National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Shares His Enthusiasm About The New CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker highlights some of the points he finds most important and relevant to pain management in the new CDC guidelines for prescribing opioid.

ROCKVILLE, MD. June 3, 2022: 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 “Newly Proposed CDC Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids,” in which Dr. Rosa heralds the updated guidelines.

As Dr. Rosa points out, “Back in 2016, as the opioid addiction and death rates were climbing higher and higher, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued guidelines for prescribing opioids.” He continues, “Unfortunately, those guidelines were misconstrued as hardline rules for setting medication dose and duration limits and was misapplied by some medical professionals and organizations. So,” Dr. Rosa states, “when an updated guideline was released by the CDC earlier this year, I was anxious to see what changes were made. I’m happy to report, the new guidelines are more clearly set out and leave less room for misinterpretation.”

“As a chiropractor,” Dr. Rosa states, “I, for one, was elated to read in the new guidelines that, “opioids should not be considered as first-line or routine therapy for subacute or chronic pain,” and that the CDC, “points out that non-opioid therapies often are better for many types of acute pain.” He continues, “Additional good news from my perspective: “The draft guideline authors found insufficient evidence to determine the long-term benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain beyond 1 year.” https://www.medpagetoday.com/painmanagement/opioids/97133

Read the entire blog at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises ABC Management, which is comprised of 21 integrative health clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Education:

  • Northeast College of Health Sciences – DC 1992
  • Rutgers University – BS 1989

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Board Chair to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Trustee of Northeast College of Health Sciences for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service.
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions up to 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
  • Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation devise to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals form opioid addiction
  • Medical Advisor – Outreach Recovery – a group of expert clinicians and health care professionals who specialize in substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and psychiatric management. Largest addiction treatment group in the Mid-Atlantic region
  • Chief Science Officer – Get A-Head – a SaaS platform company that provides a telehealth application in training and delivery of mental health care while incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate/Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA, FDA, FBI and U.S. Postal)
  • State, National, and International Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Currently working on PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)

Current Research and Publications:

  • New-Life Solutions – Research medical director for “The H.O.P.E. Initiative for Addiction”
  • Italian Chiropractic Association – Member of the Scientific Research Committee
  • Publication:
    • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
    • “Changes in Opioid Therapy Use by an Interprofessional Primary Care Team: A Descriptive Study of Opioid Prescription Data” by John Rosa, DC and Jeanmarie R. Burke, PhD
    • Published: April 17, 2021

Community Leadership:

  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Lectures to community, corporations, universities and medical community on the opioid and mental health crises have reached over 100,000 people.
  • Production of “BACKBONE” The story of proactive healthcare vs. reactive disease care that was focused on our active and retired military. A documentary by Wellbeing Films
  • Co-Producer of “It’s Happening Right Here” The story of how sex trafficking has infiltrated our country with almost no public awareness
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction
  • Board member – #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement – 501c3 dedicated to delivering resources and programing on better ways to treat mental health other then medication

http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/

Newly Proposed CDC Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids

Back in 2016, as the opioid addiction and death rates were climbing higher and higher, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued guidelines for prescribing opioids. Unfortunately, those guidelines were misconstrued as hardline rules for setting medication dose and duration limits and was misapplied by some medical professionals and organizations. So, when an updated guideline was released by the CDC earlier this year, I was anxious to see what changes were made. I’m happy to report, the new guidelines are more clearly set out and leave less room for misinterpretation.

As a chiropractor, I, for one, was elated to read in the new guidelines that, “opioids should not be considered as first-line or routine therapy for subacute or chronic pain,” and that the CDC, “points out that non-opioid therapies often are better for many types of acute pain.” Additional good news from my perspective: “The draft guideline authors found insufficient evidence to determine the long-term benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain beyond 1 year.” https://www.medpagetoday.com/painmanagement/opioids/97133

While the 2016 guidelines were harmful to patients with chronic pain, cancer, sickle cell disease and those in hospice, they also failed patients who are stable on long-term opioid therapy. And because some organizations followed the guidelines to the letter, some post-surgical patients as well as those with an opioid use disorder were denied access. It was also noted that while the intention of the 2016 guidelines was mainly to stem the drug overdose epidemic, it did not accomplish that objective. It merely drove people to other unethical and illegal outlets for the drugs.

The new guidelines also suggest that doctors and clinicians “should discuss with patients the known risks and realistic benefits of opioid therapy, work with patients to establish treatment goals for pain and function and consider how opioid therapy will be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks.”.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/painmanagement/opioids/97133

My hope is that these new guidelines are helpful in preventing more people from becoming opioid dependent due to prescribing practices that have not considered other therapies for pain relief first. Chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and other therapies can manage pain in many cases if they are suggested by medical professionals. Now, we wait and see how effective the new guidelines will be.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Highlights Shocking And Heartbreaking Suicide Statistics For Mental Health Awareness Month.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker calls for greater and continuous awareness of mental health issues that are more and more frequently leading to suicide.

ROCKVILLE, MD. May 18, 2022: 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 “During Mental Health Awareness Month We Must Address Suicide And Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD).” As an advocate for drug-, and surgery-free pain relief, Dr. Rosa acknowledges the inseparable connection between mental health and substance abuse issues, both of which are currently stigmatized.

Dr. Rosa states, “Mental Health issues have exploded throughout the country during the pandemic. Just about everyone has felt the stress of ongoing life and death concerns related to COVID-19 and its variants.” He continues, “More and more people are crumbling under the pressure and experiencing depression from mild to serious. But some groups of people are more vulnerable to chronic stress than others especially young people and those struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) as well as those who suffer from chronic depression and other mental health issues.”

Dr. Rosa shares the shocking statistics from save.org, writing that, “In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide.”

He then lists the most current statistics:

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans.
Every day, approximately 125 Americans die by suicide.
There is one suicide death in the US every 11.5 minutes.
There is one suicide death for every estimated 25 suicide attempts.
There are approximately 1,149,475 annual attempts in the U.S. (using 25:1 ratio) or one attempt every 27.5 seconds https://www.verywellmind.com/college-and-teen-suicide-statistics-3570768#citation-1
https://save.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

As Dr. Rosa notes, “The statistics are shocking and heartbreaking. We can no longer sweep mental health nor substance abuse under the rug and pretend they doesn’t exist. Both are mainstream problems and are interrelated and must be addressed openly.”

Read the entire blog at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises ABC Management, which is comprised of 21 integrative health clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Education:

  • Northeast College of Health Sciences – DC 1992
  • Rutgers University – BS 1989

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Board Chair to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Trustee of Northeast College of Health Sciences for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service.
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions up to 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
  • Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation devise to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals form opioid addiction
  • Medical Advisor – Outreach Recovery – a group of expert clinicians and health care professionals who specialize in substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and psychiatric management. Largest addiction treatment group in the Mid-Atlantic region
  • Chief Science Officer – Get A-Head – a SaaS platform company that provides a telehealth application in training and delivery of mental health care while incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate/Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA, FDA, FBI and U.S. Postal)
  • State, National, and International Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • ⦁ Currently working on PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)

Current Research and Publications:

  • New-Life Solutions – Research medical director for “The H.O.P.E. Initiative for Addiction”
  • Italian Chiropractic Association – Member of the Scientific Research Committee
  • Publication:
    • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
    • “Changes in Opioid Therapy Use by an Interprofessional Primary Care Team: A Descriptive Study of Opioid Prescription Data” by John Rosa, DC and Jeanmarie R. Burke, PhD
    • Published: April 17, 2021

Community Leadership:

  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Lectures to community, corporations, universities and medical community on the opioid and mental health crises have reached over 100,000 people.
  • Production of “BACKBONE” The story of proactive healthcare vs. reactive disease care that was focused on our active and retired military. A documentary by Wellbeing Films
  • Co-Producer of “It’s Happening Right Here” The story of how sex trafficking has infiltrated our country with almost no public awareness
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction
  • Board member – #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement – 501c3 dedicated to delivering resources and programing on better ways to treat mental health other then medication

www.drjohnrosa.com

During Mental Health Awareness Month We Must Address Suicide And Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD)

Mental Health issues have exploded throughout the country during the pandemic. Just about everyone has felt the stress of ongoing life and death concerns related to COVID-19 and its variants. More and more people are crumbling under the pressure and experiencing depression from mild to serious. But some groups of people are more vulnerable to chronic stress than others especially young people and those struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) as well as those who suffer from chronic depression and other mental health issues.

2020 Suicide Statistics

In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide.
Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans.
Every day, approximately 125 Americans die by suicide.
There is one suicide death in the US every 11.5 minutes.
There is one suicide death for every estimated 25 suicide attempts.
There are approximately 1,149,475 annual attempts in the U.S. (using 25:1 ratio) or one attempt every 27.5 seconds https://www.verywellmind.com/college-and-teen-suicide-statistics-3570768#citation-1: •
https://save.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

We Must Pay Attention

The statistics are shocking and heartbreaking. We can no longer sweep mental health nor substance abuse under the rug and pretend they doesn’t exist. Both are mainstream problem and are interrelated and must be addressed openly.

According to one source, “More than 90% of people who fall victim to suicide suffer from depression, have a substance use disorder (SUD), or both. Depression and substance abuse combine to form a vicious cycle that all too often leads to suicide.” Another sad truth this source reveals is that “Many who experience such severe depression (as a result of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and other conditions) frequently turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other risky behaviors to numb their pain and/or alleviate their negative feelings.” https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-and-suicide/

I sit on the board of #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement (https://samehereglobal.org/). The mission of the movement is to normalize society’s perception of mental health and make it part of our everyday conversation. #SameHere believes mental health lives on continuum and that we are all affected by life’s various stresses and trauma. Every person on this planet, diagnosed or not, is susceptible to this type of system breakdown – resulting in suicide – and we all need to pay attention.

Let’s do our part to help everyone, especially our loved ones who suffer from mental health issues and substance abuse issues. Not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but year-round.

#overdosefreeamerica
#samehere
#5in5

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Writes About 2022 Being Designated As The Year Of Integrative Health.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author, and dynamic speaker, proposes that the confusion about health the pandemic caused has led to the positive effect of people taking greater charge of their health and wellbeing while demanding more holistic and integrative therapies.

ROCKVILLE, MD. May 11, 2022: 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 “The Year of Integrative Health, ” in which Dr. Rosa announces that Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) has declared 2022 the Year of Integrative Health.

Dr. Rosa writes, “Without question, the pandemic has been the cause of tremendous confusion about our healthcare system and medical care in general.” He goes on to add, “As one writer put it, “the pandemic (is) spurring a hunger for answers and options that improve overall wellbeing and prevent serious illness.”

“The good news,” says Dr. Rosa, “is that all the confusion has had a positive effect. It’s led to a shift that has consumers looking for ways to take greater charge when it comes to their health. As a result,” he states, “the demand for holistic, complementary, integrative, and alternative therapies is rising. In fact, recent figures show that nearly 40% of Americans are turning to integrative treatments for their health concerns. This includes nutritional supplements, chiropractic care and meditation.”

Dr. Rosa states, “This is music to my ears for so many reasons. First and foremost,” he writes, “is that greater numbers of people are becoming more attuned to their bodies, and they are demanding a seamless approach to “whole person” care.” He goes on to state, “This is causing a shift in the educational system as well. According to one article, “From University of Miami on the east coast to University of California Irvine on the west, some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious medical schools have added tracks dedicated to natural healing while the number of schools focused exclusively on integrative health and medicine continues to expand. The number of medical schools dedicated exclusively to the practice of integrative medicine is also on rise, like the Whole Health School of Medicine and Sciences recently founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in Bentonville, Ark.” https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/this-is-the-year-of-integrative-health/

Dr. Rosa also addresses the fact that some “forward thinking” insurance companies are also meeting the demand. This, according to Dr. Rosa is why “The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) has declared 2022 the Year of Integrative Health. The time is now to make integrative health an integral component of

Read the entire article at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises ABC Management, which is comprised of 21 integrative health clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Education:

  • Northeast College of Health Sciences – DC 1992
  • Rutgers University – BS 1989

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Board Chair to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Trustee of Northeast College of Health Sciences for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service.
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions up to 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
  • Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation devise to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals form opioid addiction
  • Medical Advisor – Outreach Recovery – a group of expert clinicians and health care professionals who specialize in substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and psychiatric management. Largest addiction treatment group in the Mid-Atlantic region
  • Chief Science Officer – Get A-Head – a SaaS platform company that provides a telehealth application in training and delivery of mental health care while incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate/Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA, FDA, FBI and U.S. Postal)
  • State, National, and International Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Currently working on PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)

Current Research and Publications:

  • New-Life Solutions – Research medical director for “The H.O.P.E. Initiative for Addiction”
  • Italian Chiropractic Association – Member of the Scientific Research Committee
  • Publication:
    • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
    • “Changes in Opioid Therapy Use by an Interprofessional Primary Care Team: A Descriptive Study of Opioid Prescription Data” by John Rosa, DC and Jeanmarie R. Burke, PhD
    • Published: April 17, 2021

Community Leadership:

  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Lectures to community, corporations, universities and medical community on the opioid and mental health crises have reached over 100,000 people.
  • Production of “BACKBONE” The story of proactive healthcare vs. reactive disease care that was focused on our active and retired military. A documentary by Wellbeing Films
  • Co-Producer of “It’s Happening Right Here” The story of how sex trafficking has infiltrated our country with almost no public awareness
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction
  • Board member – #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement – 501c3 dedicated to delivering resources and programing on better ways to treat mental health other then medicatio

www.drjohnrosa.com

The Year of Integrative Health

Without question, the pandemic has been the cause of tremendous confusion about our healthcare system and medical care in general. As one writer put it, “the pandemic (is) spurring a hunger for answers and options that improve overall wellbeing and prevent serious illness.”

The Pandemic’s Silver Lining

The good news is that all the confusion has had a positive effect. It’s led to a shift that has consumers looking for ways to take greater charge when it comes to their health. As a result, the demand for holistic, complementary, integrative, and alternative therapies is rising. In fact, recent figures show that nearly 40% of Americans are turning to integrative treatments for their health concerns. This includes nutritional supplements, chiropractic care and meditation.

The Demand For Whole-Person Care

This is music to my ears for so many reasons. First and foremost is that greater numbers of people are becoming more attuned to their bodies, and they are demanding a seamless approach to “whole-person” care. This is causing a shift in the educational system as well. According to one article, “From University of Miami on the east coast to University of California Irvine on the west, some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious medical schools have added tracks dedicated to natural healing while the number of schools focused exclusively on integrative health and medicine continues to expand. The number of medical schools dedicated exclusively to the practice of integrative medicine is also on rise, like the Whole Health School of Medicine and Sciences recently founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in Bentonville, Ark.” https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/this-is-the-year-of-integrative-health/

Insurance Companies Seeing The Need For Coverage

Some of the forward-looking health insurance companies are already covering the costs of such treatments as acupuncture, mindfulness practice and massage. Chiropractic is covered by most health insurance policies due to its overwhelming evidence-based treatment modalities. The numbers are also in favor of expanding coverage based on a 2018 study in which complementary and alternative medicine users had a lower average expenditure than non-users over a one-year period. 

Health coverage for holistic care is central to ensuring that people have the option of choosing the therapies that are right for them. Without coverage for such treatments, patients may go without, leading to lower patient satisfaction and ultimately higher costs of care.

This Is The Year To Make Integrative Health The Norm

Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) has declared 2022 the Year of Integrative Health. The time is now to make integrative health an integral component of modern medicine.

The AIHM envisions a day when it is no longer acceptable to treat illness using mainstream modalities alone. I see a different way as well, a way that embodies “a synergistic approach that integrates conventional medicine with therapies that take into account each individual’s mind, body and spirit. Integrative health brings together traditional and alternative therapies in a coordinated and complementary way.” I am on board with doing my best to contribute every effort to make this the norm.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Writes About Emotional And Mental Health Issues As The Root Of Drug Addiction And Calls For Compassion.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker expresses his concern for children and young adults exposed to drugs who find comfort in them when they can’t find comfort elsewhere and are then treated as criminals.

ROCKVILLE, MD. April 13, 2022: 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 “Our Children Deserve Compassion Not Criminalization.” Dr. Rosa points out that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at the root of most drug addiction which is not acknowledged nor taken into consideration as part of the problem.

Dr. Rosa states, “Without having personal experience, most people cannot imagine the life of those who live in poverty, those who witness parental abuse, or suffer any kind of physical or sexual abuse.” He continues, “As human beings we all suffer from traumatic events of varying degrees, be it the divorce of parents, death of a loved one, witnessing or experiencing bullying, seeing on social media that your “friends” are always hanging out together, but no one invited you. Everything I’ve mentioned above represents stressors that can cause neurochemical disruption.”

As Dr. Rosa notes, “Early traumatic events in life that result in chronic stress are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs.” He elaborates, “The problem of drug addiction arises when a young person living with stress is exposed to drugs through an injury, a friend, or a search for self-medication, the drug falsely gives them the spike in neuro chemistry that normalizes their world. Imagine the pull one would feel to use again and again and again. The root of most drug addiction is emotional. It’s a mental health problem.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “Everyone doesn’t respond the same way to life’s stressors. Yet instead of having compassion for those who end up depending on drugs for a sense of comfort, we arrest them and consider them criminals. We inflict more abuse and more damage. We fail to acknowledge and address the real issue.”

“If we don’t address mental health and addiction simultaneously,” Dr. Rosa states, “we will never get out of the mess we are in. And as if we didn’t already have adverse childhood experiences at every turn let’s add political hatred, strife in our streets, a deadly virus and war.”

Read the entire blog at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises ABC Management, which is comprised of 21 integrative health clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Education:

  • Northeast College of Health Sciences – DC 1992
  • Rutgers University – BS 1989

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Board Chair to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Trustee of Northeast College of Health Sciences for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service.
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions up to 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
  • Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation devise to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals form opioid addiction
  • Medical Advisor – Outreach Recovery – a group of expert clinicians and health care professionals who specialize in substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and psychiatric management. Largest addiction treatment group in the Mid-Atlantic region
  • Chief Science Officer – Get A-Head – a SaaS platform company that provides a telehealth application in training and delivery of mental health care while incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate/Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA, FDA, FBI and U.S. Postal)
  • State, National, and International Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Currently working on PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)

Current Research and Publications:

  • New-Life Solutions – Research medical director for “The H.O.P.E. Initiative for Addiction”
  • Italian Chiropractic Association – Member of the Scientific Research Committee
  • Publication:
    • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
    • “Changes in Opioid Therapy Use by an Interprofessional Primary Care Team: A Descriptive Study of Opioid Prescription Data” by John Rosa, DC and Jeanmarie R. Burke, PhD
    • Published: April 17, 2021

Community Leadership:

  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Lectures to community, corporations, universities and medical community on the opioid and mental health crises have reached over 100,000 people.
  • Production of “BACKBONE” The story of proactive healthcare vs. reactive disease care that was focused on our active and retired military. A documentary by Wellbeing Films
  • Co-Producer of “It’s Happening Right Here” The story of how sex trafficking has infiltrated our country with almost no public awareness
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction
  • Board member – #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement – 501c3 dedicated to delivering resources and programing on better ways to treat mental health other then medication

www.drjohnrosa.com

Our Children Deserve Compassion Not Criminalization

Without having personal experience, most people cannot imagine the life of those who live in poverty, those who witness parental abuse, or suffer any kind of physical or sexual abuse. As human beings we all suffer from traumatic events of varying degrees, be it the divorce of parents, death of a loved one, witnessing or experiencing bullying, seeing on social media that your “friends” are always hanging out together, but no one invited you. Everything I’ve mentioned above represents stressors that can cause neurochemical disruption.

Early traumatic events in life that result in chronic stress are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. The problem of drug addiction arises when a young person living with stress is exposed to drugs through an injury, a friend, or a search for self-medication, the drug falsely gives them the spike in neuro chemistry that normalizes their world. Imagine the pull one would feel to use again and again and again. The root of most drug addiction is emotional. It’s a mental health problem.

Everyone doesn’t respond the same way to life’s stressors. Yet instead of having compassion for those who end up depending on drugs for a sense of comfort, we arrest them and consider them criminals. We inflict more abuse and more damage. We fail to acknowledge and address the real issue.

If we don’t address mental health and addiction simultaneously, we will never get out of the mess we are in. And as if we didn’t already have adverse childhood experiences at every turn let’s add political hatred, strife in our streets, a deadly virus and war.

Now, let’s top all that off with the greed of drug-dealing cartels that are happy to meet the growing demand for drugs. They are unleashing Fentanyl and its death furry to all 50 states. Last year enough Fentanyl to kill 1.2 billion people was seized at our southern border. That’s enough to kill every person in America 3 times.

Here is a little wake-up call; we lost more people from drug overdose last year than the combined deaths of 36 years of war in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I have never been more concerned for our children and young adults as they suffer through these years. It’s time to help them instead of continuing to hurt them.

Awareness Is The First Step

I have launched the non-profit, Overdose Free America, which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the opioid crisis the visibility and support it deserves. In addition, I sit on the Board of Same Here Global whose mission it is to normalize society’s perception of mental health and make it part of our everyday conversation. Fortunately, these two groups have collided bringing much greater awareness to these interrelated issues. If you have a loved one who has suffered with substance abuse and mental health issues, please check out both organizations. They are here to help.

https://overdosefreeamerica.org/

https://samehereglobal.org/

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Turns His Attention To Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Mental Health, And Substance Abuse.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic brings attention to the suicide death of Kurt Cobain 28 years ago focusing on Adverse Childhood Experiences, chronic stress and abuse that often lead to addiction and suicide.

ROCKVILLE, MD. April 11, 2022: 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 “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) And Substance Abuse Disorders.” Dr. Rosa expresses a need for greater attention to diminishing the stigma of both mental health and addiction disorders.

“This month,” Dr. Rosa writes, “I am turning my attention to unaddressed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the difficulties of stardom at a young age, both of which far too frequently lead to a variety of substance abuse disorders. But,” He adds, “it isn’t just those in the limelight who suffer.”

Dr. Rosa writes, “28 years ago, on April 5, 1994, rock legend Kurt Cobain committed suicide. He was 27. Even though he died of gunshot wounds to the head,” Dr. Rosa states, “most people chalk his suicide up to his addiction to heroin. But,” he emphasizes, “it’s not that simple. The question that is never asked is, “Why was he addicted to heroin?” We don’t inquire as to why do so many people become addicts of any kind. The stigma of drug addiction was alive and well then as much as it still is today.”

As Dr. Rosa notes, “Adverse Childhood Experiences can be found in the background of most people who suffer with addictive behaviors.” He continues, “According to an article published by the national group promoting ACEs science, “The Adverse Childhood Experience Study was released in 1998. It quantified the connection between many childhood experiences and their consequences later in life, but it wasn’t the first study to link child abuse to mental illness, suicide, and drug use. According to Charles Cross’ masterful biography of Kurt Cobain, Heavier than Heaven, Kurt had an ACE score of at least four (divorce, witness to domestic violence, psychological abuse and at least one measure of neglect).” https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/adverse-childhood-experiences-why-kurt-cobain-is-not-the-only-one

Dr. Rosa states, “Let me clarify what those scores mean by continuing with the previous article. “With an ACE score of 4, someone’s odds of using IV drugs are 3900% higher than someone with an ACE score of 0, and their odds of attempting suicide are 1122% higher than someone with an ACE score of 0. Let those numbers sink in; those are actually four-digit numbers, not typos. And as someone’s ACE score increases, the odds of each of those outcomes increases as well. Kurt’s story wasn’t one of personal failure despite societal gifts, but rather one of succumbing to the laws of statistics.” https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/adverse-childhood-experiences-why-kurt-cobain-is-not-the-only-one

Dr. Rosa continues with more information about Mr. Cobain, along with information about how someone who “suffers with emotional stressors over a long period of time those stressors eventually turn into physical changes in health like the stomach pain that Kurt suffered with.” According to Dr. Rosa, “Hurtful memories are permanently stored in our nervous system and when those memories are from severe trauma or repetitive micro traumas it changes our neuro chemistry and eventually our metabolic processes.” He adds, “I was not surprised to find out that Cobain’s biographer, Charles Cross, presents indications that Kurt very likely experienced sexual abuse as a child.” 

Read the entire article at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises ABC Management, which is comprised of 21 integrative health clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating college, professional and Olympic athletes. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Education:

  • Northeast College of Health Sciences – DC 1992
  • Rutgers University – BS 1989

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Board Chair to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Trustee of Northeast College of Health Sciences for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service.
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions up to 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
  • Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation devise to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals form opioid addiction
  • Medical Advisor – Outreach Recovery – a group of expert clinicians and health care professionals who specialize in substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and psychiatric management. Largest addiction treatment group in the Mid-Atlantic region
  • Chief Science Officer – Get A-Head – a SaaS platform company that provides a telehealth application in training and delivery of mental health care while incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate/Consultant
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA, FDA, FBI and U.S. Postal)
  • State, National, and International Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Currently working on PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)

Current Research and Publications:

  • New-Life Solutions – Research medical director for “The H.O.P.E. Initiative for Addiction”
  • Italian Chiropractic Association – Member of the Scientific Research Committee
  • Publication:
    • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
    • “Changes in Opioid Therapy Use by an Interprofessional Primary Care Team: A Descriptive Study of Opioid Prescription Data” by John Rosa, DC and Jeanmarie R. Burke, PhD
    • Published: April 17, 2021

Community Leadership:

  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Lectures to community, corporations, universities and medical community on the opioid and mental health crises have reached over 100,000 people.
  • Production of “BACKBONE” The story of proactive healthcare vs. reactive disease care that was focused on our active and retired military. A documentary by Wellbeing Films
  • Co-Producer of “It’s Happening Right Here” The story of how sex trafficking has infiltrated our country with almost no public awareness
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction
  • Board member – #Same Here Global Mental Health Movement – 501c3 dedicated to delivering resources and programing on better ways to treat mental health other then medication

www.drjohnrosa.com

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) And Substance Abuse Disorders

This month I am turning my attention to unaddressed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the difficulties of stardom at a young age, both of which far too frequently lead to a variety of substance abuse disorders. But, it isn’t just those in the limelight who suffer.

Not Just The Death Of Another Rock Star

28 years ago, on April 5, 1994, rock legend Kurt Cobain committed suicide. He was 27. Even though he died of gunshot wounds to the head, most people chalk his suicide up to his addiction to heroin. But it’s not that simple. The question that is never asked is, “Why was he addicted to heroin?” We don’t inquire as to why do so many people become addicts of any kind. The stigma of drug addiction was alive and well then as much as it still is today.

Adverse Childhood Experiences can be found in the background of most people who suffer with addictive behaviors. According to an article published by the national group promoting ACEs science, “The Adverse Childhood Experience Study was released in 1998. It quantified the connection between many childhood experiences and their consequences later in life, but it wasn’t the first study to link child abuse to mental illness, suicide, and drug use. According to Charles Cross’ masterful biography of Kurt Cobain, Heavier than Heaven, Kurt had an ACE score of at least four (divorce, witness to domestic violence, psychological abuse and at least one measure of neglect).” https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/adverse-childhood-experiences-why-kurt-cobain-is-not-the-only-one

Let me clarify what those scores mean by continuing with the previous article. “With an ACE score of 4, someone’s odds of using IV drugs are 3900% higher than someone with an ACE score of 0, and their odds of attempting suicide are 1122% higher than someone with an ACE score of 0. Let those numbers sink in; those are actually four-digit numbers, not typos. And as someone’s ACE score increases, the odds of each of those outcomes increases as well. Kurt’s story wasn’t one of personal failure despite societal gifts, but rather one of succumbing to the laws of statistics.” https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/adverse-childhood-experiences-why-kurt-cobain-is-not-the-only-one

Fame And Abuse A Lethal Combination

In another article, it is revealed that when he was on the precipice of global fame, Cobain wrote: “I decided to use heroine on a daily basis because of an ongoing stomach ailment that I had been suffering from for the past five years, [and that] had literally taken me to the point of wanting to kill myself. … The only thing I found that worked were heavy opiates.” https://www.inquirer.com/news/kurt-cobain-nirvana-heroin-courtney-love-death-suicide-anniversary-20220405.html

This is relevant because when someone suffers with emotional stressors over a long period of time those stressors eventually turn into physical changes in health like the stomach pain that Kurt suffered with. Hurtful memories are permanently stored in our nervous system and when those memories are from severe trauma or repetitive micro traumas it changes our neuro chemistry and eventually our metabolic processes. I was not surprised to find out that Cobain’s biographer, Charles Cross, presents indications that Kurt very likely experienced sexual abuse as a child. 

Childhood Fame Comes With Intense And Constant Stressors

Living with chronic stress takes its toll. This is seen with child actors as well as with others who achieve fame at a young age as models and musicians. According to a Psychology Today article, “Because of the nature of show business, child actors are often exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sex at an early age. At the same time, young actors must constantly cope with rejection, jealousy, self-scrutiny, obsessive thoughts, and the nonstop need to be perfect.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-trenches/201106/the-child-performer

Mental Health Issues At The Core Of Substance Abuse Issues

Whether in the limelight or not, children under chronic stressful conditions are at high risk of becoming emotionally unstable and of becoming drug, alcohol, or sex abusers. As a country and a culture, we are challenged to take these issues far more seriously than ever before. The stigma associated with drug use and mental health issues is not helpful. I have launched the non-profit, Overdose Free America, which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the opioid crisis the visibility and support it deserves. In addition, I sit on the Board of Same Here Global whose mission it is to normalize society’s perception of mental health and make it part of our everyday conversation. Fortunately, these two groups have collided bringing much greater awareness to these interrelated issues. If you have a loved one who has suffered with substance abuse and mental health issues, please check out both organizations. They are here to help.
https://overdosefreeamerica.org/
https://samehereglobal.org/