RIP Whitney Houston another victim. When will we admit this is a disease?

Today the world lost another wonderful talent; Whitney Houston. Though, the cause of death has not been authenticated/ determined, much of the media coverage is about the star's struggle without alcohol and drug addiction.
Thanks to the AMA ruling, that addiction is not a disease ( a politically solicited act paid for by the large insurance agencies, Medicine failed the common good and promulgated a lie, untruth, in direct opposition to the facts they possess.)
If anyone's death is caused by Alcoholism /Addiction there is almost no empathy, and even a hasty and harsh rush to judgement, that it could have been avoided. If the disease were; cancer or any other "Disease" there is sadness over the loss, compassion and understanding, and usually no judgement of the character of the victim.
Alcoholism/Addiction is not a lack of willpower, or moral fiber. It is not a "choice" by the victim. It is a real and tangible disease, but admission of such by professionals would come at a great cost ( outlined below) , combine this professional lack of diagnoses, with an overall public ignorance of Medicine in general, and especially alcohol and drug addiction, there is little wonder the victim is often blamed. It simply is not true.
Doctors receive very little professional training in Alcohol and Addiction Treatment, They also receive grossly inadequate training in Chronic pain management. So, by default , and by directives of insurers Medical Professionals are trained to be skeptical of the Victims of the Diseases of: Alcoholism, Addiction and those that suffer Chronic Pain go under treated. In fact, there is a new Psychological disorder, being exhibited by the medical professional community named: "opiophobia" - The Fear of prescribing painkillers needed to treat exacerbation and acute pain. The rationale of this course of action /inaction is logical when you consider the costs outlined below.
In the early 1980's Alcoholism and Addiction treatment were popular, and even the AMA categorized them as diseases in the DSM-IV -The Basic Tool of differential diagnosis and medical determination. Be classified as such insurance companies were bound to provide coverage, Treatment even became fashionable. But the Insurance companies were not pleased with the cost they had to bear to treat the diseases. So, through influence and money peddling to the AMA; they managed to convince the Doctors to change the classification to a disorder, and one of a largely self-inflicted nature and therefore treatment options and costs to insurance companies were greatly reduced. Treatment programs reduced their duration ( and cost) , Even Social Security would no longer accept that Alcoholism / Addiction qualified as a disease, given the AMA determination. This disqualified formerly qualified individual victims of this disease from receiving Social Security benefits. Even greater savings for the Government and Social Security expanded their savings by creating a rule: whereby, if Alcoholism /Addiction were part of any applicants past history they would disqualified on such basis from receiving any benefits. Immense savings, even if it it cost lives, and denied rightful recipients of their benefits. The Total Cost savings is in the Trillions of Dollars, and much of this was kicked back to politicians and Medical AMA professionals in earmarks and funding, as well as some extremely favorable anti malpractice lawsuit recovery legislation. ( Capped Limits on Lawsuits...)
The New " War On Drugs", is tied directly to the Prison Industry, as well as increased law enforcement budgets, and drunk driving yielding higher penalties and greater fines. The amount of money gained through prosecuting the diseased and imprisoning them is inestimable. Hundreds of trillions of extra dollars, not to mention more Police Power over the rights of the individual. ( Basically, the Fourth amendment is now largely theoretical. Road blocks, Sobriety Check Points, and Soon Testing of welfare recipients, unemployment beneficiaries for drugs and alcohol.) So, Not only the financial incentives, but the power of Government is at stake.
Disease is defined -"a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, ..." Alcohol;
in the Alcoholic, is metabolically processed differently in the Alcoholic' body. Alcoholism can be predetermined by examining the DNA for a missing Chromosome. It has symptoms, and also has progression, and is lethal in most instances (either directly of indirectly by auto accidents, accidents)...The AMA Formerly acknowledged it was a disease. But aside from the aforementioned incentives to declassify it is as a disease, The Doctors had no treatment protocol that worked for treatment, No Pharmacological ( and profitable) Cure to promote and the exposure of Medical Professionals to " Malpractice for failure to treat properly". They had to abandon the classification even though, factually, it was untrue. 
Addiction/ Drug Addiction- can be tested and actually created/simulated..Simply administer Narcotics, opiates, Barbiturates.....Etc, in increasing dosage over a period of time, and then abruptly stop administering the dosage and monitor the bodies vital signs: Withdrawal will occur and in some cases ( the Addict) The withdrawal symptoms will be Life Threatening...Also, in ( the Addict) The Tolerance threshold for medicinal dosages cannot be reached, these levels would kill a Non- Addict or Normal individual.
This is the primary reason why Doctors are reluctant to properly treat pain also, For Fear they are "feeding an Addict's Addiction" ( which oddly enough would be construed as treatment,if followed up with a supervised Medical reduction program coupled with Treatment for the Disease Addiction.) The end result:
Chronic Pain Patients and those with Chronic Pain Conditions and Flare-Ups are viewed as despicable and desperate Drug seekers/ Frequent fliers/Malingerers at Medical treatment facilities, The Doctors ignorance spills over to the nursing staff, and Chronic pain patients are often subject to unnecessary and Illegal suffering.
The Doctors expose themselves to an underused Legal Cause of Action, here though; and hopefully, more patients will sue for justice, and attention to their needs, and the Medical Professions' own failure to comply with their Mission Directive and Oath of Medical Professionals: That being " To not allow needless suffering."
There is a great deal of work to be done and many issues which can be addressed, But begin with informing the Public: Alcoholism/ Addiction are Lethal Diseases, and their victims die every day. Whitney Houston suffered and struggled with this disease, which shows; as a disease, Alcoholism/Addiction, is no respecter of Wealth, Success, Gender, Talent, Positions, Will power, Drive......It is as powerful, perhaps more powerful than Other diseases, and the VICTIMS need compassion, understanding and proper Medical Treatment, Not Ridicule, Harsh Judgement, Lectures, imprisonment, Marginalization and Ignorance. It is prevalent in our society: Most families have a victim in their immediate or extended family and Nationally Tens of Millions are affected/afflicted.
Do not let this FRAUD by the AMA, Doctors, Government, Leave victims to needlessly die. Educate Inform advocate and treat, and work towards a cure or recovery. Millions are in recovery, But None of them of will tell you they are "cured". They live with the disease, and die with the disease. But during their lifetimes, they can, and do contribute, and can be the most highly respectable, successful, and artistic contributors in our society. Just Like our Dear Whitney Houston, who will be sorely missed by millions. Dare not judge her for her disease and its symptoms, but look to her success and life and consider the love and loss her family is experiencing. If Alcoholism /Addiction was the cause of her death: Does any reasonable person believe: she would choose it?
Demand the Truth from The AMA, DHHR, US Government.......Thousand of our Veterans are returning home and also suffer without any compassion or treatment. This is too important to let go! Not another life need be lost!

Is There an Addiction Problem in your Business?

Is addiction or Professional Burn-out in your organization? Best to find out before the costs accumulate.

Not only is there the humanitarian interest; the cost to a business: the loss of a trained and
productive employee can be considerable.
I am a Professional Addictions Consultant: I am available to your organization for consultation with Management, and Owners, and Human resource departments. I can also provide: workshops, and guest lecturers; to speak to your employees, managers, or group. These speakers are experts in their respective fields and part of my network. They Include Medical Doctors, Research PhD’s,Practitioners, Inspirational and Motivational speakers, Authors, and Celebrities: Who can educate motivate and intervene.
I am also a Treatment Liaison, for many of the Treatment centers nationwide. I am available to visit your location and conduct casual assessments, and develop Your organization’s plan for eliminating the problem, help you to identify potential problems and provide you with literature and direct contact referral: for those you suspect are having difficulties: all in complete confidentiality.
I have over 20 years in the Alcohol/ Addiction Treatment field and an impressive success rate with clients, both business and addicts / alcoholics themselves.
A New area we have been working in is: “Professional Burn-out” we have discovered this to be a growing problem in many High-stress or performance related positions: High Level Executives,Business Owners, Judges, Lawyers, Sales Staff, Firefighters, Law Enforcement…Of course this is an area which requires the strictest adherence to complete confidentiality, and You will find we have Never, had a breach! These individuals are often difficult to approach given their position and what exposure could mean in terms of loss. Our Professional Burn-out Program is tailor-made for these individuals, and addresses the causes and works from a Holistic approach to remedy the problem.
Including: Medical evaluation and alternative therapies.
So Who is the Addict?: In some instances this will be quite obvious, but more than likely “they” have been able to avoid detection. “They” are not being purposefully deceptive: They are often unaware themselves; (What
they believed to be recreational enjoyment is actually the early stages of addiction.) 

** ( Addiction will be the term used from this point forward to address both: Drug Addiction and or Alcoholism). 

One component of the disease, almost universal, is: “Denial”. The addicted justifies their behavior and ignores warning signs there might exist a problem. Being an Employer, this makes the task of identifying “troubled” employees even more difficult. Some warning signs to watch for:
- Frequent tardiness or missing work
- Lethargy or loss of interest, maybe loss of their normal humor or lack of social engagements
- Decrease in work productivity or work quality; missed deadlines…
- Changes in behavior, attitude or occasionally physical signs, appearance, grooming,
shakiness, nervous energy, isolation
- Smell of alcohol, or heavy masking scents cologne, perfume, mouthwash, mints,etc.
The list is by no means comprehensive just some basic signs, that might be observed. The most definitive parameter: would be changes in work product and other “Changes” you might observe.
You, more than likely conduct periodic performance reviews or directly observe employees work habits. As part of such review you might need to get a bit: ”personal” and ask questions tactfully about any problems the employee might be experiencing. On Occasion; they will be quite frank with you,and discuss family situations or deaths, or other personal issues openly. If you notice a problem related to Addiction: Be quite forthright with your supposition, ( Note not accusation) In the form of a question: “ I noticed your have missed three days of work last month, Do you have an alcohol or drug problem? “ (The wording is of course optional but the question should be asked: outright.) Await their response, and observe their reaction. Some might be shocked or offended, and some may offer another explanation for their behavior or deficit. If you find no progress in the personal assessment and interview, You may need wait and observe their behavior, Monitoring for any additional signs or
problems.
If it is obvious, Or they state: They are in fact wondering or admit they are having an addiction problem. ( Of course this depends on your organizations policies and procedures, and employees job capacity) You might offer them a stern but helpful alternative. Tell them what help is available and/ or
that they need to immediately address the issue, or their position will be in jeopardy. If they are obviously addicted and their behavior is placing the organization or others in harms way, You might have to discharge them, or suspend them for a period, and demand they seek assistance with the
problem. You can provide our contact information in either event. 267-7WE HELP (267-793-4357)
If; they are in fact addicted, and desire no help with their problem; IT may be best to simply terminate them. Over time, they will get progressively worse and place your company and others in greater danger. This action might also cause them to look seriously at their problem and seek resolution/
treatment or at least investigate the possibility that; they are; indeed sick.
Addiction is, in fact: a disease, much like: Cancer, Schizophrenia, Depression, and Arthritis….It is progressive and often fatal. It has both physical and mental symptoms, it can be diagnosed clinically and identified by it’s symptoms. Which include:
- Increased tolerance to the substance- By some strange mechanism in the physical body,
The addict begins to have an increased tolerance to the substance. The original dose des not bring the desired “effect.” i.e( Pain Pill- where one pill would bring pain relief, after a short period of usage, it will require a higher dosage to achieve the same level of relief,. So now 1.5 or 2 pills is required and again after a time 3-4 might be needed…..) With alcohol. The addict
might be able to consume amounts, which would hospitalize the average social drinker. ( they are often “proud “ of the amount they can consume.)
- Withdrawal physical and mental symptoms- A classic sign that addiction is present: When
the addicted attempts to stop usage of the substance, there is a phenomenon :”withdrawal” physically the heart rate can change, sickness and lethargy, or restless energy and hyperactivity, mentally; confusion, irritability, anger, sadness/depression, discontent. ( This is of course a cursory listing, there are many more symptoms which would appear) In extreme cases, there are hallucinations, and suicidal tendencies.
In fact, The addict will be resistant; to quit the use of the substance , because they have become reliant upon the effects produced: Euphoria, Energy, Lack of concern, …..They develop a mental obsession or fixation with the substance. They cannot get the thought “out of their head” Until they can once again, experience the effects produced by the substance.
They will often demonstrate many undesirable personality traits: Dishonesty, Unreasonable fear, and other behaviors to “protect” their usage. If approached, they can often become, defensive, and aggressive. ( again this is a summary list and many more exhibitions may manifest depending upon
the substance, and period of abuse)
The disease is progressive and many times fatal, at the very least it will eventually lead to Legal complications, Family and Work-related problems. The hopeful news is: This disease can be successfully treated. The behaviors eliminated, and over a period of time the addict can once again
become: a productive and loyal employee and member of society. They can acquire; Peace, contentment and joy, restore relations with family, friends, and work associates.

Visit us at http://www.addictionsconsult.com