Child of a beautiful Hollywood starlet, married to men whose faces grace the covers of grocery store magazines and a movie star in her own right – the life of the rich and famous is full of privilege and advantages. Sometimes those lives are also full of sadness and struggles common to the rest of us. Movie star Melanie Griffith, at least, says that summarizes a large part of her life.
Read more about Melanie Griffith’s Life-Long Battle with Addiction
We all love a dysfunctional family. In the world of prescription drugs, no family is more dysfunctional than the “Codones.” While these drugs are highly effective for alleviating severe or chronic pain, they also pose a significant threat of addiction for those who misuse this class of drugs.
Dr. David Stidham was a young, handsome graduate of Harvard Medical School when he moved his family to Tucson, Arizona, to become a partner in an eye surgery clinic for children. His patients and their parents adored him, and he was so successful that he planned to open a solo practice. On October 4, 2004, Dr. Stidham’s body was found in his office parking lot. He had been stabbed 16 times in what police believed was a random act of violence.
The substance that is ending more lives in the U.S. than even cocaine and heroin together can be found in many home medicine cabinets – prescription painkillers. The problem is generating new government attention with a five-year plan as “pill mills” continue to pop up in Florida – and the numbers of nationwide deadly overdoses, new addictions and car accidents related to the drugs’ abuse continue to escalate.
Read more about Federal Five-Year Plan to Aggressively Attack Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Read more about Paula Abdul Breaks Longtime Addiction to Pain Medications
Millions of patients are prescribed painkillers like Vicodin following a surgery or procedure, but the widely-used medication has serious long-term use risks, including addiction, dependence, and the potential for major health problems.
A new study reports that the use of opioid painkillers amongst former NFL players is on the rise. Financially, there is a lot riding on sporting events, and one injury can ruin a person’s career. Even in the midst of dealing with serious injuries, professional athletes are feeling the pressure to perform.
Read more about Pain, Injuries leave NFL Retirees Battling OxyContin and Other Painkiller Addictions
While it may have started innocently enough, once you’re hooked on painkillers the road back to normal can be rough – and lengthy. In many cases, a person doesn’t even realize they’ve become dependent on the substances until they run out of the source – pills, access to prescriptions, no street hook-up or friends willing to share. Painkiller abuse can be overcome, but, just like any other drug of choice, it isn’t easy.
Some people start using this drug just for fun and relaxation; others got their first dosage from a doctor’s prescription. Some people do not become addicted. Others become hooked within a week. This is what makes OxyContin® such a dangerous drug.
The aggressive nature of contact sports takes its toll on the body, leaving many players to cope with chronic aches and pains. In order to manage sports related injuries, the use of painkillers such as Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Percocet has become more common. Financially, there is a lot riding on sporting events, and one injury can ruin a person’s career. Even in the midst of dealing with serious injuries, professional athletes are feeling the pressure to perform.
Read more about Addiction to Painkillers a Dirty Secret in Professional Sports