All The Addiction Commercials

[ProfessorGAC]

These things are non-stop on nearly every channel i watch. Just this morning, the Hope and Health group ran 2 in the same 20 minute period of Sportscenter, and some other one with a fake doctor ran one. During another commercial i switched to AHC to watch Fact or Fiction and i saw two more in 10 minutes. (Same two outfits.)

Normally i tune them out or switch the channel because i have a feeling they're selling snake oil. But, for various reasons, i didn't today. And i noticed something.

EVERY person in those commercials is white. Every one of them.

So, it got me thinking that the reason why the new heroin and the ongoing opioid "epidemic" is making news is that white people are involved. Now, these people aren't criminals, they are desperate people who need help. Quite a bit different than when crack was brutalizing minority communities and the crackers just thought that meant they were all criminals.

I use the term epidemic in quotes, because now i'd like to see CDC numbers (i'll pull those when i'm not at work) and see if there really is statistically significant change or if it's close to a constant and everyone is worked up because now it's white people who are addicts.

Since i'm a supporter of ending the drug war in toto, (yes, everything legal if 18 or older). i admit to having a jaundiced eye in these matters. But, i don't think it's a coincidence that now we have "Hope and Help" now that it's white addicts and we had jail when it was POC.

[Vinca]

1. It's all about $$$$$. When the rich kids are addicted there's a pot of gold at the end of the road.

I'm sure that's why the cost of the drug that saves their lives when they overdose has gone to Epi-Pen levels. This is keeping with the long American tradition of milking every dime out of sick people.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. That Sounds About Right, Vinca

So, we're agreeing that this is likely snake oil sales?

[Vinca]

6. Yes. That's exactly what I think.

[KittyWampus]

12. rich kids? On Long Island, it is an epidemic and it's not "rich kids".

But the racial aspect is spot on.

[Vinca]

34. You think the "treatment" centers are going to help those who can't pay????

This is just another money-making opportunity.

[KittyWampus]

35. The Human Services people I know are well organized with multiple other groups

to combat the problem.

You want to keep the whole "rich kid" problem, that's fine.

It isn't.

[Vinca]

36. I live in NH, the epicenter of the epidemic.

I also have a relative who works for one of these outfits in a regional, managerial position. Trust me. It's not charity oriented.

[KittyWampus]

39. Human Services isn't charity. It's local, state, county government.

[Vinca]

47. This thread isn't about government agencies, it's about for profit outfits.

[KittyWampus]

60. Thanks for responding. Now I understand what you are saying. Now that there are wealthy families

involved there will be treatment centers for those with money. And thus, the commercials.

[forthemiddle]

57. Exactly

In my lower, and middle class community (that happens to be majority white) the epidemic has arrived. It is killing our community, but it certainly ain't the "rich kids".
All I know is, if these addiction centers help anyone I am all for it, even if it is the white kid!
If, on the other hand, the turn away the minority based on color of their skin, that would be bad.
Heroine is killing so many, it must be stopped!

[MountCleaners]

67. I like how they go back to having jobs

I like how they show the people who have gotten treatment, and they go on to jobs and a successful life. Try doing that when you didn't have much money to begin with.

[lunasun]

2. You are not the only one who has noticed that.

[irisblue]

3. grab those insurance dollars quickly. nt

[Ligyron]

20. Yes, before coverage for addiction, i.e., mental health is gone.

That and those pesky pre-existing conditions and restrictions on charging more for women and older folks. The only people they think are deserving of addiction treatment are the rich ones who can pay out-of-pocket. Let the rest die or go to jail.

This whole drug war is crap and everyone knows it too. If they really wanted to eliminate the majority of problems associated with addiction they could just legalize absolutely everything and then about 90% of those problems would be gone while eliminating a lot of crime in the process.

But, too many institutions have a vested interest in keeping the status quo and most of our population have fallen for the propaganda.

[Foo Fighter]

64. What? Legalize everything? Oh c'mon now.

Just think of how much that would hurt the companies that own the privitazed prisons. Have you no compassion?

OK. I agree on the legalization thing. I've always said "legalize it all and tax it" but I was chatting with someone that I know that works for the ATF and he said if they legalize it, they shouldn't tax it. They would need to keep the prices low enough to keep a black market from springing up. As an example, cigarettes are pretty heavily taxed and there's a HUGE black market for them. So anyway, just some food for thought. But yeah, I'm all for legalizing everything, especially if it will help bring an end to the drug wars.

[Ligyron]

65. That could become a problem.

Even now black market weed is cheaper in Colorado due to the taxes.

[Foo Fighter]

70. Thanks for the info.

I had no idea there was a black market for weed in Colorado. Is the black market weed significantly cheaper than the legal stuff? Also, is there any difference in quality? If you don't know, that's cool. I'm just curious about how competitive the black market is. If it's not much cheaper and/or if the quality sucks, it might not be that much of a concern. OTOH, if it's a lot cheaper and the quality is the same, that could be a big problem. Again, if you don't know, it's not a big deal. I'm just curious about whether or not the issue of black market weed might adversely impact the legalization argument for other states.

[ck4829]

5. I think we'll go to great lengths to avoid a "war" with white people (White myself)

I see a parallel between it being a "war" with minorities and drugs vs being couched in medical terms for white people and drugs and like it also being described as a "war" or "clash of civilizations" when Muslims do something violent vs it being couched in medical terms when a white person does something very similar to what a violent Muslim does ("Oh it's just mental illness" or "Oh he was just lonely because he couldn't find a job or a girlfriend&quot .

It's covert racism, it really is.

[duhneece]

7. Behavioral Health is NOT treated the same as physical health...

Even with a change of law, 'The Wellstone-Domenici Mental Health Parity Act.....Addiction....."Mental health and substance use parity means that benefits coverage for mental health and substance use benefits must be at least equal to that coverage provided for physical health benefits..."

But there's no actual money for substance abuse treatment in our small southwest town ...although there are a few 'half-way houses' that take half the earnings of many guys who have to accept lousy food, black mold in the showers (that grows back as soon as the bleach dries)..."Oh, yeah, you don't like bologna twice a day, well you can always go back to prison".

No parity here, even in the same state Domenici came from. We have lots of heroin addicts and opiate overdoses from both heroin and pain pills. Lots of desperation.

[Warren DeMontague]

8. you know what is proven to reduce rates of opiate addiction? Legalized cannabis.

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-09-15/study-opioid-use-decreases-in-states-that-legalize-medical-marijuana


Beyond that, I think at least some of the hyperbole about the "prescription drug crisis" and the "heroin crisis" is the drug war searching for a rationale as its gravy train dries up.

I suppose it's better that at least some people are taking a more humane approach; too often the "solutions" are inevitably a variation on the same old draconian ones- more jails, a prescription drug "crackdown" which, while it might keep a person or two from getting an unauthorized buzz, will invariably lead to people with legitimate pain needs being forced to suffer or told to do yoga or some shit, the addicts will go to the black market anyway, and some legit pain patients will as well.

What never seems to come up is a thorough revamping of our approach to these issues, starting with the conceit that it's any of the government's business what a consenting adult chooses to do with his or her own body in the first place. What we should be doing is adopting harm reduction strategies and rethinking our entire approach to addiction and "drugs". Certainly, help should be available for people who seek it.

Oh, yeah, and like I said- legalizing weed has been shown to help, too.

[Snarkoleptic]

9. But if they can't sell us as many opiates, that will crater sales of the

opiate-induced-constipation meds. The shareholders will haz a sad.

[Warren DeMontague]

49. I've had enough problems with my teeth to know that there are reasons for pain meds

personally, I'd rather have a doctor who will prescribe them as deemed needed, without living in terror that the DEA is breathing down his or her neck.

Unfortunately these kinds of "get tough" approaches lead to shit like bone cancer patients screaming in agony or being told to do yoga instead of getting palliative care, or worse, you get the guy in the wheelchair sentenced to 25 years in prison for managing his own pain/taking "too many" pills---

So, opiate based pain management has its place IMHO.

Are there instances of overprescribing? I'm sure. But I'm less worried about the profit motive of pharma companies than I am of the DEA searching for an updated rationale for its 20 billion a year budget or whatever.

Especially when the crackdowns just lead people to the black market anyway.

[RobinA]

68. Yeah, This!

I'll know they are serious about dealing with opiate addiction when they start treating people appropriately for pain and TREAT the aftermath of the dependence that may result. "Sorry, no more drugs for you," is not treatment. AND when they provide a safe place to use a safe supply for people who are addicted.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Yes

Like meth (that was initially ignored when they were in denial until the problem shifted to heroin) - when it's "white", it is all of a sudden a "crisis" and "national health problem" that needs to be addressed. When it was "black" (with the same heroin in the '60s and '70s or crack or other free-basing in the '80s & '90s) it was "criminals in crack dens" and "animals" and "savages" who needed to be locked up.

It's remarkable (NOT).

Which just goes to show what many of us have been saying - there are more whites in the U.S. than blacks and thus they are impacted way MORE than we POC are (although the "game" is to use "percentages" to deny the problem and denigrate POC).

[retrowire]

11. I think the race depends on the channel you're watching. Nt

[ProfessorGAC]

26. POC Don't Watch ESPN?

When did that start? POC don't watch the Science Channel?

I'm not buying that argument retro. We know for sure that POC watch those two channels, i watch those 2 a lot, and i see those commercials constantly.

[retrowire]

28. ....not what I meant

Different channels show different commercials catered to different audiences.

That's all I was inferring.

[Mendocino]

30. I remember during Breaking Bad

they would show endless commercials for a drug rehab facility; Malibu something...I was an addict, now I'm not.

[ProfessorGAC]

31. Gotcha

But, as i mentioned, i was watching ESPN. And i see those commercials every single morning, and they're running the same 4 or 5, and therein lies my question. 5 different commercials on an international sports channel and all the addicts are white. Seems odd, is all.

[LanternWaste]

38. Implying rather than infer.

Implying rather than infer.

Imply is to suggest. Infer is to interpret or conclude. Like Throw and Catch.

[retrowire]

41. Thank you for this, sincerely. Nt

[Nitram]

13. If they showed African-American adddicts, they would be dismissed as a "black problem."

[ProfessorGAC]

27. Yep. Where I Was Going.

When it was POC, the solution was prison. Now it's insurance covered rehab. How convenient is that POV?

[Initech]

14. Yeah they pretty much are snake oil salesman.

I have a good friend of mine who's been in and out of rehab the last few years. It's very disheartening to see him go through that. He says he wants to get clean, comes down here, checks in. Then he finishes and goes back to where he lives and starts right back up again. I don't know if it's the wrong treatment or what. But it definitely doesn't work as advertised.

[randr]

15. Addiction rate in Red states is over the top

A case can be made that twitler owes his victory to drug addicts.

[Initech]

40. Bill Maher made this point a couple of weeks ago.

[ananda]

16. I think the rurals and the white-flighters ..

.. have turned to addiction chemicals in big numbers.

This is a different demographic scenario than back in
the day in the inner cities (which are now mostly
gentrified.)

And it's a complete double standard the way the thinking
changes when it's mostly white people now.

[Initech]

22. Places where there's nothing to do but drink or do drugs I'm sure that happens a lot.

Maybe that's why people who live in big cities where there's tons to do don't understand the people who live in rural areas where there's nothing to do.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. Because I don't own a TV I see almost no commercials

so I haven't seen any of these.

And I do wonder if the crisis or epidemic of such addiction isn't at least partially perception. I keep on hearing all sorts of horror stories -- and I clearly understand that any addiction can be horrific -- and I wonder if this isn't a bit like the factoid that people who watch a lot of TV, especially local news, tend to think that crime is vastly higher than it is.

And then I wonder how the show Breaking Bad was so acclaimed since it focussed on a meth dealer, if I have it straight. I did only watch the very first episode and was so appalled by what I saw as its message, that I have not been able to bring myself to watch any of the rest of it.

Anyway, my point is that these commercials, just like all those pushing a drug for some rather obscure disease or condition, doesn't just put everyone in mind that they must have that disease or condition.

[SansACause]

18. It is an epidemic.

It's ravaging the old Confederacy. People in Mississippi are ODing on heroin. Heroin is much cheaper and easier to get than oxycodone these days, so people who started out on prescription opioids are now getting hooked on heroin. It's horrific to watch it happening. And, yes, it is mostly white people, which is why the new mantra is "these are people who need help," instead of "lock them up!"

[Dem2]

23. Yankees too

Here in NH it's touched families that you wouldn't expect. I see it at the bar too - the young ones who went for a "cigarette" and suddenly can't speak in a way that I can understand their words - weed doesn't do that. Kids are dying - people I know though generally don't associate with have lost kids. Yes, they are all white and it's certainly why it's getting the attention of the Republicans who normally could give a crap about millennials dying.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. I'll Acknowledge My Perception Of Epidemic Is Different Than Yours

Not saying mine is right, or mine is wrong. Just different. But, the consensus of this thread seems to be that the saturation level is because this spread of heavy drug use has hit the white community.

Thanks for the affirmation, as your last sentence is nearly exactly what i was trying to convey.

[Ligyron]

29. Yes, we had 7 OD's last week.

The heroin is quite powerful compared to years past and they are often adding Fentanyl, cheaply made Chinese stuff mostly, to kick it up a bit (cause it's even cheaper than the smack). Many times they have no idea the dose they're getting as it's quite variable. That's the main problem right there - no quality control.

I sometimes help at my friend's Kava Bar and it's a problem trying to keep them from shooting up in the restrooms. We actually had to get a sharps container for disposal at closing time. Real pain in the ass.

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch a girl who was nodding and then fell off of her bar stool head first backwards. Good thing she didn't weigh much and that they have those epi-pens around now. It's a real trip watching an opiate high knocked back into reality. Pulp Fiction in real life.

[Iggo]

19. What do you mean fake doctor? He has a stethoscope. A STETHOSCOPE, I tell you!

That one's my favorite.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Well, Silly Me!

So, all a 25 year old guy needs to do to be a doctor is put on a stethoscope. I should have done that 35 years ago!

[Iggo]

32. No shit, huh.

[Sunlei]

21. because -insurance- will pay for treatment instead of the Doctors who knew the billions of tablets

they RXed were addictive. 10,000% profit medicines and thousands of (insured)people in over priced rehab. clinics helps Republicans say "the ACA (law where everyone has health insurance) is not working"

[Ligyron]

33. Good addiction treatment center can at least de-tox opiate addicts safely.

But their "recovery" pretty much involves everyone agreeing to believe in some supernatural entity assisting them. It's usually a 12 step program which could have been gotten free almost anywhere

But, hey- whatever gets you through the night. Now, group therapy in aftercare truly is helpful in aiding folks to cope with their problems but honestly, why they can't just rely on science in life is beyond me. Giving credit to the supernatural for what the folks themselves have accomplished, often with the help of their human friends, greatly diminishes their worth and accomplishments as human being, IMHO.

[ProfessorGAC]

37. A Related Thought On That

Why isn't the supernatural being responsible for the drug addiction in the first place? All powerful being, but only responsibility for the good things? That's pretty convenient, ain't it?

[Ligyron]

42. It is.

People who are otherwise quite sensible in everyday life just throw logic and critical thinking right out the window when it comes to their religious beliefs. That's protected by our Constitution too - the right to believe the most ridiculous nonsense imaginable as long as one calls it their "religion".

But we knew that.

[Mariana]

43. Opiate withdrawal isn't dangerous

but medical intervention can make it a less miserable experience. Withdrawal from alcohol and some other drugs can be deadly, but people don't die from opiate withdrawal. What IS dangerous is the lowered tolerance. If an addict goes off the drugs for awhile, then decides to use again, their bodies can't handle the same dose they were using before and they're likely to overdose. That is the same whether they withdraw on their own or go to a facility to do it.

[Ligyron]

46. Good point.

I lost a really good friend that way too. Dad was a good anesthesiologist. I remember he told us one time, "I studied medicine for more than six years before I started knocking people out and you kids try and do it all the time with no training at all. Besides, I would never try doing it on myself " He had my friend in the best treatment centers available off and on for years. Why couldn't he have just started off slowly when he decided to do junk again? IDK...

Yes, alcohol and barbiturates (back when they were more available) were extremely dangerous to just quit cold turkey. I don't even know if they even make those things anymore.

[RobinA]

69. I Continue To Maintain

that part of drug rehab should include a part about safe use of drugs. Sure, I get that then people will scream that it endorses drug use, but what it really endorses is reality. I don't know how many times I read a story about some 20-something dying of an OD and they JUST GOT OUT OF REHAB. Yep, well known.

On another note, rehab is way too short (thanks insurance) and in some cases it's detox and out. No, you can't detox somebody for four days and then wish them well as they disappear back on the street. Rehab will work better when it is quite a bit longer.

[shrike]

44. I know several people for whom 12-step works

Their view of the "supernatural" varies greatly. One simply places faith in the universe and another finds "a higher power" in nature. None of them are churchgoers, and all are freethinkers. It can work.

[Skittles]

51. hope they are among the 5 - 10 percent success stories

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/23/291405829/with-sobering-science-doctor-debunks-12-step-recovery

[shrike]

53. See below post. n/t

[shrike]

45. I noticed a number of AA bashing articles coming out right about the time I began hearing detox

commercials on the radio and seeing them on TV. I agree it's about the money, but that doesn't mean treatment programs aren't worthwhile.

People have to remember that AA was developed by addicts at a time when there was NOTHING ELSE. No one knew anything about brain chemistry or the science of addiction. AA works for some and not for others. As I said in an above post I know some fairly non-religious people who have made AA work for them. I think it should be a tool, an option, but that addiction research and treatment should continue to expand and build upon itself.

[ProfessorGAC]

48. Fair Enough

I didn't say they weren't worth it. I question the motives of these two non-stop commercial hounds however.

Of course, since there is brain chemistry involved, it takes more than "will power" for lots of people with this problem.

Still doesn't address why these two outfits are advertising their services constantly on every network where they can buy time and the only clients they simulate are white people.

Biggest issue for me is that when there was what was called an epidemic over crack, the solution wasn't to run treatment center ads. It was to put people in jail. But, most of those people weren't white.

[shrike]

54. I'm not saying you don't have a point.

I thought it a little odd myself that right at the time I began hearing commercials for addiction treatment I also began reading AA bashing news stories. Little too much of a coincidence.

OTOH, I guess I'm hopeful that some good can come out of the new scientific approaches.

You ARE absolutely right about the crack epidemic. A retired cop I know once told me said there is no war on drugs. The people who need to be jailed go free, and those who need treatment go to jail.

[Skittles]

56. they started getting bashed when the real stats came out about them

thank goodness there are now more choices than 12 step programs

[shrike]

63. Whatever n/t

[Skittles]

50. scamming for ACA money

[Warpy]

52. The uptick in drug rehab centers having the funding to expand and advertise

is a direct result of the ACA

I think there's very likely a large increase in the number of drug dependent people (and no, I don't conflate them with addicts, they're separate phenomena) thanks to the overprescription of long acting opiates like oxycontin in people who should have been managing their pain with the short acting drugs. You can build a mild dependency on those things in one short week, as a lot of people have found out to their utter horror.

So yes, there is a need out there for detox plus education on how to avoid ending up that way in the future.

I don't think there's a huge increased need for addiction treatment, the per capita number of addicts tends to stay relatively stable.

And I'm with you, end the drug war, the drugs won a long time ago and Nixon resigned in disgrace. It's time to retire his horrible legacy.

[jberryhill]

55. Parental Anxiety and Health Insurance Billings

[malaise]

58. We had this discussion on the weekend

All of a sudden it's a health crisis - it was off to prison for the African Americans on crack.

[MrScorpio]

59. Bingo

A problem is only a problem to fix in this country, using empathy and concern, when it's a problem for white people. Non-whites, who gives a damn?

That's how white supremacy works, and America haz it!

[ProfessorGAC]

61. Thanks for All The Input Folks

This may be the highest number of replies of any OP I've ever done

[superpatriotman]

62. We are handling the crisis mostly wrong

Addicts tend to be recidivists. Having replacements is helpful. Medical pot, for instance. Kratom, for instance.

My best friend got clean, and has stayed clean using those two non-lethal remedies.










New Leaf Kratom Care by New Leaf Products is the latest and strongest capsule to hit the market, I understand it is highly effective and quite a value.

[AngryAmish]

66. Affordable Care act

If you have a job your kids are on your insurance until 27 or so.

Mandatory drug treatment coverage.

These places are optimized to pull every dollar out of insurance companies. I looked into opening one myself.

BTW, if your kids is on drugs rehab is the last place they should go. They just meet more "drug friends". You should move.