WAISMANN METHOD® Medical Director Urges Immediate Action to End Prescription Painkiller Overdose Epidemic

A Death Occurs Every 19 Minutes Due to Prescription Drug Abuse

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Jun 05, 2013, 10:05 ET

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to data showing one person dies every 19 minutes in the U.S. from a prescription drug overdose, Michael H. Lowenstein M.D., medical director for the WAISMANN METHOD® opiate treatment, is urging Americans to grasp the severity of the prescription drug epidemic and help to raise awareness about the dangerous and addictive properties of these medications, as well as the need for effective treatment programs for those who may already be struggling with dependency. This statistic is three times the number it was in 1990, and eclipses the number of deaths caused by heroin and cocaine combined. In fact, the issue of prescription drug overdose is so severe that it has been addressed by the Obama Administration, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

"In a society where we often gravitate toward a 'quick fix,' it is disheartening to see that prescription drug abuse is now considered one of the leading causes of death in the U.S," said Dr. Lowenstein. "Sadly, thousands of lives are being lost annually that could be saved with better preventative measures and more education regarding the dangers of these drugs. In order to truly gain control over this rampant outbreak sweeping the nation, we need a societal shift in how we view and prescribe these medications, and the way we treat drugs, addiction and pain with the goal of taking action to stop this vicious cycle from continuing to occur within our society."

With more than 1.3 million emergency room visits logged in 2010 related to the abuse of prescription drugs, this widespread problem has been dubbed as one of the largest man-made epidemics throughout history. In the recent 2013 National Drug Control Strategy by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, data from 2011 showed that 2.3 million Americans used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes for the first time, with 1.9 million of them using painkillers, mostly opioids. While this is also considered one of the most expensive drug problems to have, the statistics of people illegally abusing prescription painkillers, such as Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycodone, solidify the fact that more education and treatment options are needed to combat this rising problem.

For those struggling with prescription painkiller dependency, one treatment that has gained national attention for its patient's success is the WAISMANN METHOD®. The WAISMANN METHOD® of rapid opiate detoxification is a safe and effective medical procedure that rids the body of opiates while the patient remains comfortable in a sedation-induced "twilight sleep." After detox symptoms have been addressed and medically managed at a full-service accredited hospital, patients are supervised at an after-care facility, where they are able to regain physical and emotional stability in order to return to their lives opiate free.

"Prescription drug abuse is considered the No. 1 gateway for abusing harsher opiates such as heroin, so it is vital for these patients to seek help before it is too late," said Dr. Lowenstein. "WAISMANN METHOD® works on the methodology of offering patients true sobriety with each treatment developed based on an individual's unique background and history, rather than taking the cookie-cutter approach, which often leads to relapse."

For more information about WAISMANN METHOD®, please visit www.opiates.com. For interviews, contact Natalie Terashima at 877-975-3423 or send an email to Natalie(at)rkpr(dot)net.

About WAISMANN METHOD® Treatment
WAISMANN METHOD® is pioneering opiate treatment based on a safe and proven protocol that utilizes the most advanced medical techniques available. A major center for opioid dependency, treatment, and detoxification, WAISMANN METHOD® offers a variety of programs from rapid opiate detoxification under sedation, to medically assisted detoxification and other forms of treatment at Domus Retreat. Our doctors, therapists and staff work with patients to create personalized treatment and aftercare plans designed to ensure a healthy and effective transition to life without opiates. WAISMANN METHOD® patients achieve an extraordinarily high success rate because our team of professionals assesses and performs treatments that are most appropriate for each unique patient rather than administering the same treatment to everyone. Based on individual needs and dependency histories we create detoxification and aftercare programs that are customized to each patient. We always put treatment and care over blame and punishment. For more information, please visit opiates.com.

SOURCE WAISMANN METHOD