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!

Prescription Drug Abuse..On the Rise? Or Reincarnation of War on Drugs?

Watched the local news last night: Headline was: "Increased efforts by Law enforcement to crack down on prescription drug abuse". I did not "buy it". There has been no more increase in prescription drug abuse than there has been an increase in alcoholism. So why the hype?

In the 80's there was the : "Just say No":  campaign, which showed the complete ignorance of the body politic of drug addiction and alcoholism. Coincidentally that was also the period of the treatment center boon. Alcoholism and drug addiction were; "qualified disabilities" by the Social Security administration guidelines. In Rhode Island alone there were as many as 8 Treatment centers for drug and alcohol abuse. Nationally, there were staggering numbers of these facilities opening their doors, with prices tags ranging from $26000.00 to $48,000.00 from a 28 day stay. It appeared Alcoholics and Addicts were "un-mined" Gold.

In The Mid to Late 1980's there was a Federally funded  program : "The War on Drugs" started. It targeted the large drug dealers of Columbia and South America and their associates in the States. In short it failed miserably. But it led to the discovery that: There was more money in arresting and jailing alcoholics and drug addicts than there was in treating them.

MADD stepped up their efforts and managed to gain some power and "took out" , the; probable cause law from the legal system. Law enforcement could stop at will any driver they thought was "suspicious". Of course any person out in the evening on a Friday or Saturday night was suspicious. Also, the level of intoxication by breathalyzer reading was also lowered and has been ever since. The penalties for drunk driving or Driving under the influence was raised to lengthy jail sentences. ( The last I was aware of, was 25 years for third offense DUI). New jails were built and an entire industry of arresting alcoholics and addicts was born. Coincidentally< The alcoholics and addicts were now disqualified from Disability benefits: by the very fact of they were alcoholic or drug addicted at any time, in their past.> Strange, It was no longer a "disease": but now a matter of lacking morals, and a matter of choice: bad choice.

What happened to the War on Drugs? Well by all appearances, minus the occasional arrest of a drug kingpin, which made the news, It all but died. But alas: witness it's rebirth.....In the beginning It was re focused on the minority neighborhoods, and the small meth and crack dealers. Mostly underprivileged youth looking for a " shortcut" to the American dream. The arrest of the " small" dealers had literally no effect on the drug distribution in any area. One would be arrested, and three would take their place.But it jailed many; mostly minorities who could not get adequate legal representation.

The new" rise" in prescription drug abuse? Prescription drug abuse has been around for a long, long time.  The abusers are addicts plain and simple. But why the sudden focus, like it is a new trend?

Big Money! Law enforcement has been arresting Doctors, and patients. ( The privilege of Doctor /Patient confidentiality has been eradicated)  The DEA monitors prescriptions dispensed and views the Doctor's Medical recommendations through the lens of : " Community Norms" .

To explain this new criteria: "Community Norms". It is oversimplified here but will summarize the theory: If all the average people in an area, being treated by physician for chronic pain, require 3 Ibuprofen for their Pain management: This becomes the community Norm. So, In essence if a patient presents with a sprained ankle or broken finger, It is the same, in this view, as: Cancer patients, and Other chronic pain disorders. When a Doctor attempts to treat their more serious pain patients conditions, by prescribing any Class of medication other than OTC pain control. . It triggers a " Red Flag"  with Law enforcement. The Doctor has to be able to " explain" their treatment and prescribing practices or face the " inquisition" of any number of Law enforcement agencies and possibly be arrested.

Little wonder most Doctors, are frightened, and hesitant to attempt to treat serious pain patients, with debilitating conditions. The patients can find No relief for their condition, and often are discarded, and forced to go to local Emergency rooms to get temporary pain relief. Spoke with a physician the other day: They stated: " they do not dispense any Pain medication whatsoever, regardless the condition".  Could anyone blame them? Doctors generally have money, and targeting them < is pure Profit genius at work.

This is not say; there Does not exist a serious problem with the abuse of prescription drugs. There is and it has been around for a very long time. The abusers are drug addicts: The medication prescribed; can form a dependency in any person, and addiction to the "med" is often a realistic outcome for many. But this requires medical monitoring and treatment and education. Not arrests of Doctors and patients.

Though the Illegal sale of the prescribed medication, by patients;  is, and should be, qualified as a crime. Law enforcement has found the " Golden Cow"  for funding the "War On Drugs" all over again. Increased budgets for building a force of agents, and stiffer sentences for those who violate the Law. More jails and more jobs for correctional officers. It is completely understandable and to an effect; desirable. We all want a "safer" community and one free of drugs and illegal activities. But drug addicts are physically sick people, who need treatment.

Though "they" may be a "collateral damage" factor, when estimating the need for enforcement.There seems to be no apparent reduction of drug addiction, by these efforts. Only a Fearful Medical community; not willing to treat their patients, with medical procedures and prescription medication, when such is indicated. There is also a  large group of chronic pain patients who suffer needlessly because of the " community norm" model.
The Patient /Doctor confidentiality privilege needs to be maintained. If not: patients in agonizing pain will seek remedy by illegal means or any means necessary for relief. Thus fueling the Illegal Sale of prescription drugs or a rise in alcohol abuse.

Having no privilege of confidentiality: What drug addict or alcoholic,( seeking help) in their right mind, would mention their activities  to a Doctor; who might report them to Law enforcement? Remember most of them. do not believe they are addicted or even have a problem. So, the addiction problem grows, and alcohol abuse will rise as Pain Patients will seek relief through readily available and Legal means.

This blog is not an attack on the Law enforcement efforts, It is a request to review the actions and consider: Medical conditions need Medical treatment. History provides a lesson: Prohibition brought about an entire industry of "underground" methods to get alcohol. Yet did not curb American's desire for alcohol. This effort is creating a similar situation. Some States now have doctors who are setting up shop: Take a quick MRI and then prescribe Narcotics, to patients, collect a nice little profit and "treat" the next " patient" . Sort of the modern day: " speakeasy".

Though, certain there are no easy answers; treatment is surely needed, as well as education about Addiction and Dependency. The illegal activities do need " shut down" and prosecuted.Law enforcement needs support to assist their efforts. An community that is aware, and educated can provide such assistance.

While the budget for arresting and jailing offenders has grown, There have been sharp cut-backs in available funding for Treatment and Education of the Addicts and Community. Hopefully this will be reviewed.

Addiction and Alcoholism are real Medical diseases and require treatment. "They" were correct in earlier decades in the AMA stating such. The change took place because no one had any idea of the gravity of the problem. ( and of course there were those who used the system to get a Free ride.) So the AMA rescinded their previous declaration of " disease". Now the " disease" has reached epidemic proportions, and treatment is " classified: as "self-help/self improvement."

If you or a loved one are Taking prescription meds or experiencing a lack of control with alcohol or gambling or any other compulsive behavior. There is help available. In complete confidence. Contact Us Today. Our service is Free! A New life can be found through a Holistic approach Treatment ( One that includes Medical evaluation and alternative therapies geared towards your total health; through an individually developed treatment plan.) We can guide you. There is hope!