Detox your mind - not your brain. How to take charge of your Oxycontin Addiction.

 

> Twelve million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs.

>Every day, 40 Americans die from prescription painkillers.

>Overdoses of opioid prescription drugs now kill more people in the U.S. than do overdoses from heroin and cocaine combined.

>Over 750,000 people are treated for pain reliever abuse.

 A 43 year old male sought my help in terminating his Oxycontin Addiction. He was taking 6-8 tablets, illicitly purchased, a day for 2 years and lost his grip on life.  Before his Oxycontin Addiction, he was a successful self-employed businessman and family man who never engaged in unhealthy habits or addictive behaviors. A couple of years ago he had an ankle fracture and his doctor prescribed Oxycontin for the pain. He took it for months and was hooked. He was never weaned off the medication nor could he discontinue himself.  

Unfortunately, many prescribing doctors either neglect or disregard the potent addictive nature of Oxycontin and other opioid narcotic analgesics and their long-term effects. As an anesthesiologist and pain specialist, I believe opioids should be prescribed for about one to two weeks, and if necessary followed by less potent non-addictive analgesics or NSAID’s such as ibuprofen. I flat out tell my patients that if they take opioids for more than two weeks - be prepared to be addicted.    

Oxycontin Addiction is an opioid addiction. And like all addictions it is a problem of the mind not the brain. Thus, the mind not the body is locked into the addiction.

Detoxing the brain with chemical agents such as methadone only solves the physical withdrawals which are short-lived. However, these chemical agents do not erase the euphoric effects of Oxycontin Addiction which is registered in the mind and that leads to cravings and urges. These cravings and urges keep the Oxycontin addict hooked. Detoxing the mind from this memory is crucial to break the relationship between Oxycontin and the addict.

I told my patient that to detox his mind he will have to accept the responsibility of his addiction and the willingness to sacrifice the pleasure or the thrill to secure a bright future and good health. Only this step can neutralize his cravings. Detoxing the mind is the turning point in his struggle to clean up his act and to permanently disengage from the addiction. Based on this philosophy, I gave him two turning point treatments to overcome his cravings for the drug which helped set him free from his addiction.

By

Balasa Prasad M.D.

A Point of No Return

A few years ago I saw a 41 year old man, owner of a small business, for a gambling addiction. Once he built a successful business, he decided to take life easy and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He got hooked onto Poker and Blackjack and liked the royal treatment he received in the Las Vegas casinos. In due course, he also became addicted to alcohol. Naturally, his business suffered due to a lack of attention. Mounting losses and debt drove him to anti-depressants and sleep aides.  These medications made matters worse by clouding his judgment.

I wanted to make sure before accepting him as a patient, that he had not crossed the point of no return. His business was battered, but not dead. Besides, he was committed to give up his addictions, regain his reputation and get his business back on track. I told him that he was on the edge, but had not crossed the point of no return. If he had closed his business, he had no chance of recovering from his plight because he would have had nothing to lose. People fall into an abyss once they cross the point of no return. By appreciating good health, a loving family and a successful career you will not reach the point of no return and that will be a turning point in your life.

Balasa Prasad

Give the gift of Peace of Mind: With 3 simple questions

The holiday season is here, a time of giving, helping, sharing and getting together with family and friends. Yet, why are so many people stressed out during this time of year. Perhaps we are feeling overwhelmed with holiday preparations, the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy or the impending fiscal cliff. If any of your loved ones are stressed you can give them the priceless gift of Peace of Mind. Dr. Balasa Prasad & Dr. Preetham Grandhi say this can be done by addressing the following three questions. 

1. Why are you stressed out?

Stress is a by-product of a conflict between your emotions and the actual circumstances that you face. The stronger the conflict, the deeper the stress levels.

2. What can you do about it?

There are only two options to resolve the above mentioned conflict and neutralize stress. First, you change the situation or circumstances to your liking. However, this is easier said than done. If this is not possible, the second option is to adjust your outlook and attitude to work with the circumstances you are facing. There is no third option. Most people prefer the first option but it can be difficult to implement. The second option is relatively easy to implement but may not be to your liking.

3. How do you go about it?

Emotions resist change. Therefore you must switch your emotions with your instincts – the forgotten knight in shining armor, which operates in your best interest. Once you switch your emotional driven mindset to an instinctually driven mindset, you will be able to analyze any predicament and devise a realistic implementable solution. If all else fails your instincts will help your emotions to make the necessary adjustments to deal with the situation or circumstances. Thereby you will enjoy peace of mind.

By Balasa Prasad M.D& Preetham Grandhi M.D