Nov. 29, 2007
Can A Pill Solve Prescription Drug Abuse?
In The Battle Against Drug Addiction, An Unlikely Breakthrough
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Play CBS Video Video Fighting Addiction With A Pill Experts say nearly five million Americans are abusing prescription drugs. But a new pill may help them kick the habit, and it can be prescribed by your family doctor. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.
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Video Breaking Addiction's Grip Non-medical use of prescription drugs by young adults is on the rise. For the victims and their families, the road back from addiction can be long and hard. Katie Couric reports.
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(CBS)
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Interactive Substance Abuse In America Get the facts on a national problem. Find out where to get help, learn how drugs affect the body and compare state drunk-driving laws.
But, as CBS News contributor Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports, he’s willing to talk about how prescription painkillers took over his life: Ten OxyContin pills a day, costing up to $12,000 a month.
"You know I just couldn't stop taking them; my body just craved them,” he said.
Prescription drug addicts like Brian have unique problems beating their habit because they see themselves as different from street junkies. Often because of the stigma attached to methadone clinics, they resist traditional treatment.
Brian felt helpless. He felt out of control. Until one day, he heard a commercial on his car radio.
“By the grace of God, I say it was a higher power. This ad came on the radio,” he said. “I called the next day and two days later I was in the study.”
Has he had any use of prescription painkillers since he started the study?
"None," he said.
“I didn't know how bad being on opiates affected me,” he said.
Patients in the trial are given counseling as well as a new kind of anti-addiction drug called Suboxone. It's an orange pill that's dissolved under the tongue.
Here's how it works: When people are addicted, new receptors are created in the brain, which crave opioids. If left unsatisfied, the receptor sends pain signals to the brain - this is withdrawal. If the receptor is satisfied with drugs, the withdrawal symptoms stop and the person gets high.
Suboxone works by taking the place of the opioids in the receptor - not only shutting off withdrawal symptoms but also blocking the effects of any new drugs.
"It can be quite powerful when people begin to use it. They say, ‘oh, I feel regular!’” explained Dr. Marc Gourevitch. “The brain chemistry has been stabilized to some extent.”
Gourevitch believes that we can now revolutionize the treatment of drug addiction.
Unlike methadone, Suboxone can be prescribed by any doctor, even a family physician, so treatment for addicts can now be convenient and discreet.
"When you're taking Suboxone, you're not high, you're not in withdrawal, you're at work, you're dealing with your loved ones, you're having regular interactions...you're going about your life,” Gourevitch said.
For Brian, life now involves not only counseling and but a personal inventory as well.
“I didn't want to wake up every morning and chop up OxyContin, sniff it again during the day. I mean, that's a terrible way of life,” he said. “The Suboxone got me far enough away to look and say ‘wow, look at your life. Let's address what's going on.”
The hope is one day that Suboxone can do for painkiller addiction that drugs like Prozac did for depression: convince the public that addiction is a brain disease, not a character flaw.
For more information about the drug Suboxone:
UPDATE: Suboxone has been FDA approved since 2002, but it also currently being tested in the clinical trial specifically for prescription painkiller addiction; which is what our piece is about.
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- Affordable drug intervention and treatments programs are major concern for the families who can?t afford expensive drug addiction treatment program. Some non-profit rehabilitation centers offer free drug treatment for families help. Many <A HREF=http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/Best/Pennsylvania-Drug-Rehabs.html>Pennsylvania drug treatment</A> centers offer free addiction treatments programs which satisfy al of your needs and care. Before the treatment they do your whole mental and physical analysis and give you the information about the treatment so that you get familiar with all their methods of therapeutic treatments and this makes you feel comfortable during addiction recovery.
http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/ - Reply to this comment
- It%u2019s not as simple as the poster below implies. Long term addiction changes the structure and chemistry of the brain from its otherwise health state. That%u2019s why it%u2019s been classified as a disease for over 50 years. Just like some people don%u2019t require medication for diabetes, asthma, or depression, some can beat addiction without medication too. But for those who can%u2019t, not unlike the other diseases, treatment for addiction with medication is effective and lifesaving.
Of course all non-medical approaches should be exhausted first, but if they result in repeated relapses, the next step may need to be taken. Relapse is a life-threatening event that is often minimized. The priority must be to avoid relapse and minimize the risk of relapse whenever possible, and that%u2019s what medication along with therapy can do.
Learn all of the facts. The decision to seek treatment is in effect a decision to live. No one approach is right for everyone, you need to find what is best for your particular situation and an Addiction Specialist can help.
Seek advice of healthcare experts, instead of listening to myth, legend and rumor. There have been many advances in the field of addiction and you owe it you or your loved ones to get all of the facts.
www.AddictionSite.org - Reply to this comment
- Replacing addictive and dangerous illegal drugs with legal addictive and dangerous ones is just ridiculous.
There are effective, non-drug methods to treat addiction so don''t be fooled that this is your only option.
Google "Drug Rehab" to start your research. - Reply to this comment
- Thank you CBS for not only reporting the problem but showing the solution too. Many people know all too well there is an addiction epidemic, but few know what can be done about it, especially new breakthroughs like Suboxone. Your report gave hope to many.
Anyone addicted to opioid pain killers of loved ones of an addicted person can find the help and resources to put the addiction is remission.
Learn the facts, connect with a certified physician, find a counselor or pharmacy familiar with this cutting edge treatment. Free resource kits available or use the discussion board to talk with people who have been successfully treated, read many patient stories.
Part of Addiction treatment is an education for the patient and the family. There is plenty of myth and misinformation out there about the disease of addiction, learn the facts.
www.AddictionSite.org - Reply to this comment
- A high five to all of you who are now on the road to recovery! I know people are down on the drug companies...but if this is helping some people just be happy for them. Addiction in a horrible thing that ruins more lives then just the addict''s life.
- Reply to this comment
- For everyone who doubts this form of treatment and says "You can''t cure a pill addiction with another pill" I say, you''re right. Users of this drug aren''t looking to be "cured" we''re just looking to be able to put our addiction in remission, not cure it. This drug saved my life, I knew I wanted to stop, and I tried several times, but the withdrawal from Vicodin is a hell no one could understand unless they''ve been through it. Taking this medication helped me to be "normal" again for the first time in 3 1/2 years. My head is actually clear now and it allows me to be able to see my flaws and the things I was weak at that led me to my Vicodin use in the first place. I just ask of anyone who doesn''t quite understand this form of treatment, please don''t judge us, educate yourselves and thank God you don''t have anyone you love going through this, because if you did, I just bet you''d do almost anything to help them get better, including using Suboxone.
- Reply to this comment
- Anyone can download a FREE color copy of the opioid receptor explanation of how Suboxone works, as seen on the CBS report at:
http://naabt.org/education/literature.cfm
"cut and paste into your browsers address bar" - Reply to this comment
- imklen2day, You ve posted this same post 7 times now, once is enough.
SUBOXONE doesnt "cure" addiction (no pill can), it suppresses cravings and withdrawal so the patient can do the necessary work and get the needed therapy that will eventually allow them to keep their addiction in remission without the need of a treatment medication.
On your second point, you seem confused about what the problem is. Taking a medication is NOT the problem, millions of people take all kinds of lifesaving medications everyday, and thank god we have them, ADDICTION is the problem and if taking a medication can help the person end an addiction, why would you think thats stupid?
For anyone wanted to learn more about the SUBOXONE treatment option or if you want to find a doctor certified to prescribe it see:
www.AddictionSite.org - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- "What is "normal" you asked? This is:
"I started Suboxone treatment Saturday. Anyway, Tuesday, for the first time in years, I picked up the kids after work & made dinner, took my daughter to modeling class, finished homework & ran baths, All WITHOUT VICODIN! My energy level was high all evening & not one single craving! NO DEPRESSION! I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt great all day! normal energy level, good mood, no headache or nausea. I took the kids to a roller skating party in the evening, ALL WITHOUT VICODIN! As we all snuggled in a chair reading a bedtime story last night the relief I felt was overwhelming!
"Dad, what''''s the matter?"
"Nothing, honey. daddys ok."
"Are you crying?"
"Yeah, just a little."
"Why, daddy? Why are you crying?"
"I''''m just so happy!"
"That''''s silly!"
"I know. I love you so much"
"I love you to & i''''m happy to!"
www.AddictionSite.org - Reply to this comment
- Correction,
In my previous post I meant to say "Taking a medication is NOT the problem".... sorry :| - Reply to this comment
- imklen2day, please don%u2019t post the same post 6 times in a row, once is enough.
SUBOXONE doesn%u2019t "cure" addiction (no pill can), it suppresses cravings and withdrawal so the patient can do the necessary work and get the needed therapy that will eventually allow them to keep their addiction in remission without the need of a treatment medication.
On your second point, you seem confused about what the problem is. Taking a medication is the problem, millions of people take all kinds of lifesaving medications everyday, and thank god we have them, ADDICTION is the problem and if taking a medication can help the person end an addiction, why would you think that%u2019s %u201Cstupid%u201D?
For anyone wanted to learn more about the SUBOXONE treatment option or if you want to find a doctor certified to prescribe it see:
www.AddictionSite.org - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- As an addict in recovery I can only speak for myself. I just can''t fathom the level of irresponsibilty in a major news network airing such a potentialy damaging article as this. What is the definition of normal? The underlying cause of addiction cannot be cured with a magic pill. The message recieved by millions of Americans yesterday from you will lead them to believe otherwise.
Point #2 is that the irony of a "legal drug" curing the problem caused by another "legal drug" is akin to promoting drug use and promoting the sales of narcotics only "legaly" of course.
Stupid, shame on you Katie. - Reply to this comment
- Patient testimony (excerpt from naabt.org discussion board)
%u201CI tried everything to stay clean: self help books, meditation, religion, native American wisdom, positive thinking, vitamin therapy, shamanism, counseling, n/a meetings, 1 rehab stay, & the good old stand-by: white knuckle, skin of your teeth, cold turkey!
I started Suboxone treatment Saturday.
Anyway, Tuesday, for the first time in years, I picked up the kids after work & made dinner, took my daughter to modeling class, finished homework & ran baths, All WITHOUT VICODIN! My energy level was high all evening & not one single craving! NO DEPRESSION! I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt great all day! normal energy level, good mood, no headache or nausea. I took the kids to a roller skating party in the evening, ALL WITHOUT VICODIN! As we all snuggled in a chair reading a bedtime story last night the relief I felt was overwhelming!
"Dad, what''s the matter?"
"Nothing, honey. daddys ok."
"Are you crying?"
"Yeah, just a little."
"Why, daddy? Why are you crying?"
"I''m just so happy!"
"That''s silly!"
"I know. I love you so much"
"I love you to & i''m happy to!" - Reply to this comment
- as a current user of suboxone, in coujunction with therapy, I have been able to deal not only with addiction, but underlying psychological problems many addicts have but self-medicate to avoid. Suboxone works by not only stopping withdrawal symptoms, but by creating a "ceiling effect" whereby it becomes pointless to try to abuse the drug. This combination truly puts one as close to being drug-free as possible, allowing treatment to work much more quickly than with traditional methods such as methadone. I would only stress the need for a qualified therapist or psychiatrist is essential.
Suboxone can''t effect a cure, but allows a window of time for treatment to work. - Reply to this comment
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