The abuse and diversion of pharmaceutical opiates continues to be a problem in Maine, as it is in many parts of the country. In 2008, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration called the situation “problematic” and said products containing oxycodone are at the top of the list. These diverted drugs are readily available, according to the agency. Oxycodone is included in prescription painkillers including OxyContin, Roxicet and Percocet. Methadone and Suboxone, opiate replacement drugs used to treat opiate dependence, are also diverted and abused often in Maine, according to the DEA.
The main methods of diversion in Maine are doctor shopping, or going from doctor to doctor to get multiple supplies of a drug, forged prescriptions and illicit sale and diversion by health care workers. Employee theft and pharmacy theft are also popular avenues that people employ to get the medication they want. Pharmaceutical opiates smuggled into Maine from Canada also pose a problem in the state. These medications are often available at cheaper prices. The Internet also poses problems throughout the country because many unscrupulous websites sell these drugs with no questions asked. Some people have reported receiving counterfeit or expired medications, or pills that have been tampered with. Just like many other states, Maine participates in a prescription drug-monitoring program. This is a database set up to help prevent and detect instances of abuse and diversion.
Waismann Method
Rates of opiate diversion, abuse, addiction and overdose have increased dramatically across the country in the last several years. The number of people seeking treatment for opiate addiction has also skyrocketed. Waismann Method in southern California has spent the last 10 years successfully treating patients from Maine and other parts of the world with our rapid opiate detox. Our goal is to quickly reverse the physical addiction safely, effectively and with compassion. Our procedure controls withdrawal so effectively that patients don’t have to suffer. The detox takes less than two hours and uses intravenous medication administered while patients sleep lightly under deep sedation. This medication cleanses the opiates from patients’ opiate receptors. This eliminates physical addiction and patients awaken a short time later without the conscious awareness they experienced an accelerated withdrawal. The procedure speeds up symptoms so they develop and pass before patients awaken. They spend a total of 5 to 6 days with us and can return home once discharged or transition in our Domus Retreat aftercare facility.
