Residents of Wisconsin can’t be too proud of the statistics these days. Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation, according to the Department of Transportation. Alcohol killed 337 people and injured 5,500 in car accidents in the state last year. More than 42,000 drivers were convicted of drunken driving in Wisconsin in 2007, and that’s just the number of people that were actually caught and convicted. Wisconsin had a rash of hit and run accidents this past summer, many of them fatal, and many of the fleeing drivers were suspected of being drunk.

Lenient Laws
What is the cause of the high number of drunk drivers in some states, and what can be done about it? Many would argue that the laws for drunk driving in states like Wisconsin are very lenient. In fact, Wisconsin does not consider drunk driving as more than a misdemeanor until multiple offenses have occurred. Only after the 4th offense, or if someone was injured or killed, is drunk driving considered a felony. Countless attorneys in the area specialize in DUI cases, which may contribute to even repeat offenders getting off with little jail time.

Possible Solution:
Ignition Interlock System
Other states have taken steps, sometimes controversial ones, to prevent drunk driving, especially among repeat offenders. The ignition interlock system is one disputed measure that some states are working to enforce. This device would be installed in a repeat offender’s car and would not allow the vehicle operator to start the vehicle until they blow a blood alcohol level below a certain level.

Safe Ride
Another option is for states to offer incentives to local tavern leagues that provide a SafeRide program. Often, states will give grants for volunteer drivers or taxis to take people home safely from the bars. But this solution can become useless when there is lack of interest or coordination.

Sobriety Checkpoints
Sobriety checkpoints, where police set up random roadblocks to check drivers, are banned in Wisconsin and 11 other states. The argument is that the checkpoints infringe on people’s rights, and they won’t necessarily catch the drunk drivers that know to avoid the blocked road.

Monitoring Bracelet
The newest solution some are proposing in Wisconsin for repeat offenders is the alcohol monitoring bracelet, which would take readings of blood alcohol levels from the sweat on a person’s skin. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), these bracelets won’t prevent people from driving drunk; they simply can tell authorities that someone has been drinking.

Although there is criticism for these prevention or monitoring methods and none of them seems to be a fix-all, it would seem that something needs to be done in states like Wisconsin that struggle with this problem. Possibly the answer is a combining of these solutions in order to catch or prevent as many people as possible from driving drunk.

Sources

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/drunkdriving/index.htm

Dashek, Ryan Lawmakers must tighten drunk driving penalties December 1, 2008

Damos, Tim Drunk driving a county problem December 18, 2008

Dlabay, Kyle Lawmaker Proposes Statewide Alcohol Monitoring Bracelets December 15, 2008

People have been looking for remedies to addiction and alcoholism for years. A drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 has been shown to decrease cravings for alcohol, causing it to be of great interest to physicians that deal regularly with alcoholics. Originally available in a once-a-day tablet, naltrexone was used for a few years to treat alcoholism. When taken regularly, this drug can reduce the days that a person consumes alcohol, as well as the amount of alcohol an individual drinks when they do drink. The problem with the tablet form, however, is that it is a daily pill and getting an alcoholic to take a pill every day to keep them sober is difficult at times. You have to really want to be sober to get yourself to take the pill.

Vivitrol®: once a month
After this obstacle was discovered, a new injectable version of the drug was developed, Vivitrol®. Manufactured by the company Alkermes Inc. (Click here for a message from an Alkermes employee), Vivitrol® can be injected into the patient once a month to provide 30 days of treatment. Seems like a good solution, but there have been drawbacks to this injectable form also. First of all, the injection has to be given deep in the gluteal muscles which may not be as favorable for physicians and patients who are used to dealing with pills and liquid medications. Second, the drug is costly, which has led to a smaller group of people making use of it. These things, along with the uncertain results and side effects with some patients, have prohibited the drug from selling very well.

Opponents of the drug
Some may argue that the use of drugs to treat addiction is pointless, and that using a medication like this only adds to the entrapment by drugs. These opponents argue for psychotherapy and counseling to get alcoholics past their addiction. While it would be nice to have a “quick fix” for alcoholism, it is not realistic to think that a single pill or injection can cure one’s addiction problems.

Redevelopment of the drug
Alkermes Inc. has recently announced that they will begin focusing on selling naltrexone to treat opioid addiction. Alkermes will continue to sell VIVITROL® for alcohol dependence, while also running clinical studies to expand the label into opiate addiction. According to research done by Alkermes, the market for a drug that is injected will be greater among opioid addicts and their physicians. With the sales from this drug for alcoholics remaining low, and risk of stock values decreasing this year, this decision is seen as a quick move in order to increase the manufacturer’s gains.
Whether or not Alkermes can successfully market Vivitrol® to alcoholics and their physicians, it is important to continue to study this drug to find out all the potentials of its use. A new study to be published in the February 2009 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research shows that Vivitrol® does successfully lessen the consumption of alcohol in patients, as well as increase their quality of life. Other studies have shown that maybe seasonal shots of the drug would be effective in getting patients past difficult times, such as the holidays. It is possible that we can only begin to imagine the possibilities that lay ahead for humans and their treatment of addiction.

Sources

Kluger, Jeffrey An Injection to Cure Holiday Drinking? Dec. 18, 2008

Naltrexone And Alcoholism Treatment

Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 28 Executive Summary and Recommendations

Extended-release Naltrexone, Treatment For Alcohol Dependence, Improves Quality-of-life Measures Dec. 1, 2008

Nathan, Vidya ANALYSIS-Alkermes’ Vivitrol needs opioid market to boost sales December 22, 2008

Alcohol abuse occurs among many people in our country, but different ages of people tend to handle the consumption of alcohol in a variety of ways.  Often alcohol abuse is considered a college problem, but studies show that more and more older individuals are abusing alcohol on a regular basis.  Government statistics have shown that 17 % of older adults are believed to misuse alcohol or prescription drugs, and that widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the country.  This problem is expected to get worse as baby boomers get older.

Reasons behind drinking in older adults
Old age can be a lonely time for many, and surviving the loss of a spouse or grown child may lead some to drink to forget their loneliness.  Physical limitations and reduced mobility may lead to alcohol use to ease the feelings of isolation.  A retired individual does not have the social support from their job anymore, which can lead to sadness and depression.  Drinking to drown one’s sorrows or stress can turn into a dangerous cycle.

Risks of alcohol abuse in older adults
Older Americans that drink alcohol in excess are putting themselves at risk for disease and injury.  Seniors are more sensitive to alcohol, because they reach higher blood alcohol levels faster than younger people.  Their kidneys and liver do not remove the alcohol from the blood as quickly as they used to.  Another problem is that senior citizens often take medication on a regular basis, which can interact negatively with alcohol that is consumed.  Sometimes alcohol will decrease the effectiveness of a medication, and sometimes it will cause harmful side effects with a medication.  With possible physical limitations occurring already, falls and accidents are also a risk for older adults that abuse alcohol.

Benefits to alcohol consumption in older adults
With that being said, there are benefits for many older individuals that consume moderate amounts (1-2 drinks a day) of alcohol.  It is believed that alcohol in moderation can reduce heart disease and diabetes.  Moderate use of wine (not beer) can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  However, it is important to note that excessive alcohol can actually raise the risk of dementia.  Women that drink with control can lesson the risk of osteoporosis.  Finally, alcohol is sometimes credited for improving social interactions, nutrition, appetite, and quality of life.  Sometimes the consumption of alcohol with friends actually raises the spirits of seniors, giving them a more positive attitude toward life.

The risk with stating these benefits, however, is that it may encourage people to drink.  Even though alcohol is said to positively impact the health of many older adults, there is a fine line between the health benefits of alcohol and the dangers of alcohol.  It is important to know the difference.

Sources
Brody, Jane Query for Aging Patients: How Much Do You Drink? December 15, 2008

Sutter, Cindy Alcohol and seniors: Holiday togetherness may reveal substance abuse problem  December 15, 2008

Buddy T. Alcohol and the Elderly Seniors Drinking Mostly Unreported, Undiagnosed, Or Ignored July 23, 2006

On October 3rd, 2009, the bill known as HR 6983 will go into effect. Mental health patients and treatment providers around the country are understandably curious and concerned about exactly what this means.

Here’s a brief rundown of what this latest parity act does, and how it may affect your coverage.

What is the Act?

The 2008 Parity Act is not the first such law, and is, in fact, an expansion of a 1996 law that already required parity with regard to annual and lifetime dollar limits. The new federal parity law will require group health plans to cover treatment for mental illness on the same terms and conditions as any other illness. Parity will be required in two specific areas:

1.      Treatment Limits. The new law requires equity – equal treatment – with respect to numerical limits (number of visits) on inpatient and outpatient services, barring limits on both services that don’t also apply to medical/surgical coverage.

2.      Financial Limits. The parity law also requires equity with regard to financial strictures, excluding any cost-sharing, deductibles, or out-of-pocket limits that don’t also apply to medical/surgical coverage.

What this means is that most plans will eliminate separate deductibles for mental illness or substance abuse treatments, and that if a cost or deductible doesn’t apply to medical or surgical coverage is cannot also be applied to mental health or substance abuse coverage, but any charges that ARE applicable to medical/surgical coverage may be applied to mental health and substance abuse as well.

Who is affected by this Act?

The new parity law is only applicable to group health plans that are sponsored by companies or employers with more than fifty employees (“51 or more”), including fully insured group health plans regulated by individual states, and ERISA self-insured/self-funded plans regulated by the United States Department of Labor. It’s the ERISA plans that are most affected, since the new law will extend full parity to 82 million people whose current health plans are exempt from existing parity laws in 42 states.

It’s important to remember that health plans do have the right to drop coverage for mental illness and substance abuse treatment, and that those plans which can prove that coming into compliance with the new law will increase costs 2% or more have the right to postpone their compliance for a year.

On the other hand, most experts agree that the cost increase to most insured consumers will be less than 0.5%.

What Does this Mean to Me?

Right now, most health plans and EAPs (employee assistance programs) limit the number of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment visits you may make. Often, psychiatric care and therapy are limited to thirty visits a year. Under the new parity law, if there are no limits about how often you may see your doctor or surgeon, there cannot be limits to the number of mental health treatment visits you can have.

Since mental health and substance abuse are not easily defined illnesses, but are often open ended, this new law gives treatment providers the necessary leeway to treat their patients, and patients the ability to take the time they need to work through mental illness and addiction.

Since the law is targeted toward employee health plans, which are often a patient’s only source of affordable health insurance, this is extremely beneficial.

Is There Anything the New Parity Act Does Not Do?

The new parity law does not redefine mental illness or addiction, or specify what is or is not covered. At present, the wording on that is nearly identical to the 1996 parity law, which says that such conditions are “defined by the plan” in accordance with State and Federal law, which  basically means that insurance providers and plan administrators will continue to define what conditions are recognized, and eligible for coverage benefits.

The new law also does not require existing plans to add mental health or substance abuse programs if they are not already part of the programs offered.

It is estimated that more than 54 million Americans suffer from mental disorders in any given year, though less than a fifth of them actually seek treatment. It is also estimated that 65-85% of employee terminations, and 80-90% of industrial accidents.

By establishing parity with medical and surgical conditions, the Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 will enable significantly more people to receive the treatment and support they need and deserve.

The manufacturing of street drugs in private homes isn’t a new concept, but it is just as risky today as it ever has been. Illegal drugs have been made in clandestine labs for decades as a way for the maker to bring in money or to support a drug habit. Methamphetamine is available by prescription, but this controlled substance can be cooked in a home lab and made into powder and sold on the street as a potent drug. Other amphetamine-type stimulants have also commonly been made in makeshift labs, as well as the rave drug, GHB, LSD and other strong hallucinogens. Many illegal drugs that end up being sold to kids and addicts on the street come from these homemade labs throughout the world.

The homemade drug manufacturer

Sometimes it is an ex-employee from a pharmaceutical company with the expertise on drugs that attempts to make them on their own. Other times it is a group of individuals that have researched how to best make certain drugs. Countless websites instruct anyone who cares on how to make certain street drugs. Often the ingredients are over-the-counter medicines or household chemicals. If it the ingredients aren’t readily available, some home manufacturers will find a way to order supplies or get ingredients on the black market.

Dangers of homemade drugs to the drug user

Besides the obvious problems with all street drugs, such as addiction, toxicity, brain damage, organ damage, and possible death, homemade street drugs have their own added problems. One of the most dangerous risks with homemade drugs is that each batch can be made differently, with changes in ingredients and measurements. With no standard of dosage, customers will often end up dying from overdose before other buyers and the seller realize the strength of a very powerful batch.

It is estimated that more than 50% of the time, the drug buyer is not getting the substance that they were told they were getting from a home-based lab. Makers will sometimes substitute a cheaper ingredient, or one more readily available, without the buyer knowing. And there are other things the home manufacturer won’t disclose either, such as the way the drugs have been handled and what tainted substances have come in contact with them. It could be that the drug maker used infected substances to cut and make the drugs, thereby passing along diseases such as hepatitis or maybe even AIDS.

Dangers to the public

Home-based drug labs are a threat to the general public at times also. These chemicals are often very unstable, which can lead to explosions or toxic fumes that threaten nearby residents. Because of the risks a homemade manufacturer faces, they may take drastic measures to protect their lab. Violence and shootings are commonly associated with clandestine labs.

Authorities are well-aware of the dangers associated with home drug labs and are working to find them throughout the country. The task may be daunting, but many lives will be saved by shutting down these drug labs.

Sources

Street Drugs

Chemical expert set up homemade LSD factory 10/12/2008

Crystal Myth

Elsevier B.V. Boltushka: A homemade amphetamine-type stimulant and HIV risk in Odessa, Ukraine 10-30-08

Even though the holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, for many Americans this time of year is filled with stress and struggles with addiction. Holidays, with all their activity, can put a lot of pressure on people. There is the issue of finances, especially this year, and the desire to get loved ones the presents they are really hoping for. Problems with family members or in-laws and the extra time spent together with them can cause stress. The list of things to do, and all the extra people and traffic at stores, the Christmas letters of those who seem to have it all together, and the cold, dreary weather – these all can become too much for any person to handle.

Struggling with Addiction

But what if someone is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction at this time of year? How do they cope with all the pressures and stress and the realization that they are an addict? It can be a very lonely time for many, and the holidays can even drive them deeper into the addiction. Depression is common among alcoholics and addicts, and sometimes the feeling that they don’t care if they live or die, can lead them to some very reckless behavior.

It seems that many holiday parties have a large focus on alcohol. Maybe it’s because of the awkwardness that many people feel when attending a party with co-workers they are in competition with, or family parties with relatives they don’t get along with, or friends’ parties where they don’t know many people, but it seems that a lot of guests tend to consume large amounts of alcohol. We can only imagine what this does to a person already struggling with alcoholism.

What can you do?

Think of those that are struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism at this time of year. Even if they’ve wronged you in the past with their addiction, now may be the time to reach out and encourage them to get help. Families should spend more time together, building relationships, and supporting each other. Spending time playing games, or talking, or volunteering at a local charity can be ways to take one’s mind off of their problems.

Those planning holiday parties should be considerate of recovering alcoholics that may be attending. Offer attractive non-alcoholic drinks, limit the number of drinks available per person, or do away with the alcohol altogether. With a focus on a variety of foods or entertainment, the alcohol may not even be missed.

The person that is struggling with alcoholism at this time should be open about their feelings, and shouldn’t be ashamed to tell others why they are not drinking. Getting help for an addiction and being open about it takes a lot more courage than keeping up the destructive behavior. Families of addicts or alcoholics should seek help for their loved one and encourage them to stay sober, especially at this time of year.

Sources

Goodhue, David Seasons Greetings: Experts Say Domestic Violence Peaks During Holiday Season December 3, 2008

Luby, Marie Battling Addiction During The Holidays Dec 3, 2008

Drug Addiction: Toll On Family During the Holidays 11/30/2008

If you or someone you love is considering treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, there are many decisions you may need to make in order to find the right facility. Below are some things to consider when choosing a facility, as well as things to expect once you get there.

First of all, it might be necessary to call a hotline to get immediate help for an addiction. This would be used when a person doesn’t know where else to go for help, or possibly someone is in immediate danger. If this is the case, the individual on the other end of the phone can give you valuable information about immediate treatment options.

Types of Facilities and Programs

If the decision is something that is thought about for a while and discussed, there are many different types of programs that might be useful. The first questions might be whether the facility offers residential, in-patient, or out-patient treatment, or a recovery house or long-term care. Some facilities are gender or age-specific, which might be particularly helpful to adolescents or females who might feel more comfortable in a setting with their peers.

It may be necessary for the treatment facility to have a detoxification program for the individual to rid their body of harmful substances while being monitored by a staff of medical professionals. After the physical dependency of the substance is addressed, the patient can begin counseling and treatment to manage the psychological dependency. Many treatment facilities have different activities to aid in this part of the recovery process. Things such as group therapy and family involvement have proven successful in treatment, as well as the 12-Steps for recovery. Some specialized facilities also provide programs such as equine therapy, recreational activities, cooking opportunities, and other things geared toward giving the mind and body something positive to focus on.

Recovery is an Ongoing Process

It is important for patients to be directed to long-term care to assist them in staying sober in the future. By learning about the risks of relapse and the skills needed to cope with stress and addiction triggers, an individual will be more likely to stay substance-free. A facility should provide follow-up services to give the recovering patient a support base when they move back into their lives. Recovery is an ongoing process. The groundwork is laid when an individual goes through treatment, but recovery continues on as the person is put back into their lives and families and has to effectively put what they learned into practice.

Entering into a treatment facility is a scary thing for most people. The unknown is hard to face. But the right facility can ease discomfort with their caring staff and positive programs. It still won’t be easy, but the goal is for the treatment to be successful. By working with counselors and staff to learn about oneself and taking accountability for the addiction, an individual can actually aid in the recovery process. So while you can expect treatment to be a challenge, it will hopefully be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Sources

T., Buddy Components of Effective Treatment Programs What Makes Alcohol Treatment Programs Work? January 22, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

Parents that are concerned about their teens’ risky behavior may not be aware of all the temptations out there, or the young age at which many adolescents are exposed to them. Inhalants are growing in popularity among youngsters as young as 12 as a way to get high. Many experts believe that parents need to be educated on this epidemic if we are going to keep it from getting worse.

The National Inhalant Prevention’s Coalition held a news conference earlier this year that revealed an increase in inhalant use among 12 and 13 year olds, and that many of these teens and pre-teens go on to do more illicit drugs as they get older.

Why Inhalants

Peer pressure occurs at almost every age, but the teen years are filled with the most negative peer pressure. Pair that with lack of supervision because parents are working more, and you have teens trying all sorts of risky behavior to keep themselves busy. Inhalants are readily available to kids, and often young people don’t see inhaling these household substances as being harmful because these things are legal and found everywhere. Anything from glue and paint to shoe polish and aerosol sprays can and are being used by people to get high.

Types of Inhalants

There are four main types of inhalants: volatile solvents (paint thinners, felt tip markers), aerosol sprays (spray paint, deodorant), gases (propane tanks, whip cream dispensers), and nitrites (room deodorizers). Teens use these inhalants by sniffing, snorting, or inhaling from a bag. The high will usually be short-lived, which leads a teen to inhale again and again to keep up the good feeling. These inhalants can be very addictive also, leading the individual down a long road of destructive behavior.

Effects

Most inhalants result in a tired feeling, dizziness, hallucinations, or trouble with motor skills – all things that teens might find entertaining to observe. Over time, however, inhalants can lead to brain damage, muscle weakness, and depression. The dangers are very real, and can occur even with first time users. Sudden death can occur through heart attack, suffocating, or choking, and injuries may occur from careless acts while under the influence.

As the study by the National Inhalant Prevention’s Coalition showed, many teens that use inhalants go on to do other drugs, sometimes in an effort to get a better high. Once a teen is used to the thrill of doing “harmless” inhalant drugs, they might look for more of a challenge with street drugs.

Parents: Be Aware

Many parents have shown a disconnect from their children through the attitude that their children is not at risk for this kind of behavior. Even parents that are relatively cautious about what trouble their child could get into may not be aware of how common this abuse of inhalants is. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing when they are alone or with friends, and special care should be taken to monitor the inhalants in the house and garage. If you are a parent that thinks your child may be using inhalants, don’t hesitate to get help for them.

Sources

Colihan, Kelley Tweens Favor Inhalants To Get High Study Shows Youngsters Use Inhalants As “Gateway” To Other Illicit Drugs March 13, 2008

Zwillich, Todd Kids See Inhalants As Less Risky Parents ‘Don’t Get It,’ Advocates Say April 24, 2006

http://www.inhalants.org/guidelines.htm

http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/inhalants.html

Reinberg, Steven For Adolescents, Inhalants Are Drug of Choice 3/13/08

Every once in a while, a street drug becomes popular before much is known about it, and many people don’t think twice about its negative effects, because it is still legal. Salvia is one of those drugs right now. Salvia is an extremely strong hallucinogen, and it is gaining in popularity among young people, so much so that it is now twice as popular as LSD in males in their 20s.

Salvia Divinorum

Salvia divinorum is a mint plant that has been used by Mazatec shamans in Mexico for hundreds of years for spiritual healing sessions. Salvia has been used in recent years by young people in the U.S., by smoking the dried leaves or adding the liquefied form to a drink.

Effects of Salvia

Salvia’s effects start almost immediately and last from 5-10 minutes. During that time, the user loses control of their body, often falling over or becoming unable to function. Salvia’s strong hallucinogenic effects are sometimes scary or dangerous. Users might think they see someone chasing after them, or inanimate objects talking to them. If the individual is not in a safe place, they could do something to harm themselves, even in that quick 5-10 minutes.

Only a few studies have been done on salvia, and they seem to show that it does not produce the euphoric state of other drugs, such as LSD, and the addictiveness is unknown. But users take pleasure in the effects it has on the brain, and the distorted view of reality it produces.

A Legal Drug

The fact that salvia is still legal in many states is concerning to both law enforcement and some parents. Since it is legal, many people assume that it is safe and harmless, but that may not be the case. The quick acting, strong hallucinogenic effects of this drug are of concern to some, and the widespread availability and marketing to young people is another concern.

Salvia is outlawed in 12 states and several foreign countries, but other states are having a harder time banning it. It is currently listed by the DEA as a drug of concern, which means law enforcement can’t stop the sale or use of it.

Medical Benefits

If salvia is so potentially harmful because of the altered mental state it produces, why wouldn’t more states push to outlaw it? It’s possible some people are thinking ahead to the potential medical benefits of the drug. Banning it would slow scientists’ research and clinical trials on it. Some scientists are already working on salvia’s uses as therapy for chronic pain or mood disorders, and banning it would add years to the arrival of any positive clinical use for the drug.

It is possible that after more research this drug will be found to be relatively harmless, and that the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives. But without more research on the drug and its long-term effects on the body, it should be treated with caution and respect.

Sources

Editorial: Legislatures need to ban salvia Nov. 20, 2008

Gaskins, Nikki Salvia: The new pot, yet legal

Legal Herb “Salvia” Produces Dangerous Effects Nov 13, 2008

Brain’s Reaction To Potent Hallucinogen Salvia Explored Apr. 28, 2008

Shanks, Chad Doc Anderson works to outlaw salvia on Dr. Phil Nov. 12, 2008

Drug abuse in the workplace can be a big concern in any occupation, but what about when the addict is a doctor, or more specifically, an anesthesiologist? Some may think that this group of employees should understand the risks and dangers of controlled substances better than anybody. After all, they deal with these drugs everyday and have studied them in depth.

This may be the exact reason some doctors are able to successfully support a drug habit without getting caught. They have easy access to the drugs, being around the drugs every day may lead to cravings for the drug, they see the positive results patients experience with the drugs, and they know the symptoms of drug abuse and how to hide them without getting caught.

Anesthesiologists and drug abuse

A recent study examined the risk of anesthesiologists being exposed to low levels of drugs through patients exhaling them or through the skin. While more studies are being done on this subject, it could be said that just the constant presence of the substances near a person could easily drive them to try it. Many anesthesiologists who are addicts started using drugs when they were under the stress of their residency training period and were not experienced enough with their profession to say “no” to the temptation to try a drug. It’s easy to become addicted to such powerful drugs, and it often doesn’t work to “just try it once”.

Even though the statistics are low- as few as 2% of anesthesiologist residents abuse substances- the drugs that they do use are usually some of the most powerful intravenous drugs around. This often leads to death because of the strong substances and addictive nature of them. A few additional problems result from anesthesiologists using drugs: being so educated about controlled substances, anesthesiologists may be more able to cheat on drug tests to keep from getting caught. The chances of an anesthesiologist making it through treatment and going back to their work are not very good; 1 out of 9 will end up dying from relapse and subsequent addiction. And the public safety issue is very concerning – how do we ensure that those responsible for our lives are sober when treating us?

Solutions for hospitals

Some hospitals have measures in place to catch drug abuse among staff, including urine drug tests and strict monitoring of controlled substances being taken out of stock. While these may be useful tools to help keep people honest, some would argue that the thing hospitals need to focus on is prevention of the problem. Education and training should include drug addiction awareness, and stress reduction practices should be taught. Perhaps if we focus on the well-being of individuals before they feel the need to turn to substances we can prevent the abuse in the first place.

Cox, Lauren Urine Drug Tests for Doctors? Nov. 12, 2008

O’Brien, Keith Something, anything to stop the pain 11/9/08

Vogler, Mark Former Lawrence General Hospital nurse gets 41 years in federal prison Nov. 20, 2008