So, it appeared that the more opioid prescription pain medications that were available, the more society wanted. And wanting more of this drug somehow began the cycle of addiction. However, everyone who suffered from pain after surgery or who was dealing with pain in general did not get hooked, but for some, it was the beginning of an addiction.

Are You Ready to Change?

Now that our culture was craving more prescription drugs like OxyContin and Percocet, and big pharma companies and doctors who were willing to write prescriptions, it then led to a drug called heroin made from morphine, which has been around for years. “Today, it is noted that the narcotic drug heroin makes up for 71% of opiate substance use around the world, and globally, it has been estimated that 15.6 million people either abuse or are addicted to heroin” (Doweiko, 2015). According to the National Center on Health Statistics, 43% of individuals are addicted to various prescription medications, 24% of people are addicted to heroin, 18% are addicted to a drug called Benzodiazepine, and 12% of people are addicted to cocaine. The excellent news about opioid addiction is that it is treatable. There are 23 million people in treatment recovery, but one question remains. Who were or are the top distributors of opioid drugs, and what was their objective in prescribing these pills?

For more information for yourself, a friend or a family member please visit https://na.org/

References:

Chow, R. (2019). Purdue Pharma and OxyContin–A Commercial Success But Public Health Disaster. Harvard Public Health Review, 25.

Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Substance abuse and dependency in America is a tremendous tragedy dating back to the beginning of the earlier settlers in the “New World,” costing millions of dollars in recovery and rehabilitation today. Mental health itself in America seems to be increasing more and more in dealing with a global pandemic, high gas prices, a fragile economy, anxiety, and so much uncertainty. Now, combine both substance abuse and mental illness together, and what we have in our nation is chaos.

We are living in a world today like none other, and as time goes on, it may only get worse. For those who are struggling with substance use and mental illness, there appear to be some common characteristics with this population, such as loneliness, anxiety, boredom, and isolation. “Unfortunately, with mental illness and substance abuse, dual diagnosis disorders that these men and women display are bipolar disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, major depression, personality disorders, and pathological gambling” (Van Wormer, K. et al., 2018).

Are You Ready to Change?

 So, what can mental health professionals, counselors, pastors, and community leaders do to decrease comorbidity/dual diagnosis in people with an addiction? It appears America has been fighting the war on drugs for decades now, and it seems like the drugs are winning. Laws are passed to deter the behavior, yet more private prisons appear to be being built. However, the rules are being broken, and the prison system seems to be overflowing with those who have an addiction. “More than half of all prison and jail inmates were found to have a mental health problem, and over 70% of these individuals have a co-occurring substance use disorder” (Van Wormer et al., 2018).

What are the obstacles involved in the treatment and recovery process of clients with dual diagnoses, and who can we blame? Healthcare insurance companies or lack of healthcare protection for people with an addiction, available resources in the community for those who have no transportation, and the amount of “red tape” from city, county, and state governments and politicians who appear to be on board to help with recovery yet let so many slip through the cracks.

References:

Jackson, Chris. “Drug Addiction-to-Recovery Trajectories in British Sociocultural and Political Contexts: A

Synthetic Discursive Exploration.” https://core.ac.uk/download/327948675.pdf.

Van Wormer, K., and Davis, D.R. (2018) Addiction Treatment. New York

Although it may feel like it from the perspective of the addicted individual, addiction doesn’t happen overnight. While many factors contribute to drug and alcohol addiction, including genetic and environmental influences, socioeconomic status, and preexisting mental health conditions, most professionals within the field of addiction agree that there are four main stages of addiction: experimentation, regular use, high-risk use, and addiction or dependency. Of course, not everyone in the first two stages of this process will develop a habit, but individuals within the third stage are incredibly likely to progress into full-blown addicts. Understanding these stages is critical in recognizing that you may have a problem and seeking help before your substance use transforms into an addiction.

Stage One: Experimentation

One of the trickiest aspects of addiction is recognizing that often the first samples of drugs or alcohol produce few or no adverse consequences. Experimentation, defined as the voluntary use of drugs without experiencing any negative social or legal matters, is often accepted or encouraged, particularly among young adults. Unfortunately, the person using the substance primarily views this instance of getting high or getting drunk as a one-time occurrence without recognizing that this opens the door to the downward spiral of addiction. The individuals who can stop using by themselves will do so, while those who believe substance use will continue to make them feel good or solve their problems will progress into the next stage of regular use.

Stage Two: Regular Use

Stage two represents a fork in the road for many people. While some people may be able to engage in the regular use of drugs or alcohol without developing an addiction, the risk for dependence dramatically increases during this stage, as does the risk of participating in high-risk behaviors, such as driving under the influence. The occasional drink or drug becomes common, like sleeping or brushing your teeth. Substance use becomes another part of the routine, and before you can step away from using, you’re fooled into a false sense of security that it will be easy to quit. During this stage, some people may develop guilt or shame for their behavior but will continue to justify it or make excuses.

Are You Ready to Change?

Stage Three: Abuse

The line between regular and high-risk use is fragile but usually defined as the continued use of drugs or alcohol despite severe social or legal consequences. What started as a temporary escape from reality now takes precedence over other facets of your life, and you become either unafraid or unaware of the results of your behavior. Cravings become unbearable and may drive you to do things you wouldn’t usually do to get your hands on more drugs or alcohol. You may also begin to justify dangerous behaviors, such as operating machinery while high or driving your kids to school while drunk, as necessary undertakings, and your work, relationships, and other obligations suffer as a result.

Stage Four: Addiction/Dependency

Once the final stage is reached, you have entered addiction and complete dependency upon the substance. It’s no longer a question of whether or not you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol. When you don’t receive them, your body lets you know in the form of symptoms like shakes, sweats, tremors, and other frantic behavior. You spend most of the time drunk or high, and you don’t want anything to stand in the way of it. This is the stage where you can’t, even if someone tells you that your life depends on stopping your behavior.

Fortunately, no matter which stage of addiction you’re in, help is available. Addiction is a progressive illness that only gets worse when left untreated. If you’re ready to admit that you have a problem and embark on recovery, speak to one of our compassionate counselors today about substance abuse recovery.

References:

Understanding the 4 Stages of Addiction | Phoenix House Florida | Substance Use Treatment in Tampa.

Understanding the 4 Stages of Addiction

Any form of addiction can indeed be a very long and tedious process for the individual to change behavior. However, some people with an addiction appear to recover quickly, almost immediately, from their addictions and seem to be able to live a functional life in society. In the world of addictions, there seem to be many forms of developing a habit and sustaining that addictive habit.

If we look at the world of sexual addiction, for example, many forms or types of addictions are developed in a particular way. “The concept of Behavior Building Blocks seems to be a common thread among sex addicts” (Laaser, 2004). These behavior building blocks appear to be routines people with an addiction use to feed their addictions. For example, one form of addiction is added to another form of addiction, which is added to another form of addiction, and so on. These patterns firmly hold onto the individual and may take years to break free. So, how do people with addictions change their behaviors?

Today, there are many support groups in the community that will help the individual change, if the change is desired. With any addiction such as alcohol, there are alcoholics anonymous (AA) and Gambling Anonymous (GA), and for those dealing with heavy drug use, there is Narcotics Anonymous (NA). There is also a spiritual faith-based 12-step recovery group called Celebrate Recovery. With so many available free resources in the community, what causes some people to reduce the amount of use or stop completely by reaching out for assistance, yet others do not have the same results? As stated in an earlier post, addiction is a disease, and it may not be that easy to ask for help.

Are You Ready to Change?

It would depend on the individual’s situation, living environment, amount of family support, mental and physical functioning, and willingness to change. The only requirement to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous is having the desire to stop drinking. It has to be the person’s will and desire over the addiction to want to stop. Dealing with any behavior change is one way of changing behavior better than another. For example, some changes in behavior may require medication management, therapy, a life coach, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient treatment. So again, it may depend on what is needed at that time and where the person with an addiction is in the stages of change.

“When a person who is addicted to alcohol stops drinking without getting treatment, it is called natural recovery or a strength-based perspective” (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). There also appear to be six themes of recovery with solid base therapy. These are identified as competent human beings, the need for personal control or choice, the need for hope, the need for purpose, the need for a sense of achievement, and the presence of at least one critical supportive person in their lives.

For these “ Behavioral Building Blocks” to be destroyed over some time in a person’s mind and to reduce addictive behaviors in the long term, a person must incorporate these six specific themes of recovery in their lives, especially the need for hope, need for purpose and a sense of achievement.

References:

Laaser, M. R. (2004). Healing the wounds of sexual addiction: Grand Rapids, MI

Van Wormer, K., and Davis, D.R. (2018) Addiction Treatment. New York

We, who struggle with addiction whether it’s chemical addiction or behavioral addiction such as gambling or sex addiction know the road to recovery can be long, frustrating, and a never-ending journey. However, the journey can begin today. That’s right. You can be free from your addiction at this very moment. The moment you decide in your mind you want to be free, you’re free. Yes, it’s that simple. However, the actual journey begins when actionable steps are incorporated such as putting up guard rails, implementing boundaries, having strong accountability, possessing a determination to change the negative behavioral patterns, and understanding the stages of change you can and will overcome any addictive behavior. Coming from a family of alcoholics and being a former alcoholic and substance user myself, I know it can be done.

But what are some of the determining factors of substance abuse use in America? “With just under 5% of the world’s population, the United States consumes around 60% of the illicit drugs produced on the earth” (Doweiko, 2015). That means 95% of the world’s population consumes only 40% of illegal drugs. America, we have a serious drug issue, and there seem to be multiple reasons why someone would use drugs like intense high school and college peer pressure, isolation, especially during this global pandemic, mental health issues like depression, PTSD, fear, and anxiety, growing up in a dysfunctional family environment and many other factors including criminal activity. Did you know the rate of alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. rose by 30% in the first year of COVID-19?

Are You Ready to Change?

Sadly to admit I can testify my own family has dealt with alcoholism. I have seen firsthand what alcohol has done to my father who died of lung cancer and liver damage due to alcohol and 40-plus years of smoking cigarettes. Also, I have a sibling who is currently in a rehab facility due to the abuse of alcoholism. I have heard countless stories of families being destroyed by drugs and alcohol. Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors (Feltenstein & See, 2008) mainly because drug addiction is also a disease. Yes, it is a disease and a sickness, and many are not willing to seek healing, therefore, leading to one of the significant causes of abuse and addiction.

References:                                    :                                                                   

Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning

Feltenstein, M. W., & See, R. E. (2008). The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview. British Journal of Pharmacology, 154(2), 261-274.