BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - The Waismann Foundation today released "Ten Things You and Your Family Should Know about the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers," the second installment of the foundation's weekly "Drug Awareness Month" educational series. As the number of opiate dependencies in the U.S. continues to rise, it is critical that parents are armed with the right information to educate their children on the dangers associated with prescription painkiller abuse, and are also able to recognize the telltale warning signs of abuse, according to Dr. Clifford A. Bernstein, chairman of the Waismann Foundation and specialist
in chronic pain management and opiate dependency.
"Children are being introduced to recreational use of prescription painkillers
at a much younger age than most would expect and are gaining easier access to
them," said Bernstein. "However, once they become aware of the consequences,
they can make more intelligent, informed decisions."
According to Bernstein, prescription drugs can easily make their way into and
out of households and taking the time to talk to family members about the dangers
of prescription painkillers could be a preventative measure that lasts a lifetime.
Dr. Bernstein offers parents the following advice:
1. Face the Facts. Denial can prevent you from recognizing a real
problem at home. Among youths and adults, non-medical use of
prescription painkillers ranked second only to marijuana in
illicit drug use according to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health.
2. Acknowledge it's All Relative. Legal or not, prescription
painkillers are just as harmful as street drugs. Prescription
painkillers like Oxycodone are synthetic (man made) opiates, the
family of drugs from which heroin is derived.
3. Keep an Eye Out for the Graduate. Children as young as 13-15 years
old can easily graduate from abusing Oxycontin (a legal opiate
drug) to abusing heroin (an illegal opiate drug). The two drugs
have similar effects, therefore attracting the same abuse
population.
4. Leverage What's Newsworthy. Take advantage of incidents in the news
to talk to your family about painkillers. In March 2004, a Phoenix
fourth-grader took her mother's prescription painkillers to school
and gave them to her friends. A few of the children were
hospitalized, while the young girl was taken to the police station
and suspended for the year. Making an example out of a story like
this helps to discourage children from trying drugs.
5. Don't Assume It Can't Be You. You're not necessarily in the clear
if your child is head cheerleader or the class president. Not all
kids who abuse prescription drugs are dark, depressed, and
troubled. Drug use has become increasingly frequent among a
variety of groups of young people.
6. Beware of Emotional Rollercoasters. Changes in a person's normal
behavior can be a sign of dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and
concentration may occur as everyday responsibilities become
secondary to the need for the relief the prescription provides.
Other signs to look for are social withdrawal, desensitized
emotions (indifference or disinterest in things that previously
brought them pleasure) and increased inactivity.
7. Watch Out for Going Grunge -- Your child's personal hygiene may
diminish as a result of a drug addiction. Significant weight loss
may occur, and glazed eyes may indicate an underlying problem.
8. Become a Micro Manager. If your child is prescribed a
pain-relieving medication, closely monitor the dosage and
frequency the drug is ingested. Also, if you or your spouse is
prescribed a prescription painkiller, be sure to keep it out of
your children's reach and dispose of any extras once you no longer
need it.
9. Play it Smart. Listen carefully when your doctor or pharmacist
gives you instructions for a drug for a family member. Provide
your doctor with a complete medical history so he or she is aware
of other medications being taken and can prevent a negative
interaction. Finally, never increase dosage or the frequency of
taking a medication without consulting your physician.
10. Trust Your Instincts. If you suspect that a family member is
abusing prescription drugs, consult his or her doctor or seek
professional help right away. Medical professionals can refer you
to treatment programs but the most important thing is to seek help
in a timely matter.
For more information on The Waismann Foundation or opiate dependency, visit
www.opiates.com.
The Waismann Foundation, headquartered in Beverly Hills, is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the research of opiate dependency. Drs. Clifford A. Bernstein and
Michael Lowenstein use the exclusive Waismann Method to treat opiate dependency.
The Waismann Method reverses the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes
opiate dependence. It is humanely performed in the intensive care unit of a
hospital under anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will experience
no conscious withdrawal, and will be able to return home within days. Over 65
percent of the patients who are treated with the Waismann Method remain drug
free after one year.
