Novus Medical Detox Center Warns Public of Dangers of 'Pill Mill' Pain Clinics for Alcohol and Drug Detox

PORT RICHEY, Fla., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the state Attorney General's office cracks down on Florida "pill mills," Novus Medical Detox Center warns against the dangers of pain clinics and advises those dependent on drugs and alcohol to seek out safe, medically supervised detox programs.

In response to the statewide health threat posed by prescription medication abuse, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed former state senator Dave Aronberg as Special Prosecutor, Prescription Drug Trafficking. "It is unacceptable that Florida has become the nation's pill mill capital and that multiple Floridians are dying every day from illegal prescription drug abuse," said Bondi. "We will use all the powers and resources of the Attorney General's Office in a comprehensive effort to eradicate pill mills from our state."*

A presentation prepared by Aronberg reveals that prescription drugs are responsible for killing more than seven Floridians a day, representing an upward trend over the past seven years - with 2,710 prescription-drug-related deaths in Florida in 2010 alone. Aronberg attributes much of the blame to pain clinics - or "pill mills" - that conspire in "the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances outside the scope of the prevailing standards of medical practice in the community" or in violation of state law. His presentation also lists a number of tip-offs for pill mills, including non-traditional medical office locations, long lines inside and outside, no insurance accepted and treatments limited to pills only.**

"Not only are these so-called pain clinics responsible for getting many Floridians addicted to painkillers and antidepressants, but many claim they can help people detox, then simply issue more prescriptions before sending patients out the door," said Kirk Burness, Director of Novus Medical Detox Center. "Their actions are not only irresponsible, but downright dangerous - and sometimes even fatal. The best and safest approach is a medically supervised detox in an inpatient setting."

Burness notes that Novus offers a safer alternative to pill mills, providing customized inpatient alcohol and drug treatment programs in a comfortable, residential setting. "In addition to administering medications under medical supervision, Novus also uses natural supplements and vitamin/fluid IV drips to help patients safely detox while minimizing the pain and discomfort of withdrawal," he explained. "Novus patients have 24/7 access to nursing care and a withdrawal specialist, and may be able to pay for their treatment through healthcare insurance. And because Novus is licensed by the state, the facility undergoes an extensive renewal inspection every year."

According to Burness, Novus' detoxification programs have a high success rate. "While 'cold turkey' or too-rapid withdrawals have a success rate of less than 5%, more than 90% of Novus' patients complete their detox program. That's because Novus focuses exclusively on detox, and understands how to keep patients from getting sick during the withdrawal process. Once patients have completed a detox program and gotten the drugs or alcohol out of their system, they can then move on to rehab and support programs. Novus helps patients take that all-important first step toward reclaiming their lives from drugs or alcohol, and provides the nurturing, supportive environment they need to do so."

For additional information on Novus Medical Detox Center, including the ways Novus differs from pill mills and rapid detox centers, visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.

About Novus Medical Detox Center

Novus Medical Detox Center offers safe and effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in Port Richey, Florida, 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 telephone, television, DVD player and high-speed Internet access. For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center, please visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.

* Malek, Mitra. "Former state senator Dave Aronberg to lead state pill-mill crackdown." The Palm Beach Post; December 31, 2010. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/former-state-senator-dave-aronberg-to-lead-state-1156293.html

** Aronberg, Dave. "Prescription Drug Abuse: Florida's Health Crisis." PDF presentation; available on the Tallahassee/Leon County Responsible Decision Making Coalition website. http://leonrdmc.org/docs/pdf/Aronberg%20Rx%20Drug%20Abuse%20Training.pdf

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SOURCE Novus Medical Detox Center