2004 Opiate Dependency Report

Drug Dependencies Often Begin in the Doctor's Office

Waismann Institute's 2004 Opiate Dependency Report Reveals Challenges Faced by Pain Management Practitioners and Patients

The Waismann Institute released the findings of its 2004 Opiate Dependency Report , which shows that 56 percent of patients' opiate dependencies began with medication prescribed by their doctors. (figure 1) The findings are based on a survey conducted of over 100 patients receiving treatment for dependency to opiates such as painkillers OxyContin, Vicodin and Lortab, and the illegal narcotic heroin.

"The results of our 2004 Opiate Dependency Report indicate that there is a challenge faced by doctors treating patients in the evolving field of pain management," said Clare Waismann, executive director of The Waismann Institute. "The survey shows how painkiller dependencies often begin with a legal prescription to treat pain, and then the brain unsuspectingly develops a chemical reliance on the drug. These are not people who indulged in recreational drug use to achieve a high."

The Waismann Institute's 2004 Opiate Dependency Report also reveals that 53 percent of patients who were dependent on a prescribed medication did not ask for assistance from the prescribing doctor to get off the drug after the dependency was realized. (figure 2)

"It is common to see patients who feel shame for their dependencies; therefore, they will not admit to their doctors that a problem has arisen," said Waismann. "They also harbor the fear that if they inform the doctor of the dependency, the doctor will immediately stop prescribing them the drug."

The study also found that 14 percent of patients visited multiple doctors to obtain their drugs. (figure 3) Additionally, for the majority of patients, the survey results indicated that dependency to prescription pain medication was their only experience with a drug dependency. Fifty-three percent of respondents reported they had never experienced dependency issues with any type of illegal drug. (figure 4)

For more information on the Waismann Institute, or to schedule an interview with Clare Waismann, contact Rachel Kay at 619-234-0345 or via email at kay@formulapr.com .

The exclusive Waismann Method of Neuro-Regulation is administered by Drs. Clifford Bernstein and Michael Lowenstein to treat opiate dependency. Performed in a hospital intensive care unit, the Waismann Method involves cleansing the opiate receptors in the patient's brain of the narcotics while the patient is under anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will have no consciousness of withdrawal, and will be able to return home within a couple of days. Over 65 percent of patients treated with the Waismann Method remain drug free after one year.

Figure 1

How did your dependency begin?

Figure 2

Did you seek help in getting off the drug from the doctor that prescribed you the drug prior to the being treated with the Waismann Method?

Figure 3

What were your methods of obtaining the drug?

Figure 4

Have you experienced dependency issues with any type of illegal drug before seeking this help?