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National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Gives Thanks For Two Steps Forward In The Stemming Of The Opioid Crisis

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, tells readers there are at least two events to be thankful for as relates to the opioid crisis.

ROCKVILLE, MD. November 25, 2019: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new blog on his website entitled, “Thankful For Lawsuits And Arrests,” in which Dr. Rosa gives readers a little bit of hopeful news.

As Dr. Rosa points out, “No one will be doing a happy dance despite the fact that the Sackler family is being pursued legally for their role in fueling the worldwide opioid epidemic.” He continues adding, “But, it is a step in the right direction for those of us pursuing alternative non-medical methods of pain management. Not a happy dance, but a definite source of thankfulness.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “This year has seen strides made in creating greater awareness about the crisis, and, for the first time in years, the death rate has gone down just a bit. Nothing statistically significant, but any little bit is good news.”

“Another bit of recent good news,” says Dr. Rosa, “is that an arrest in Virginia has put a pill-pushing doctor out of commission. This medical professional actually prescribed opioids to every patient in his practice.” He emphasizes, “Not just a few, but every single patient according to an article at usatoday.com.” Dr. Rosa points out that,According to the article,” To get drugs… many patients traveled “hundreds of miles, one-way,” waited as long as 12 hours and slept in the parking lot of his office.”

Read the entire blog at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/thankful-for-lawsuits-and-arrests/

About Dr. John P. Rosa

Dr. Rosa is the Owner/manager of 14 health clinics in the Baltimore/Washington DC metro areas concentrating on musculoskeletal injuries of acute, subacute and chronic nature. He oversees the Integrative Medicine practice group which includes general medicine, Chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year.

Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Creator of 24/7 RnR (Relief and aiding Recovery) an FDA approved analgesic cream. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and clinic management.

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years and serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board.

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate/Consultant
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Board service to Maryland University of Integrative Health
Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and
behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
Expert/Speaker – educating primary care, urgent care and hospital medical staff on the
Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain patients

Thankful For Lawsuits And Arrests

By Dr. John Rosa

We’re starting to see a little light in the Opioid Crisis tunnel.

No one will be doing a happy dance despite the fact that the Sackler family is being pursued legally for their role in fueling the worldwide opioid epidemic. But, it is a step in the right direction for those of us pursuing alternative non-medical methods of pain management. Not a happy dance, but a definite source of thankfulness.

Creating Awareness

This year has seen strides made in creating greater awareness about the opioid crisis, and, for the first time in years, the death rate has gone down just a bit. Nothing statistically significant, but any little bit is good news.

Another bit of recent good news is that an arrest in Virginia has put a pill-pushing doctor out of commission. This medical professional actually prescribed opioids to every patient in his practice. Not just a few, but every single patient according to an article at usatoday.com.

According to the article,” To get drugs… many patients traveled “hundreds of miles, one-way,” waited as long as 12 hours and slept in the parking lot of his office.”

So Long Sackler

So, one doctor is no longer in a position to push opioids and the billionaire Sackler family is being shunned by reputable universities, art institutions and businesses around the world. Many of these institutions have been the recipients of endowments and donations in the millions of dollars. Those donations are now being called “blood money.”

According to a related article at usatoday.com, “Petitions at New York University and Tel Aviv University called on the schools to strip the Sackler name from research institutes. A 2018 lawsuit from the Massachusetts attorney general argued that Purdue Pharma used its influence at Tufts University and other schools to promote the company’s opioids.”

For the families who have lost loved ones to opioid overdose and to those who suffer the pain of addiction these may be considered baby steps. But we all know that baby steps are where everyone begins. Bigger, stronger steps are sure to follow.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Talks About The Connection Between Mental Health Disorders And Opioid Use

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, reveals that those with mental disorders receive more than 50% of opioid prescriptions and that opioids actually contribute to mental health problems.

ROCKVILLE, MD. November 15, 2019: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crisis expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new article on his website entitled, “Wake Up To Connection Between Depression And Opioid Use,” in which Dr. Rosa brings awareness to the interconnected nature of mental health issues and opioid use.

Dr. Rosa writes, “Fall ushered in the chilling winds of change along with Depression Awareness and Mental Health Awareness month.” He continues, “As a consultant to local and national opioid task forces, I am aware that both mental health disorders and the opioid crisis are intertwined. Research continues to verify that the use of opioids is very common among people with mental health issues.”

“In fact,” says Dr. Rosa, “according to research, about 16 percent of Americans have mental health disorders. That’s roughly 38 million people. And those with mental health issues actually receive more than half of all opioid prescriptions.”

Dr. Rosa wonders, “How can we help those who suffer from the pain of mental health disorders and addiction to opioids?” He goes on to say that, “Shame keeps people from sharing their illness. The shame associated with mental health disorders has kept millions of people silently attempting to deal with their suffering alone.” He further adds, “However, the silence is finally being broken. Mental health disorders are being talked about by those in the public eye which is helping others who are not so visible feel safer in sharing their secret too.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “Perhaps sooner rather than later, the relationship between the two will become more understood. Of course, awareness is always the first step. Making it your business to become aware of the symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders is a step in the right direction. In fact, if you know someone who is addicted to opioids, you might explore whether that person has anxiety disorders too.”

Read the entire article at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/wake-up-to-connection-between-depression-and-opioid-use/

About Dr. John P. Rosa

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years and serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board.

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate/Consultant
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Board service to Maryland University of Integrative Health
Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and
behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
Expert/Speaker – educating primary care, urgent care and hospital medical staff on the
Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain patients

Wake Up To Connection Between Depression And Opioid Use

By Dr. John Rosa

Mental health and the opioid crisis are intertwined.

Fall ushered in the chilling winds of change along with Depression Awareness and Mental Health Awareness month. As a consultant to local and national opioid task forces, I am aware that both mental health disorders and the opioid crisis are intertwined. Research continues to verify that the use of opioids is very common among people with mental health issues.

Those With Mental Health Disorders Receive More Than 50% Of Opioid Prescriptions

In fact, according to research, about 16 percent of Americans have mental health disorders. That’s roughly 38 million people. And those with mental health issues actually receive more than half of all opioid prescriptions.

How can we help those who suffer from the pain of mental health disorders and addiction to opioids? Shame keeps people from sharing their illness. The shame associated with mental health disorders has kept millions of people silently attempting to deal with their suffering alone. However, the silence is finally being broken. Mental health disorders are being talked about by those in the public eye which is helping others who are not so visible feel safer in sharing their secret too.

Perhaps sooner rather than later, the relationship between the two will become more understood. Of course, awareness is always the first step. Making it your business to become aware of the symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders is a step in the right direction. In fact, if you know someone who is addicted to opioids, you might explore whether that person has anxiety disorders too.

Opioids Feed Mental Health Disorders

Unfortunately there is also compelling evidence suggesting that opioid use can contribute to mental health problems. A 2016 study in the Annals of Family Medicine found that about 10% of people who were prescribed opioids developed depression after a month of taking the drugs. And, the longer they used opioids, the greater their risk of developing depression.

While a person may have been prescribed an opioid for relief of physical pain after surgery or an accident, their mental state may not have been questioned. If you know someone who shows signs of depression, anxiety disorders or other mental health disorders, you may want to keep an eye on them to see if they start exhibiting signs of using opioids. Most people will go to great lengths to keep both of these illnesses undercover as best they can. If you are a parent, spouse or friend of someone you suspect of either condition, do your best to lovingly discuss the topics with them.

Those with mood and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to use opioids than people without mental health problems. They’re also more than three times as likely to misuse opioids.

Winter Is Coming

Winter is known to exacerbate mental health disorders. The winter months are those in which Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are most prominent. Any time is a great time to start paying attention to the behavior of loved ones who may have exhibited or are known to have mental health issues.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Talks About A Recent Book That Brilliantly Exposes Medical Shortcomings Regarding Opioids

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, discusses the lack of education within the medical field regarding how to ween patients off of opioids despite the fact that they are so easily and frequently prescribed.

ROCKVILLE, MD. November 7, 2019: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new blog on his website entitled, “A Medical System That Doesn’t Know How To Put An End To The Pain They Cause,” in which Dr. Rosa tells readers about an important book.

Dr. Rosa poses a big question. He asks, “How do we change an entire medical system?” He continues, “That’s the question that occurs to me when thinking about how our medical schools teach prospective doctors how to prescribe pills but don’t teach them how to help patients get off the pills they are prescribed.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “Our medical institutions are responsible for creating more intense pain than the pain that is caused as a result of physical injury.” He further elaborates, “Doctors easily prescribe addictive opioids. But they have absolutely no idea how to help ween their patients off of the drugs when they are no longer needed for pain control.” He emphasizes, “Thus begins the horrendously painful cycle of addiction.”

Dr. Rosa states, “This is so perfectly illustrated in a recent book I heard about entitled In Pain, by bioethicist Travis Reider, who was prescribed opioids after a motorcycle accident. When he went to his doctor to ask how to get off the opioids, the doctor was stumped. He didn’t have a clue.”

Read the entire blog at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/a-medical-system-that-doesnt-know-how-to-put-an-end-to-the-pain-they-cause/

About Dr. John P. Rosa

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years and serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board.

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate/Consultant
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Board service to Maryland University of Integrative Health
Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and
behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
Expert/Speaker – educating primary care, urgent care and hospital medical staff on the
Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain patients

A Medical System That Doesn’t Know How To Put An End To The Pain They Cause

By Dr. John Rosa

How do we change an entire medical system?

That’s the question that occurs to me when thinking about how our medical schools teach prospective doctors how to prescribe pills but don’t teach them how to help patients get off the pills they are prescribed.

Our medical institutions are responsible for creating more intense pain than the pain that is caused as a result of physical injury.

Doctors easily prescribe addictive opioids. But they have absolutely no idea how to help wean their patients off of the drugs when they are no longer needed for pain control. Thus begins the horrendously painful cycle of addiction.

This is so perfectly illustrated in a recent book I heard about entitled In Pain, by bioethicist Travis Reider, who was prescribed opioids after a motorcycle accident. When he went to his doctor to ask how to get off the opioids, the doctor was stumped. He didn’t have a clue.

In the book’s preface, it states, “The drugs he (Travis) received were both miraculous and essential to his recovery – for a time. But the most profound suffering Travis would endure arrived months after the accident, when he went into acute opioid withdrawal while following his physician’s orders. Over the course of four excruciating weeks, Rieder experienced firsthand, all day long and through the night, what it means to be “dope sick” – the absolute physical and mental agony that is opioid withdrawal. Clueless how to taper off these intensely powerful painkillers, Travis turned to his doctors, who suggested that he go back on the drugs and simply try again later.”

This book joins the voices calling for change within both government and medicine. I hope many people will read it and join the call for change for this insidious epidemic.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Reprints A Letter To Parents From The Director Of The National Institute On Drug Abuse

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, writes about the need to continuously talk to children about the opioid epidemic and to educate them about the dangers in order to prevent more children from becoming another death statistic.

ROCKVILLE, MD. September 30, 2019: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new article on his website entitled, “A Plea To Parents To Educate Children About Opioids,” in which Dr. Rosa talks about the overwhelming pressures children face today and the temptation to “numb out.”

Dr. Rosa states, “When I was a teenager, my parents warned me about the dangers of drinking alcohol before I was 21.” He continues, “They warned me about using marijuana and other drugs. The greatest concern of parents back then was that their kid would become an alcoholic or, through the use of marijuana, would eventually become a heroin addict. Heroin was the deadliest drug and has been until the late 1990’s with the introduction of Oxycontin.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “I constantly appeal to parents to safeguard their children by talking to them about the opioid epidemic and educating them as thoroughly as possible.” He points out that, “Children today are faced with greater stresses than at any other time in history. Social pressures, peer pressure, educational expectations, sexual identity crises and more bombard today’s children. The confusion can be overwhelming if not addressed and the temptation to numb out can be powerful.”

“The proliferation of illegally made drugs – laced with deadly fentanyl – that look like the real deal are flooding the streets,” says Dr. Rosa. He adds, “Children of every age are taking these drugs and overdosing on a daily basis. I am making every effort I can to help parents help their children resist temptation to experiment with any kind of drug.”

“To that end,” writes Dr. Rosa, “I am posting a letter from the Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse directed to parents posted on their website. Sometimes,” he says, “one voice is not enough. We have to hear warnings from multiple authorities before we take them to heart. Hopefully, you can prevent your children from becoming one of the 150 people who die every day from opioids.”

Read the entire article at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/another-plea-to-parents-to-educate-children-about-opioids/

About Dr. John P. Rosa

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years and serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board.

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate/Consultant
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Board service to Maryland University of Integrative Health
Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and
behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
Expert/Speaker – educating primary care, urgent care and hospital medical staff on the
Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain patients

Another Plea To Parents To Educate Children About Opioids

By Dr. John Rosa

When I was a teenager, my parents warned me about the dangers of drinking alcohol before I was 21.

They warned me about using marijuana and other drugs. The greatest concern of parents back then was that their kid would become an alcoholic or, through the use of marijuana, would eventually become a heroin addict. Heroin was the deadliest drug and has been until the late 1990’s with the introduction of Oxycontin.

I constantly appeal to parents to safeguard their children by talking to them about the opioid epidemic and educating them as thoroughly as possible. Children today are faced with greater stress than at any other time in history. Social pressures, peer pressure, educational expectations, sexual identity crises and more bombard today’s children. The confusion can be overwhelming if not addressed and the temptation to numb out can be powerful.

Illegal Drugs Are Running Rampant

The proliferation of illegally made drugs – laced with deadly fentanyl – that look like the real deal are flooding the streets. Children of every age are taking these drugs and overdosing on a daily basis. I am making every effort I can to help parents help their children resist the temptation to experiment with any kind of drug.

To that end, I am posting a letter from the Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse directed to parents posted on their website. Sometimes, one voice is not enough. We have to hear warnings from multiple authorities before we take them to heart. Hopefully, you can prevent your children from becoming one of the 150 people who die every day from opioids.

Dear Parents:

You have probably heard a lot about the opioid crisis in the news lately. But what are opioids, and what do they have to do with you as the parent of a teenager?

If your child has had a sports injury, dental work, or surgery, it is possible that he or she was prescribed a pain reliever that contained an opioid. Opioids can be very effective at reducing severe pain in the short term, such as after surgery, but they can be very addictive, especially if they are misused.

Children and adolescents are at greater risk than adults of becoming addicted when exposed to drugs. Particularly when used in treating children or adolescents, opioids should only be taken to manage severe pain, when no other pain medicine works, and for the shortest time necessary—and most importantly, only while under the careful watch of a trained health care provider.

In addition to opioids prescribed for treating pain, there are powerful opioids sold on the street and used solely to get high, including heroin and illicit fentanyl. These are also highly addictive. All opioids—particularly when misused to get high, when combined with other drugs like alcohol or tranquilizers, or when used for pain without proper medical supervision—can result in deadly overdoses.

While opioid misuse in teens has been going down, the rate of opioid misuse increases significantly after the age of 18, so it is critical to talk with teens early and frequently to protect them from experimenting with opioids as they transition into adulthood. Talking to your kids about drugs may not be easy, but it is important.

Here at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), we developed this guide to help parents talk with their kids. We also have a companion book, Opioid Facts for Teens, that you can share. Sometimes, just beginning the conversation is the hardest part. I hope these booklets can help.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/opioids-facts-parents-need-to-know/letter-to-parents

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Reports Findings Presented At Annual Meeting Of American Academy Of Pain Medicine

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, reveals results of Yale School Of Medicine study indicating that chiropractic care is contributing to a 50% reduction in opioid prescriptions in the U.S..

ROCKVILLE, MD. September 24, 2019: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new blog on his website entitled, “Yale Study Confirms Chiropractic Provides Drug-Free (Read Opioid-Free) Pain Reduction,” which Dr. Rosa is clearly excited about.

“As a chiropractor who is actively and passionately involved in doing everything I can to make a positive impact toward ending the opioid epidemic in this country,” writes Dr. Rosa, “I couldn’t have been more excited with the news that came out of the meeting of the Annual Meeting Of American Academy of Pain Medicine in early June.” He continues adding, “At this meeting the findings of aYale School of Medicine study were presented that reveal “patients who have visited a chiropractor for musculoskeletal pain and associated conditions are currently 49 percent less likely to be issued and to receive an opioid prescription when compared to their counterparts who sought help from other healthcare providers.”

Dr. Rosa says, “According to the announcement, “The Yale researchers selected a series of studies with a total of more than 60,000 patients to include in their analysis which was supported by the NCMIC Foundations, among several other organizations.” According to Dr. Rosa, “The upshot of this study means that chiropractic care is contributing toward a 50% reduction in opioid prescriptions issued in this country.”

Read the entire blog at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/yale-study-confirms-chiropractic-provides-drug-free-read-opioid-free-pain-reduction/

About Dr. John P. Rosa

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years and serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board.

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate/Consultant
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Board service to Maryland University of Integrative Health
Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and
behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
Expert/Speaker – educating primary care, urgent care and hospital medical staff on the
Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain patients

Yale Study Confirms Chiropractic Provides Drug-Free (Read Opioid-Free) Pain Reduction

By Dr. John Rosa

Chiropractic Care Reduces Need for Opioids

As a chiropractor who is actively and passionately involved in doing everything I can to make a positive impact toward ending the opioid epidemic in this country, I couldn’t have been more excited with the news that came out of the meeting of the Annual Meeting Of American Academy of Pain Medicine in early June. At this meeting the findings of a Yale School of Medicine study were presented that reveal “patients who have visited a chiropractor for musculoskeletal pain and associated conditions are currently 49 percent less likely to be issued and to receive an opioid prescription when compared to their counterparts who sought help from other healthcare providers.”

According to the announcement, “The Yale researchers selected a series of studies with a total of more than 60,000 patients to include in their analysis which was supported by the NCMIC Foundations, among several other organizations.” The upshot of this study means that chiropractic care is contributing toward a 50% reduction in opioid prescriptions issued in this country.

Driving Down Opioid Prescriptions

We are getting closer to getting a handle on the opioid crisis and driving down opioid prescriptions. Currently, clinical guidelines in the U.S. now recommend many non-pharmacological options, including chiropractic care, to be considered as ‘front line’ treatments ahead of any medication, including opioids. It has been shown that Chiropractors, specifically, provide many of the treatments currently advised by clinical guidelines for the initial care of lower back and neck pain, as well as osteoarthritis of the hips, knees, and hands, which may otherwise be treated with opioid medication. Don’t just accept a prescription for pain without asking for alternative.

A Chiropractic physician is the perfect gatekeeper to use non-drug and non-surgical approaches to treat pain. Most medical doctors are finally understanding the importance of using chiropractic and physical therapy before prescribing opioids. If you’re doctor isn’t there yet, you can see a chiropractor without a referral from your primary physician and chiropractor visits are covered by a majority of health insurance plans.