|
Monday, August 18, 2008
4:45 PM
posted by Aric Thorpe, MHR
Methadone is increasingly the cause of narcotic-related deaths in the U.S.
Methadone is increasingly the cause of narcotic-related deaths in the U.S.. Methadone, an alternative to oxycodone, has increased in use from 1998 to 2006 by 700%. The New York Times recently suggested that the increase in deaths associated with the drug may be the result of prescribing errors. According to the Times, physicians are additionally failing to warn patients of the dangers of mixing the prescription drug with alcohol or sedatives; additionally, physicians may be prescribing dose levels that are too much too soon. According to Dr. H. Westley Clark, of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "we know that a significant share of the methadone deaths involve doctors making well-intended prescriptions." The following is an excerpt of an article from Journal Watch that discusses the phenomenon:
The number of methadone prescriptions increased 700% from 1998 to 2006, in part because of its use as an alternative to oxycodone (OxyContin). The Times says physicians treating patients for pain sometimes start them on doses that are too high or fail to warn of the hazards of mixing with alcohol or sedatives.
Click here to read the rest of this article from Journal Watch
link to this post 
|
Stephen Harnish, MD is the Medical Director of Brookhaven Hospital. He is board certified in psychiatry, and is a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School. Dr. Harnish is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is well known in Oklahoma for his informative radio and television appearances.
Rev Robert Wester is
Senior Chaplain at Brookhaven Hospital and the RENEWAL programs. Chaplain
Wester conducts daily devotional services and offers pastoral counseling
to clients in the RENEWAL program.
Aric Thorpe, MHR, is Brookhaven Hospital's
Pastoral Liaison Representative. He conducts the quarterly Minister's
Lifeline series and provides mental health information to pastors
and clergy.
Sarah McGee, BA, serves as the Community
Education Provider for Brookhaven Hospital. She provides information
on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment to healthcare professionals
in Oklahoma and surrounding states. |
