FAQS

Drug Alert: Epidemic of Prescription Drug Overdose in Ohio

Did You Know That:

  • The leading cause of accidental death in Ohio and the U.S. is drug overdose by prescription painkillers.5
  • An Ohioan dies every 4+ hours due to prescription painkillers.6
  • Prescription pain medications are associated with more overdoses than any other prescription or illegal drug including cocaine and heroin.1
  • Prescription pain medications most associated with overdose are:
    • Methadone
    • Oxycodone (OxyContin)
    • Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
    • Fentanyl
    • Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Klonopin, Valium
  • “Deaths from opioid overdose have increased fourfold in the past decade, and methadone now accounts for nearly a third of opioid-associated deaths,” said the CDC Director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden.
  • Use of multiple drugs, especially multiple depressants, is a risk factor for unintentional overdose.

Why is There an Epidemic of Prescription Drug Overdose?

Societal and medical trends that lead to this problem include changes in clinical prescribing practices for pain medication, changes in marketing of medications directly to consumers, overmedication and mixing medications, substance abuse, widespread diversion of medications, deception of providers including doctor shopping and prescription fraud, unscrupulous providers (e.g., “pill mills”) and medication errors.

Did You Know That…

Methadone is Prescribed to Ease Pain, But It is a Killer.
Methadone, one of the most commonly prescribed painkillers in the United States, accounts for nearly 30 percent of painkiller overdose deaths each year. Overall, this has caused up to 5,000 overdose deaths annually, more than twice the number for any other opioid.

Methadone Accumulates in the Body.
While Methadone can be effective in blocking pain for up to six hours at a time, it can build up over time, causing respiratory issues and even death. This occurs because Methadone can interfere with normal heart rhythms and breathing rates even when it is correctly taken. Once it is taken, Methadone can stay in someone’s system for days.

Methadone Took Oxycontin’s Place.
While Oxycontin used to be the drug of choice for doctors who needed to relieve chronic pain, with the scrutiny of law enforcement, physicians began looking for another option. Methadone fit the bill with a long history of safe use and inexpensive pricing.

Methadone is Not Only for Addicts.
Methadone has been used for a long time to manage chronic pain. Prescribed by general practitioners and other generalists who don’t fully understand the dangers in opioid use, many patients quickly get into trouble when using it to manage pain. Methadone use for addiction recovery is used in a highly controlled environment and only given in small doses.

What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse/Addiction for Family Members to Monitor?

  • Forging or altering prescriptions
  • Stealing or borrowing prescriptions
  • Increasing dosage of prescribed amounts
  • Arrested or convicted of diversion or other drug offense
  • DUI’s
  • Obtaining drugs from multiple providers
  • Having family members, friends, law enforcement or healthcare professional expressing concern
  • History of substance abuse
  • Appearing impaired
  • Asking for early refills
  • Sharing drugs with another person
  • History of illegal drug use
  • Recurring ER visits

If You Have a Loved One Exhibiting These Signs
Don’t Let Inaction Turn Into Regret

Please Call Our Law Office Toll-Free at (866) 568-2275 for a FREE Case Evaluation

What are the Signs/Symptoms for Drug Abuse/Addiction a Doctor or Pharmacist Should Catch?

  • Lying
  • Asking for drugs by name
  • Overrating pain
  • Describing pain as 10 of 10
  • Wanting to try drugs he/she’s heard about from other sources – TV, friends
  • Losing meds
  • Asking for increase of drugs
  • Increasing drug usage without permission
  • Use of drugs from friends or relatives
  • Calls from pharmacy with concerns of early refills
  • Indications from other care providers of concern
  • Indications of concern from family, friends, law enforcement or courts
  • Letters from health insurance company telling doctors that patient is taking too many opiates
  • Letters from Medicare questioning drug use
  • Psychosis
  • Complaints of nebulous, unverifiable pain
  • Suspect urine screens
  • Requesting to “get off” certain drugs
  • Asking for brand name and not generic
  • Asking for three-month refills
  • Trying to stop medications, but unsuccessful
  • Drug, opiate possession violations
  • Failing drug screens