April 2005
PRESS RELEASE
Ten
Things Teens and Their Families Should Know
About the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers
Waismann Foundation's Drug Awareness Campaign Offers Timely Advice for Parents on the Risks of Opiate Dependency
BEVERLY
HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2005--The
Waismann Method today released "Ten Things
Teens and Their Families Should Know about
the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers," in
response to the study released by the Partnership
for a Drug-Free America stating that one in
five teenagers has abused a prescription
painkiller.
As the number of opiate dependencies in the
U.S. continues to rise, it is critical that
parents are armed with the right information
to educate their teens on the dangers associated
with prescription painkiller
abuse, and are
also able to recognize the telltale warning
signs of abuse, according to Dr. Clifford A.
Bernstein, medical director for the Waismann
Method and specialist in chronic pain management
and opiate dependency.
"Teens and children are being introduced to recreational
use of prescription painkillers at a much younger
age than most would expect and are gaining easier
access to them," said Bernstein. "However,
once they become aware of the consequences,
they can make more intelligent, informed decisions."
According to Bernstein, prescription drugs can
easily make their way into and out of households
and taking the time to talk to family members
about the dangers of prescription painkillers
could be a preventative measure that lasts a
lifetime.
Dr. Bernstein offers parents the following advice:
1. Face the Facts. Denial can prevent you from
recognizing a real problem at home. Among youths
and adults, non-medical use of prescription
painkillers ranked second only to marijuana in illicit drug
use according to the 2002 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health.
2. Acknowledge It's All Relative. Legal or not,
prescription painkillers are just as harmful
as street drugs. Prescription
painkillers like
Oxycodone are synthetic (man made) opiates, the
family of drugs from which heroin is derived.
3. Keep an Eye Out for the Graduate. Children
as young as 13-15 years old can easily graduate
from abusing Oxycontin (a legal opiate drug)
to abusing heroin (an illegal opiate drug). The
two drugs have similar effects, therefore attracting
the same abuse population.
4. Leverage What's Newsworthy. Take advantage
of incidents in the news to talk to your family
about painkillers. Recently, a teen in Texas
was sentenced to probation for providing the
painkillers to a friend that died from a resulting
overdose. Making an example of a story like this
helps to discourage teens from trying drugs.
5. Don't Assume It Can't Be You. You're not necessarily
in the clear if your teen is head cheerleader
or the class president. Not all kids who abuse
prescription drugs are dark, depressed, and troubled.
Drug use has become increasingly frequent among
a variety of groups of young people.
6. Beware of Emotional Rollercoasters. Changes
in a person's normal behavior can be a sign of
dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and concentration
may occur as everyday responsibilities become
secondary to the need for the relief the prescription
provides. Other signs to look for are social
withdrawal, desensitized emotions (indifference
or disinterest in things that previously brought
them pleasure) and increased inactivity.
7. Watch Out for Going Grunge. Personal hygiene
may diminish as a result of a drug addiction.
Significant weight loss may occur, and glazed
eyes may indicate an underlying problem.
8. Become a Micro Manager. If your teen is prescribed
a pain-relieving medication, closely monitor
the dosage and frequency the drug is ingested.
Also, if you or your spouse is prescribed a prescription
painkiller, be sure to keep it out of your children's
reach and dispose of any extras once you no longer
need it.
9. Play it Smart. Listen carefully when your
doctor or pharmacist gives instructions for a
drug for a family member. Provide your doctor
with a complete medical history so he or she
is aware of other medications being taken and
can prevent a negative interaction. Finally,
never increase dosage or the frequency of taking
a medication without consulting your physician.
10. Trust Your Instincts. If you suspect that
a family member is abusing prescription drugs,
consult his or her doctor or seek professional
help right away. Medical professionals can refer
you to treatment programs but the most important
thing is to seek help in a timely matter.
For more information on The Waismann Method or
opiate dependency, visit www.opiates.com.
For more information, please 
call (310) 205-0808 or (888) 987-HOPE or 
send us a confidential email.
About the Waismann Method
Drs. Clifford A. Bernstein and Michael Lowenstein
use the exclusive Waismann Method of Neuro-Regulation
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 experience no conscious withdrawal, and
will be able to return home within days. 75 percent
of the prescription drug dependent patients who
are treated with the Waismann Method remain drug
free after one year. The Waismann Foundation, founded
by Clare Waismann, is headquartered in Beverly
Hills, Calif.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Formula
Rachel Kay, 619-234-0345
kay@formulapr.com
