Novus Detox Says Pill Mill Legislation Leaves Unpredicted Fatal Consequence for Communities
New Port Richey, FL (PRWEB) September 20, 2013 -- As an unexpected side effect of pill mill legislation and closures, substance abusers are now turning to heroin to achieve a much cheaper, faster high. As the tight monitoring of prescription drugs has dramatically increased their price on the street, heroin has become the go-to drug of choice for many people struggling with addiction. Novus Medical Detox, one of the only Florida-based detox centers serving high-dosage prescription drug abuse patients, says that this is the newest phase of the burgeoning prescription drug epidemic—and public education regarding alternatives for individuals unwittingly afflicted with addiction should be made known.
Though the epidemic has its roots in Florida (1), heroin abuse is now dispersed across the nation:
- Indiana: About one out of every 100 high school seniors in the state uses heroin—Columbus undercover officers made five heroin buys all of last year, but this year, they’ve already made more than 30.
- A new study shows the number of Hoosier teens using heroin is more than double the national average (2).
- Delaware: Seizures of the drug by New Castle County police in Delaware have ballooned 860 percent in quantity compared with this time last year (3).
- New Jersey: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said that the county saw its 88th heroin overdose of 2013 this week; in 2012, the county had a total of 52 heroin-related deaths. Bergen County has reported 20 heroin overdose deaths so far in 2013; authorities counted at least 38 in 2011 and 2012 combined (4).
Novus, which treats patients from all over the U.S., says that this is the unfortunate and unforeseen consequence of pill mill legislation without accompanying public education of alternative solutions.
“The heroin withdrawal process is so difficult, its abusers often avoid detox and rehab at all costs,” said Kent Runyon, Novus Executive Director. “But they don’t realize that they have options—without public education, people will likely continue abusing prescription drugs and then other illicit drugs such as heroin, even though they may wish to live a sober life.”
Runyon says that detox is the first step in helping people reclaim their lives from heroin addiction, but the key to stemming the rising heroin epidemic is through public education about the potential dangers of heroin abuse, including:
- Heavy withdrawal symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and panic attacks;
- Exposure to HIV and hepatitis (through intravenous use);
- Liver and/or kidney disease; and
- Heart infections.
“Losing their supply of prescription drugs from pill mills can increase an abuser’s compulsion to use—it doesn’t necessarily extinguish it,” said Runyon. “Heroin causes a ‘high’ similar to that of [opiate] prescription drugs, which is possibly why heroin abuse has surged recently. But for people who are struggling with addiction, we have to make it known that there is help available.”
Novus opened its doors with the purpose of fixing the detox process to ensure that anyone could overcome addiction comfortably. The detox center handles the toughest of drug and alcohol cases, many of which are rejected from other facilities as “too high a risk.”
The detox process has been historically a one-size-fits-all system where some were able to tough it out, but many were not. Novus’ proprietary I.V. vitamin cocktail is tailored to each individual’s needs to replenish nutrients lost during drug abuse, allowing them to treat high-dose patients with minimal pain. By paying particular attention to strengthening patients’ bodies during the detox process via proprietary medical protocols, medical staff members at Novus say that this aspect is the difference between detox being “too painful to confront” and people successfully getting their lives back.
Novus advises those who are dependent on any abusive substance(s) to seek out safe, medically-supervised detox programs, and to use those with integrated medicine that allows the detox process to be as pain-free as possible. Otherwise, per Runyon, the door is barred by the “fear of withdrawal” before it is ever opened.
To learn more about the Novus Medical Detox center and its addiction and detox programs, visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.
About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Fla., Novus is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as an inpatient medical detox facility. Novus is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs or alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient, incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment—putting the dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, television, DVD player and high-speed Internet access.
1.Smith, Doug. “After Pain Pill Crackdown, Heroin Use Jumps.” Myfoxtampabay.com. FOX 13, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23116732/2013/08/12/after-pain-pill-crackdown-heroin-use-jumps.
2.Runevitch, Jennie. “Columbus on Alert after Heroin-related Deaths.” Wthr.com. N.p., 7 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. wthr.com/story/23362015/2013/09/06/columbus-on-alert-after-heroin-related-deaths.
3.McMichael, William, and Terri Sanginiti. “Heroin Use Rising Dramatically in Delaware.” Delwareonline.com. N.p., 14 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. delawareonline.com/article/20130915/NEWS01/309150031/Heroin-use-rising-dramatically-Delaware.
4.O’Brien, Rebecca D. “N.J. Heroin, Painkiller Use Growing, Experts Warn.” Northjersey.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. northjersey.com/news/bergen/NJ_heroin_painkiller_use_growing.html?page=all.p
Karla Jo Helms, JoTo PR, 888-202-4614 802, [email protected]
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