Doctors, Lawyers and drugs for the dual diagnosed

Erika 3 months ago on Wordpress

Christine,

In Micheal’s case his doctor does hold a lot of fault. More so because of the anesthetic used to “treat” his insomnia than anything else. Agreeing to put him under like that one doctor did is not only highly illegal, but also terribly irresponsible. I was so taken aback when I heard about it that I don’t think I could put it into words. Using a state of anesthesia to get somebody to sleep is such an abuse of practice. Of course, that is all made worse when you take into account the cocktail of other prescriptions he was taking. All of which, of course, were legally bought, even though his battles with drug addiction were in the public eye.

Thankfully, these “celebrity doctors” are not the majority. Most do try their hardest to “do no harm” and really have the best intentions. Unfortunately, all the questions and urine tests - which can be easily tricked to produce a negative result - in the world will not always guarantee detection of addicts/alcoholics. You mention suspicion, but many users will not say or do anything to alarm a doctor. While I do not argue that our doctors can do better, there are still times where there is nothing they can do.

So, the addiction continues and those three things you mention feed off each other (usage leads to dependence, which leads to cravings, the craving leads to more usage, which leads to lack of control, which leads to more usage, which leads to more severe dependence, which leads to stronger cravings, which leads to more usage, etc, etc). You mention that some are so severe you have to physically take the drug away from them and prevent access. While many will disagree, I think that if a person becomes a danger to himself/others, that method should be forcefully used. For the person and their family’s sake.

You are right about some being sicker than others. Even in my own family, there have been multiple different degrees of severity. Some have been able to sober up first try and others have remained stuck in the cycle of addiction. My father is, sadly, one of the latter. He’s lost his job, home, family, wife, finical stability and the opportunity to live a happy life. Still, whenever he can afford it, that rush from crack cocaine (or pot or beer) is at the top of his priorities.

At the same time, I don’t think anybody is to far gone to be saved. If people have successfully sobered up at seventy after years of drinking/using, then - with A LOT of work - anybody can.

With Love,

Erika ... See all content Hide content

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Erika 3 months, 1 week ago on Wordpress

Thank about it

should me *Think about it

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Christine Stapleton 3 months, 1 week ago on Wordpress

Many, many times doctors have prescribed pain pills, muscle relaxants, sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs to me for broken bones, pulled teeth, childbirth and major surgery.

Never has a doctor asked me if I am an addict/alcoholic or if I have any kind of history of substance abuse. Has your doctor or dentist asked you – much less screened you for substance abuse – before handing you a prescription for these drugs?

The same thing happens when doctors/nurses prescribe medications for depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses. If you are on these drugs, did your doctor/nurse ask about substance abuse before giving you a prescription for Xanax?

Everyone knows that we are brilliant liars, which is the reason why doctors must probe deeper than “Are you an alcoholic or drug addict?” on a form. Off the top of my head I can come up with a few questions that I would ask before writing one of these scripts.

1. When was the last time you had a drink?

2. How often do you drink?

3. When was the last time you had a hangover?

4. Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime involving drugs or alcohol?

5. How often to you smoke marijuana or use drugs not prescribed to you or for their intended use?

6. How many people in your family have had/do have a substance abuse or alcohol problem?

7. When you do not feel well or are in pain, what do you do?

The doctors should ask questions that require an explanation rather than “yes” or “no”. The questions should be asked and answered verbally, not on a form. It is easier – even for us alcoholics and addicts – to lie on paper than in person.

I completely agree that addicts and alcoholics bear some responsibility. However, to say that Michael Jackson was at fault for abusing the drugs is a misunderstanding of the disease. It is like saying that Michael Jackson is at fault for having a disease that wipes out his ability to control his drug use.

We cannot control our drinking our drug use. That is why we abuse drugs and alcohol. Our brains react differently to these substances than healthy brains. We are sick. We need doctors to ask more questions if we are going to get better. ... See all content Hide content

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Erika 3 months, 1 week ago on Wordpress

In Smith’s case, the fault was shared by both involved parties. Of course, Anna was wrong for abusing the drugs in the first place; however, the doctors clearly knew she was an addict (the whole country did), yet continued to write her prescriptions. More so, from what I understand after reading your blog, they even committed forgery. I would say the blame is divided in Michael Jackson’s case, as well: MJ was at fault for abusing the drugs, but that doctor should never have put him under as a “treatment” for insomnia.

Saying that, in the majority of cases I honestly don’t think the doctors deserve a lot of blame. Sure, there are far too many that abuse their license or over-prescribe certain medications; however, many do the best they can with the information available to them. Doctors are regular human beings, not mind readers or masters at spotting drug/alcohol-abusing patients.

As somebody who has seen multiple family members grapple with addiction, I know that addicts/alcoholics are masters at manipulating others. To get the high their minds crave, they will fake symptoms perfectly, lie completely about drug or alcohol abuse and, if they fail at one place, go right on to the next until they find someone who will believe them. Add that to the fact most doctors don’t have a lot of time to spend talking with the patients they see (thanks to our insurance companies) and you have a very toxic situation.

Of course, the alternative is to have doctors only prescribe medication when there is unquestionable proof of a condition; however, this would only leave people suffering. As someone else here mentioned, there are some things you just can’t test for. Pain and anxiety disorders are two great examples. Instead, these doctors have to take their patients’ word when they come begging for symptom relief.

Do you want to know what else can’t be medically tested for? Addiction, alcoholism and any other psychiatric disorders that could potentially coexist can’t. So, if somebody swears that they don’t drink heavily/drug and there is no revealing evidence to suggest they are lying (say, a drug-related felony conviction), then there is nothing a doctor can do but take their word.

With Love,

Erika ... See all content Hide content

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Erin 3 months, 1 week ago on Wordpress

Like the above commenter said I really think BOTH parties need to be held accountable. A good friend of mine is on long term opiate care for fibromyalgia. Unfortunately many kinds of pain can not be found on an xray…chronic back pain for example. Some addicts take advantage of that. If someone goes to a pain management clinic with “chronic back pain” and gets a script for vicodin or something they can keep going back to the same doctor getting prescription after prescription claiming their pain never went away. I’m not saying it’s right, but all I am saying is their really is no easy way. A database that tracks prescriptions is a good idea to see if the person bounces from doctor to doctor. But if one person goes to the same doctor month after month it’s really not going to help. Doctors do require random drug testing if they have patients on these meds long term. ... See all content Hide content

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Carrie 3 months, 1 week ago on Wordpress

It might be ok to point the finger at the doctor who treats a celebrity or a person that is so blatantly addicted to drugs, (I also think that people who engage in drug seeking behavior ALSO need to be held accountable for their behavior, let’s not let them off the hook that easily). But what about those addicts that go “dr shopping?” of course they aren’t going to admit that they are an addict. They are specifically going around from doctor to doctor in order to get controlled substances. The doctor doesn’t know they are addicted to opiates (or whatever their controlled substance of choice is). If they happen to overdose should the doctor be held responsible? especially if the patient didn’t let the doctor know they have a history of abuse. It’s really hard to say who should be to blame. ... See all content Hide content

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ChristineStaple 3 months, 1 week ago on Twitter

Doctors, lawyers, drugs, celebs and justice for the mentally ill...http://bit.ly/3JjyC1

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