The #1stresponder Becoming an Accidental Adddict

By Dr. Maryann Rosenthal, Ph.D.

Today, millions of Americans suffer with all kinds of physical concerns that cause them serious pain. They are in need of pain management to help them function and are often prescribed appropriate medications to help them cope and manage their condition. However, because these drugs are so powerful and their need so great, bodies can build up a tolerance for the medications.  They then need more of the drug to obtain the same effect. Eventually they can become overly dependent on these drugs, which can have a very negative effect on their quality of their life.

Prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastest-growing drug problem and the “Accidental Addict” can happen to all ages and in all lifestyles especially first responders.  According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009, more than 5 million Americans misused prescription painkillers in a one-month period. “Daily, 50 people in our nation die from unintentional prescription opioid overdoses and daily, 20 times that number are admitted to hospital emergency departments for opioid overdoses,” said John Eadie, director of the Prescription Monitoring Program Center of Excellence at Brandeis University. As outrageous as that sounds, a huge majority – more than 70% of those prescriptions were from friends and relatives.

There are many reasons for the rapid and growing abuse of prescription drugs. One is how easily accessible the drugs are from doctors, family and friends.  The other is the diminished perception of risk while taking these legal drugs.  After all, many times these drugs are prescribed for real pain and unfortunately, patients are not always good consumers and do not question their doctors when addictive medications are prescribed.  Doctors tell patients to “get ahead of the pain – if you wait, it will take longer to manage your pain.”  So your brain sends a signal that the pain is coming and you need to be prepared.  Better take another pill. And the cycle of abuse begins. These factors all add to the epidemic and deadly problem of prescription drug abuse in our Nation today. 

Officer Survives Suicide Attempt... Contacts Safe Call Now

Safe Call Now & Shine the Light

OFFICER ATHLETE SURVIVES SUICIDE AND TURNS HIS STORY INTO A CAUSE
5k Run and Multi-Race event to raise awareness for mental health issues facing law enforcement.

Agent Doug Monda never saw it coming. In his 15-years as a police officer, SWAT cop, drug agent, lifelong athlete and adrenaline junkie, he was the last person to see what nearly cost him his life. In 2014 Monda was a trigger pull away from taking his own life. “I couldn’t escape the pain. I was so tired of being in pain, physically and mentally and no one could tell me anything or show me anything that could make it go away,” Monda said during a lengthy conversation about why he is now speaking out. “Ultimately, in my mind, at that point, the only way I could be pain free was to leave.” But fortunately for Monda his coworkers and close friends, including Chief Mike Cantaloupe, intervened through a program called Safe Call Now. “That’s what we did. We contacted them and these people from out of state across the country came out of nowhere to help me,” Monda added. 

“They’re there. You just have to ask for help. This is why I am speaking publicly. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through.”

Agent Monda now uses his athletic ability and passion for law enforcement to draw attention to the cause. His sponsor, MultiRace LLC, is helping him put on an inaugural 5K in Cocoa Village. The Shine the Light 5K is scheduled for Saturday May 21st at 7:30 p.m. The start and finish for the race will be at Riverfront Park in downtown Cocoa. According to Monda, police patrol vehicles will line portions of the course and select organizations representing mental wellness, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and others will be set up in the park providing information. 

The following day, MultiRace will host the 2016 Tri Cocoa Village Sprint and Olympic Triathlon at the same location. “It’s all about awareness and knowing there is help available if you just ask for it,” Monda said. “I am so grateful for the people who helped save my life and I want others to see that if I can make it, they can too.”

For more information or to register for the events go to www.multirace.com.