Sage Stallone: Could he have overdosed on prescription pain killers?

English: Actor Sylvester Stallone - 66th Venice International Film Festival. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stallone in happier times

Hints as to the possible cause of the death of Sylvester Stallone's son Sage Stallone have been directed to the recent use of pain killers by the deceased. Reports indicate that Sage Stallone had undergone recent dental work, including multiple tooth extractions. His mother, Sasha Czack stated that her son had been in a lot of pain.

The LA Times also reported that there were  a lot of empty bottles of powerful pain killers located inside Stallone's home. There were enough empty pill bottles to warrant an investigation by the LA Robbery and Homicide Division. An autopsy was performed on Sunday, however the coroners office is still waiting for results from the toxicology report.

Prescription pain killers are just as dangerous as any street drugs, and just as deadly. Many times the wealthy have access to far more prescription medications than the average person does and as such many succumb to either addiction or an untimely death. Taking strong painkillers can result in respiratory failure, and coronary failure. We have seen this time and time again with celebrities.

The are many representatives speaking on behalf of the Stallone camp insisting that the young Stallone did not drink, or do any drugs. This may suggest that suddenly taking copious amounts of prescription pain medication when the body has no resistance can be even more deadly. 

It is interesting that celebrities spend a lot of time and money on political causes etc. but you rarely hear or see any well known, high profile celebrities addressing drug abuse. When you consider how many of their comrades fall to this deadly problem, it seems shocking to see so little awareness and recognition being addressed by the celebrity community. How many more have to die before celebs decide this is a worthy cause?

Suboxone treatment for addiction to opiates

Image via Wikipedia


There is a drug being administered for the treatment of many addictive pain killers that has some promise. This drug is Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone). Traditionally in the past many drugs used to treat addiction to opiates were harsh themselves such as methodone, and ultimately result in a new addiction that must be dealt with. Those living in South Carolina currently addicted to opiates should know there are a wide variety of treatment centers available, see the *links at the bottom of this article for more information.

Suboxone appears to be different in this regard because it has what is referred to as a built in “ceiling effect” which simply means that even if the drugs dosage is increased, it will not improve the effects which make it very difficult if not impossible to become addicted to. Overdoses that are typically seen that are associated with this treatment are due to the patients use of multiple drug intoxication.

Suboxone competes with heroin or opiate painkillers for the same receptors in the brain, alleviating the withdrawal symptoms without producing a “high.” Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that buprenorphine is effective as an antidepressant. Suboxone comes in both pill and film form and is available by prescription only. Some side effects of the drug are drowsiness, vomitting and respiratory depression. For more information on this treatment, see: Suboxone.
*South Carolina Rehab Information

Related articles by this author:

• A & E's show Intervention takes a look at Norco addiction 
• Recovering addicts and depression during the holidays 
• Addiction to Klonopin 
• Top five articles on prescription drug addiction 

A & E's Show Intervention takes a look at Norco addiction

Image via Wikipedia

Recently the drug Norco was featured on an episode of A & E's popular show Intervention. In this episode,a young addict named Christina was not only addicted to Norco but also crystal meth. Many may not be familiar with the drug Norco referenced in this episode but it is classified as a narcotic pain reliever. Norco contains a combination of acetominephen and hydrocodone, and is subject to abuse if taken inappropriately.

Norco is also known as the following, Anexsia, Co-Gesic, Hycet, Liquicet, Lorcet, Lorcet Plus, Lortab, Maxidone, Norco, Polygesic, Stagesic, Vicodin, Xodol, Zamicet, Zolvit, Zydone. Norco is for moderate to severe pain.

The acetominephen in the drug alone is not a very powerful painkiller however, when combined with hydrocodone it has the ability of increasing the hydrocodones effect. Norco contains the highest dose of Hydrocodone and the lowest dose of acetaminophen.

Prolonged or inappropriate use of Norco can cause physical dependence, and tolerance to the drug can develop. Norco can cause side effects that impair reactions and thought processes. Care should be taken when driving or performing other tasks that require you to be alert. Norco can pass through breast milk and may be harmful to fetuses. The opiate can cause addiction, withdrawal and breathing problems in newborn babies.

A & E Follow Up: Christina

Related articles by this author?

• Recovering addicts and depression during the holidays 
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Oxycontin and why it can kill you

Oxycontin is one of the most popular abused substances currently being taken by users today. Once it arrived in the market place it became a fast growing, recreational drug. Its highly addictive nature alone causes extensive damage that must be addressed quickly to prevent the user from its deadly effects. Unfortunately, like many drugs that enter the marketplace that are supposed to be used to help people manage serious health problems, Oxycontin has become a popular drug to misuse.
What it is:
Street names include:
Killers, OC, OXY, Oxycotton
OxyContin (oxycodone HCI controlled-release) is the brand name for an opioid analgesic (pain reliever) called Oxycodone, which is a narcotic. It is available by prescription only and is used to treat moderate to severe pain when around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time. When used in the correct way with medical monitoring, it is a safe pain management drug choice. However, when abused, it becomes a lethal game of Russian Roulette. Many people experiencing pain become addicted to Oxycontin unknowingly and without knowing the ramifications of using this drug in the  long term.

What doe Oxycontin  it look like?
Oxycontin is available in tablet form in 5 doses: 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160mg.
How is it used?
As pain medication, Oxycontin is taken every 12 hours because the tablets contain a controlled, time-release formulation of the medication. Most pain medications must be taken every three to six hours. Oxycontin abusers remove the sustained-release coating to get a rapid release of the medication, causing a rush of euphoria similar to heroin. The typical way the exterior is removed from the capsule is by shaving it off with a small razor.
The initial short term side effects:
Abusers of this type of narcotic will have these experiences:
Respiratory depression, the most serious initially because it can slow down the heartbeat to a degree it stops beating and death results. Other common opioid side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and weakness.

The more severe long term side effects:
Chronic use of opiates can result in tolerance for the drugs, which means that users must take higher doses to achieve the same initial effects. Long-term use also can lead to physical dependence and addiction -- the body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped. The adaptation of the body to the effects of the drug is what makes is so addictive to the human body that uses the drug recreationally and not for real pain managed by medical professionals.
The addicted user of Oxycontin may resort to other methods of use to get a more intense high. This may include grounding up the pills and snorting them for a stronger "rush" effect. Because the drug itself has been abused by the wrong people for recreational purposes, it has made those with legitimate need of the drug have difficulties in obtaining it. Many pharmacies are even reluctant to store the drug for fear of being robbed of it. Long term use can also result in brain damage if the users breathing stops to the point they must be given respiratory assistance. The human brain is not equipped for extended bouts of oxygen deprivation.
Why this drug is so dangerous
Abusers of Oxycontin can suffer severe and deadly heart attacks, as well as having their breathing slow down to as little as ten beats a minute. The user will many times want to pass out or sleep which can be deadly and the user may not awaken. The chances of a fatality occurring with this drug are enormous.
Intervention is needed by professional interventionists. Many families attempt to have interventions on their own, and do so with out the resources needed for long term successful conclusions. A family that has attempted intervention in the past should reconsider one using professional help.
For more information and support visit: The Addicted Family
 
also visit: Drug Addiction Support

To discuss treatment for you or someone you love, call
1-877-398-4144

Suggested by the author:

• What is Heroin, and why it can kill you
• The enabler
• Addiction to non food items
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• The effects of Crystal Meth on your body

Oxycontin a true pain KILLER

Image via WikipediaOxycontin is one of the most popular abused substances currently being taken by users from every background. Once it arrived in the market place it became a fast growing, recreational drug. Its highly addictive nature alone causes extensive damage that must be addressed quickly to prevent the user from its deadly effects.

What it is:
Street names include:
Killers, OC, OXY, Oxycotton
OxyContin (oxycodone HCI controlled-release) is the brand name for an opioid analgesic (pain reliever) called Oxycodone, which is a narcotic. It is available by prescription only and is used to treat moderate to severe pain when around-the-clock analgesic is needed for an extended period of time. When used in the correct way with medical monitoring, it is a safe pain management drug choice. However, when abused, it becomes a lethal game of Russian Roulette.

What does it look like?
OxyContin is available in tablet form in 5 doses: 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160mg. (However, the manufacturers no longer ship 160mg).

How is it used?
As pain medication, OxyContin is taken every 12 hours because the tablets contain a controlled, time-release formulation of the medication. Most pain medications must be taken every three to six hours. Oxycontin abusers remove the sustained-release coating to get a rapid release of the medication, causing a rush of euphoria similar to heroin.

The initial short term side effects:
Abusers of this type of narcotic will have these experiences:
Respiratory depression, the most serious initially because it can slow down the heartbeat to a degree it stops beating and death results. Other common opioid side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sweating, and weakness.

The more severe long term side effects:
Chronic use of opioids can result in tolerance for the drugs, which means that users must take higher doses to achieve the same initial effects. Long-term use also can lead to physical dependence and addiction -- the body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped. The adaptation of the body to the effects of the drug is what makes is so addictive to the human body that uses the drug recreationally and not for real pain managed by medical professionals.
The addicted user of Oxycontin may resort to other methods of use to get a more intense high. This may include grounding up the pills and snorting them for a stronger "rush" effect. Because the drug itself has been abused by the wrong people for recreational purposes, it has made those with legitimate need of the drug have difficulties in obtaining it. Many pharmacies are even reluctant to store the drug for fear of being robbed of it.

Why this drug is so dangerous
Abusers of Oxycontin can suffer severe and deadly heart attacks, as well as having their breathing slow down to as little as ten beats a minute. The user will many times want to pass out or sleep which can be deadly and the user may not awaken. The chances of a fatality occurring with this drug are enormous.
Intervention is needed by professional interventionists. Many families attempt to have interventions on their own, and do so with out the resources needed for long term successful conclusions. A family that has attempted intervention in the past should reconsider one using professional help.
For more information and support visit: The Addicted Family
also visit: Drug Addiction Support
To discuss treatment for you or someone you love, call
1-877-398-4144