Drug abuse rant....again.

Hey Everyone! I know its been awhile. I've been busy trying to push my career as forward as I can. Having a few set backs but realistically nothing ever comes easy. Today's topic is back to addiction yet again. Mostly because its all I hear in the news, see around me, and hearing of friends still destroying their lives with them.
Its been brought to my attention that Ohio is actually one of the top three worst places where you find heavy pill poppers and heroin users. Scary when you your trying to raise your family here and constantly worrying what if your kids just hangs out with the wrong person because that will be all that it takes.
I was even driving home last night and stopped at a gas station to get some water and a pack of cigs and pulled up right next to me was a young girl, maybe early twenties shooting up in her car. What are you supposed to do with that? Why do people harm themselves just to feel high? Life is hard on everyone but these drugs are illegal for a reason. We are all brought into this world for a purpose and to be a contributing member of society. When you get stuck in drugs you lose family, friends, work, and possibly the only place you ever called home. How is that high sensation worth all of that?
I've heard people say that its too hard to stop because they get so sick so they would rather continue to use and do more personal damage along with life damage instead of suffering a week of throwing up. Its pathetic an sad.
I lost my best friend to heroin. She is still technically alive but to me she is dead. Sad...frustrating....so angry. I was cleaning out my office the other day and was going through pictures and this old notebook we kept in high school reading how silly we were and which boy we were in love with then. Seeing the picture of us just being happy. Its been so many years that I even seen her happy. She got wrapped up with the wrong people at the wrong time and now she is stuck in a world she still selectively chooses to be in. Lost all of her kids, some of her family, some of her friends and still goes on with using. She thinks I hate her and I that's why I don't want anything to do with her but that is all the blindness of the life of drugs.
I would have done anything for this girl. I tried to even adopt her kids when she first got caught using so they wouldn't have been lost in the system. Year after year I tried to help. Had her live with me to help her get clean. Supported another stupid boy relationship stuck herself in and just tried to be there for her. I did everything I could to show she wasn't alone without showing tolerance to her behavior. I cried for her. I prayed for her. I was so exhausted of all the pain and disappointment I had to separate myself from her. She would lie to me and then apologize. Its was a never ending cycle. It is her right to chose to use drugs over family, friends, and most importantly her children. To me, as a mother I will never understand that. Harming yourself is harming your kids and that shows you have not right to be a parent ever. You can never be selfish when you become a parent. Never. Your kids come first. That is what our parents did for us. At least mine did anyways. I wasn't being enabled when I made mistakes. I was taught lessons and my parents made sure I learned them. Now, I'm pushing that philosophy on my kids. I want the best for them so I have to give them the best of me and show a great example. I have my bad days yes, but damn it I have great kids.
I hate hearing those about those stuck on drugs or shooting up. I'm truly sick of it. Medications are to help heal and to help those that are sick to become better. Its not because you had a bad fucking day.

I will say this though.... I miss her and still think of her often. I have though protected myself from the pain from her. I just wish this never happened to her and that she was still in my life.
I guess this was more of a vent than a lesson. I'll write about some other medications next. Promise. :)

Surviving Controlled Substances.....for good.

Life is full of struggles. We all deal with it differently. I've written briefly prior in regards to my viewpoint of addiction and I think its time to be addressed again. As a reader requested, a question came up to be based on why do addicts that become clean return to using again. Its a pretty good question.

First I am going to give you all a history lesson for understanding why certain medications are classified the way they are and distributed/not distributed the way they are. One place I will LOVE to work for one day: the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), was created and placed under the supervision of the Department of Justice. Here they created the classifications or categories on how controlled substance should be placed per the way of how they can be potentially abused AND how they level out to be used for medical use in the United States. The medications are labelled as schedules.

Schedule I:  Medications are not accepted/approved for any purpose of medical use AND they hold a an extremely high levels of abuse.
Schedule II: Has a medical use but has a high abuse potential with severe psychological or physical dependency.
Schedule III: Has accepted medical use with the lesser potential of abuse than those from schedule I and II.
Schedule IV: Abuse potential is less than with Schedule III drugs, but administration may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence.
Schedule V: Abuse potential is less than with Schedule IV drugs

Due to these medications with their abuse potential and illegal use, prescription monitoring programs has been nationally instated. Monitoring the patients, the pharmacies and the physicians on all Scheduled Controlled Substances had to be created to ensure some regulation to make sure a patient isn't taking advantage of the "system" of getting controlled substances from multiple physicians. Each state is different on how this monitoring program is, so take this as some guidance, assurance, or a warning.

Now I'm not going to list all the examples of what drugs go to what category today but I wanted you to see and understand where "Pharmacy Law" is the way it is to protect all of us. Just because something can be created doesn't mean is has a medical purpose. Controlled substances does harm to our body no matter what. There are just different levels of it. Addiction is pretty much guaranteed if any controlled substance is abused or taken for a long period of time. A medication that was prescribed to help and to heal may soon stop working and then you need something stronger in order to have that medical use benefit. Before you know it your out of options.....well legally anyways.

I've had friends drown in the system of these drugs. They never were able to keep their head out of the water long enough to want to live without drugs. You would think when their whole world has been taken away from them they would fight....but sometimes they just don't. I've studied pharmacology for over 10 years and have a background in psychology. With that said, all of this next part is based on my opinion, my research, and my life.

The reader that wrote the question for this blog is someone I hold dear. They themselves struggled with addiction to Scheduled III that progressed to Schedule II and eventually went to Schedule I controlled substances. My friend survived, is healing, and has been clean for over a year and half. They lost a lot but they gained so much more. Not a lot people that abuse narcotics can actually reflect and see what the cause of their drug use is. The majority of drug addicts remain addicts because they allowed the drug to take them over and to lose any sight of any other life. When you lose that sight, you begin to forget why you even chose that path for yourself in the first place. Its understanding your triggers. Its understanding the sensation you have when you take a medication.

Lets say you break your foot and then you have surgery. Your going to get some pain killers. Dependent on the severity of the break and surgery and your pain level you may get a schedule III medication like Vicodin or a schedule II medication like Percocet. The purpose of these medications is to help you heal by managing your pain. Pain on the body increase stress which then increases your blood pressure. This process slows healing unless the pain is controlled so that is why these medications are given in the first place: MEDICAL USE. Now some people surpass the medical use of the drug and allow their brains to switch from healing mode to sensation mode. To elaborate further, people begin the process of just loving how they feel when they have a certain medication. Long periods of using medication for the "sensation mode" creates the pathway of addiction. Your body and brain became in love with that feeling that its going to get pissed off if it doesn't get to feel that way again. Eventually that when on Vicodin, it will increase to two Vicodin.....then to Percocet....then to pure Oxycontin and eventually heroin.

I truly believe that certain controlled substances creates the gateway to illegal substance abuse. The DEA for crying out loud was created because of it. I don't think ALL of them (meaning Scheduled I medications)  like some people do. are gateway medication.  Example: Marijuana. In the State of California they are allowing the use of the Scheduled I Marijuana to be used. Its not like that anywhere else in the US......yet anyways.

Scheduled I medications just don't have a purpose except for people that don't think they have purpose. You chose "Crack" cocaine, Crystal Meth, Heroin, PCP, and LSD then you pretty much have lost their sight of themselves and their purpose. Long duration of use of these will either kill you if your lucky or just ruin your life minute by minute. People choose drugs because they like they way they feel when they are on them. Eventually they are only the drug and that is it.

People are lucky when they have the opportunity to get clean. Its a hard and grueling process. It can also be dangerous. Its not the easy way out but its the right way. They only way I can see someone that was an addict that became clean and to stay clean is to know why they chose that path to begin with. Know your triggers and avoid them at all costs. Move away. Far away. Avoid people that was apart of that in your life. Hell if you only ate candy when you were high then stay away from it until you can trick your mind to lose that association of candy and drugs. Mind over matter. Master yourself by learning what got you there in the first place when you have the chance to have your first moment of clarity. Breathe it in. Remember what it was like to live a day without those drugs and you were happy. That is your goal. Addicts will be clouded and forget how to have that control so its important to have a support system and let them know why you even started using in the first place. They can't just be that phone call when you have a craving. They need to know you so they can remind you what your fighting for. One day at a time.

In a way I don't believe that being an addict is considered a disease. You are sick...but its not cancer. You chose this path for yourself by accepting something into your body. I love pizza so I have a big ass as a consequence. I'm a smoker so eventually I may have lung disease or cancer. I CHOSE these because I LOVE THE FEELING, THE PROCESS, & THE TASTE. Its apart of me and I know it. I've quit smoking and for years and then go back to it. The same reason why I even started it in the first place applies every time I start back up again. I've settled this as my life for me. I know heroin use and pizza love are totally on different levels of addiction, but the meaning is still there. Its what your body and mind trigger what it needs and loves because of how you process the sensation of use of them. Understanding that will help you quit.....for good. You have to want it though and stop making excuses. Quit saying when you relapse that its just because your addict and you have a disease.

Hopefully that wasn't too much at once. I promise I will write more and if you want me to elaborate further on anything more then please let me know. I'm also open for debate.

Spellbinding Psycho Doctors and Drugs

I have bone to pick with some doctors out there. I am hearing way too many stories of people that seemed to have been stuck in a situation I was once in. A life-threatening situation so its not something to overlook. Physicians start patients on medications and just seem to lose interest on maintaining that medication sequence for the patients. When you take anything, your body adjusts to the medication and dependent on what kind of medication that it is, your body will need it in order to function properly. Interruption of medication sequence is more dangerous then actually taking a medication in the first place.

As we know, all drugs come with side effects. Doctors prescribe meds when the need of it out weighs the side effects of it. I want to hit on more specifically though Psychiatric Drug Adverse Reactions (side effects). Psychiatric drugs, and all other drugs that affect the mind, spellbind the individual by masking their adverse mental effects from the individual taking the drugs. If a person experiences a mental side effect like being upset or feeling down and sad, they are more likely to attribute it to something other than the drug.....perhaps blaming it on a loved one or on their own "mental illness". People taking psychiatric drugs claim to feel better than ever when in all reality their mental life and behavior is impaired. "Spellbinding" the side affect of drugs can create a person that maybe an otherwise well-functioning and ethical person to commit criminal acts, violence of some sort or suicide.

Over-prescribing medications comes into play here. Patient goes to their doctor seeking help for depression. Doctor puts patient on anti-depressants (Psychiatric medications). Patient thinks they are doing better but really feels worse. Dose is raised to get the full effect of the medication treatment and then the doctor thinks all is fine when most of the time with all the drugs on the market out there right now...its not the case.

Maybe its just because I'm a "hater" when it comes to anti-depressants that I can't speak positively about them. I am sure they help people. There was a time I was on them about 10 years ago and they really did help. My personal experience for being on them a few months ago makes me hate them. You see I was put on medication per my request. I was having issues with anxiety and depression. My doctor kept changing medications on me because I was feeling worse. Having issues with my nerves and well I was becoming crazy. I couldn't even work. The last drug I was put on seemed to help at first. I even made it to the point on where the doctor raised my dose. This drug was Effexor (Venlafaxine Hydrochloride). The next thing I know I was two steps away from killing myself. I can't really describe the feeling I was having.It was so intense and unreal. With a few moments I did have of clarity I sat down and did some research and talked with one of the doctors I work with. I was dealing with Serotonin Syndrome. This is a potentially life threatening drug reaction that causes the body to have too much serotonin, a chemical that is produced in the nerve cells. I had to stop taking the medication obviously but coming off of anti-depressants can be more dangerous then taking them in the first place. I didn't have a choice though. I formulated a plan to get off the medication. It was actually pretty dangerous to go cold turkey but at the point of what I was feeling....I didn't think I could feel worse. It took about 3 weeks for me to feel normal again.

Doctors get so caught up into prescribing....thinking they are helping and not really realize what they are setting their patients up for. I had to sit down with my doctor after getting myself off the medication to educate her on what I went through. She has changed the way she treats her other patients now. Thoroughly monitors them and being more involved. When its time for the patients to get off the medication she created a new plan for them to use to trail off of them. So far, it seems to be working.

So here is my tip to you all out there that are seeking psychiatric medications or currently on them. Be sure your doctor has a plan for when you don't need the medication any longer. Make sure you see your doctor at least once a month when your taking your medications. Make a journal to write down how your feeling so you can trace back your progress if any. These medications are a therapy....not take it and all will be better type of scenario. You have to be involved and kinda have to make your doctor involved too or things may not go so positive for you like it happened for me. Doctors go to school for a really long time...but it doesn't mean that they know everything let alone remember everything. Its okay to educate your doctor ever now and then.

Beginning with HcG

On my facebook page for Life Dosing Drugs, I have graved some small detail on a very big project that I have been working really hard on. Its a business opportunity. I pretty big one. I already have a small handful of people behind me to encourage the project. Just need one more. This is my big taste in marketing and management so to have a huge success on my first ground breaking idea will be really awesome. In about two weeks I will be presenting this information to a fellow colleague, an internist surgeon at work. Once I have him on board I think this will be really great for his patients, the hospital that I work at, and well of course: Me. ;)

I mentioned once before the idea of HcG and how it has changed my life. This hormone in its complexity can literally make a huge difference with anyone that is struggling with weight loss especially with areas that you work out so hard for to lose that fat pocket with no luck. This hormone will have it diminished under 30 days. No joke.

I want to integrate my personal experience with it, the compounding knowledge you need to distribute it, the balance of making this drug work for everyone, and helping people with challenges they thought were impossible to meet to make a change and of course a profit.

There are places popping up all over the U.S. that distribute and monitor patient progress with this drug. They are completely ripping off their patients too. Costing some over $1500.00 on a drug that should only be out of pocket around $200. Unfortunately that's how things go. The mark up on medications is unreal. I wasn't aware of it until I started doing purchasing at the facility I work at now. Knowing how much your local pharmacy charges your insurance companies is astounding and they are legally allowed to get away with it which is terribly sad. We have people struggling to have insurance because of the cost and the caps of coverage. I am completely thankful that I never dipped into retail pharmacy because there would be no way for me to participate in basically raping the public of money. Its one thing to make a profit, but the amount of profit these pharmacies are making is over abundant. An example of this I would say is Vicodin. A bottle of 100 pills at my hospital cost from McKesson is about $2.40. Now retail buys it at that price and charges your insurance company for your 30 day supply of pills of around 70 bucks with a copay to you to pay at pick up. See? The price gouging is ridiculous.

Now with my business idea there will be a mark up on price because it has to be compounded. I need another medication to mix the drug and then draw up all the syringes to distribute so there will be extra cost for that but nothing what these other facilities are doing. I have to think of a fair price for the public and reasonable for me to do my production and distribution. Even still, it will be a reasonable solution for the public to use and to help them with their weight issues.

I'm really excited about this. I just have to be the true advocate and provide the education for the patients. Its a great opportunity and I will be going all in. Lets just hope the next time I'm talking to you all about this product will be to have you guys come out and be apart of it.

Best wishes you guys! I will update more about this soon!.

Tramadol

One of the most popular medication currently used to provide pain relief is Tramadol aka Ultram. Doctors push this drug usually more over the vicodin and percocet especially for pain that is constant for patient not just temporary. So what is it?

The development of this drug was to mimic the effects of morphine. Its purpose is to change the way the body senses pain. It is not a drug to be considered in the NSAID class (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Now it can be habit forming but the severity of it usually isn't as bad as the Hydrocodone/Oxycodone users. Tolerance to this medication does happen rather quickly in most people. It doesn't help that it can be that way because soon patients are doubling their dose to find relief without understanding that too much of this medication can be deadly. Its actually safer to detox from the medication for a week or so and then begin again to begin feeling the relief from it.

With every medication there are side effects. Fortunately Tramadol is usually well-tolerated. Any side effect will usually be temporary. Examples are nausea, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness.

Pills and Weightloss

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American's are over-weight. We make great food but its filled with so many things that are just not good for us. People really don't get the hint let alone the understanding of eating certain foods in moderation and of course how to exercise. Drug companies of course have found medications that have been thrown out into the world to those wanting that quick fix to help their over-eating patterns. There are some good supplements to help people get on the path of losing weight but when it comes to a pill, there comes side effects.

Before you go and hunt down a doctor to write a script for these medications, here is some things you may not know about these drugs:

Now there are four main types of weight loss medications. 1. Amphetamines/Stimulants 2. Appetite Suppressants 3. Absorption Blockers 4. Over-the-counter (diuretics, mild stimulants, laxatives)

Amphetamines/Stimulants 

Example of this would be Adipex-P

Drugs in this classification work by increasing metabolism. The higher the metabolism, the more calories you burn when doing anything physical. The Pros of this would be a rapid weight loss and a noticeable effect. This of course is great for those that have struggled with diets and don't see any immediate changes. Without that immediate change, people tend to give up their diet plan because they don't see it working. The negative side of this drug classification will be a possible dependence to it. Higher risk of hypertension, nervousness and insomnia. There is a restriction on the length of use of this medication because the "therapy" is limited by federal and state laws. You have to have a prescription for this and be under a doctors care. This is not sold over the counter and please don't purchase it from the internet. This is supposed to help you start your weight-loss journey. Not something you go to because you just want 10lbs gone or you just feel like eating anything you want and this is your back up plan. 

Appetite Suppressants

Example of this would be Meridia

The purpose of this medication is to give the body the feeling of being full so you don't over eat. It increases levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine which is the feeling of satiety. This isn't addictive which is a great thing and it helps with the control of eating response. The bad side of all of it is that you will be in need of it for a long period of time. Meridia specifically will mimic the side effects that are seen in Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil which means lack of sex drive, lack of emotion, anger issues and depression. There are also multiple drug-drug and drug-disease interactions. 

Absorption Blockers

Example of this would be Xenical

This works by decreasing absorption of dietary fats. Benefits include no effect on the nervous system and it will positively affect cholesterol levels. So need for Cheerios!! Haha! This can also aid in glycemic control so diabetics may find positive changes let alone break free from their disease. With all the pros there are the cons which includes nutritional deficiencies from blockage and non-absorbed fats have to go somewhere which means the yucky stuff (diarrhea, flatus, and leakage) 

Over-the-Counter Medications

This will include diuretics, mild stimulants and laxatives

Here are your easy access medications. You don't need your physician involved so these are the most commonly used. You can find some that will slightly increase metabolism (e.g. caffeine), those that produce diuresis (shredding of water like Diurex) and laxatives (e.g. Senna). Some of these produce a quick result. Best for those that just have annoying water weight or just 10lbs to lose to get the results they want. Realistically most of these medication only provide a short-term effect. They can also cause dehydration/electrolyte imbalances with chronic use. Repeated use of laxatives will screw up your bottom to the point of creating the need to always have to go number 2. There are also cardiovascular effects with high doses of caffeine. 

Overall the best method to lose weight is to eat healthy and exercise. You have to do both. If you have weight issues then you kinda want to look at changing your life style because what your doing isn't helping you. If you choose the medication route then do discuss options with your doctor. Even with all the over the counter medication you need to talk with them. There is another weight loss "medication" that I will go over here soon that doesn't really fit in this breakdown. If you have any questions or want more info then let me know! 

Your not a Pharmacist??

There has been many times where people would call me to want to interview me for Pharmacist positions. Its flattering and then also its kinda disappointing. First I think that I've impressed them with my quality of work I've chose to do. Then it goes to letting them know that I don't have a pharmacist license. Every time I say that part though they ask why not? Then I don't I really have an answer for them.

When I started in Pharmacy, I absolutely loved everything about it. I kept researching all areas of it to get all the background that I do have in it. I did all that, because I never thought the opportunity for me to actually focus on schooling as tough as Pharmacy school would ever be in the cards. 

My life was dealt to me when I was 18. I became a mom that young and I met my husband, I fell in love with almost two years before that. Our family is now the size of 7. I have five amazing kiddos. My husband is a "blue collar worker" whom I love and respect. I chose love and family before I did anything for me. They are my purpose and will always be first. I've been slowly working on my degree while trying to find opportunities to work around our schedules. Things have been really great and then there are those times when its really hard. It just happens that way. Dedication of hours to study, let alone be in a classroom, plus pay the bills and tuition while trying to figure out new tires for a car and private school for my Autistic daughter doesn't seem fair. So I pushed it aside and tried to find a degree that I could make work....while pretty much just wasting my intelligence. 

I'm not trying to sound conceited or into myself. Please don't think that. When I look in the mirror and self reflect, I get down on myself because I know I could be more and offer more then what I do. I don't think I can make something work so I make excuses for it or say nothing at all. 

I did though finally get the support I've needed for a long time.  I've just changed my major yet again (with 5 classes left to graduate with) to a major that will take me to the Air force Commissioned Officer Academy where I will then continue the path to my Doctorate of Pharmacy. Best damn schooling/training/leadership ability out there. I will have the opportunity to give to myself and give to my family all at the same time. This next year and half will be hard....hell even the military part will be even worse. There is though one thing for sure that will be happening and that will be my dream. I don't want to settle for something when I know I'm capable of more. 

So take this as a personal update. ;)