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National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Brings Attention To The COVID-Caused Growing Mental Health And Addiction Issues.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker calls for collective attention to the vulnerable youth and others struggling with mental health and drug addiction issues exacerbated by the COVID pandemic and provides professional studies and opinions that predict these issues will define an entire generation.

ROCKVILLE, MD. March 31, 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 “How Will We Collectively Address The Growing Mental Health And Addiction Issues,” in which Dr. Rosa expresses a need for greater attention.

Dr. Rosa states, “Even though we may feel that it’s safe to venture out into the world again, as COVID-19 and its variants seem to be frittering out, the results of this global pandemic will be felt for a long time to come.” He continues, “Mental health issues are widespread, with the CDC revealing that “about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression compared to one in 10 adults who reported between January and June of 2019.” Experts around the world,” Dr. Rosa acknowledges, “are concerned for the young people growing up in the pandemic and post-pandemic environment.”

Dr. Rosa expresses concern “about how we, collectively are going to address and help those who are suffering now and those who are sure to suffer later in ways we cannot yet anticipate or imagine.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “In a recent article, “a consultant clinical psychologist in the U.K. working with adults and children, told CNBC that he believes it will take “at least a generation” to resolve the damage to many young people caused by missed milestones and experiences crucial for development.” He continues, “According to the consultant, Alex Desatnick, “Kids who grew up in this state, in this condition, and those things that they were deprived of, they will take this with them through life.” He adds, “I hope that as a society we will do as much as we can to compensate for what happened to them and is still happening.” https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/10/covid-pandemic-mental-health-damage-could-last-a-generation.html

As Dr. Rosa points out, “Many psychologists and psychiatrists have reported an inability to help the influx of people seeking mental health support during the pandemic. One psychologist working in New York said, “There’s definitely a huge mental health impact from a long period of uncertainty and change that’s left people very isolated and not sure how to connect. That created a big pressure cooker, especially for people who already have a vulnerability.”

Read the entire article at: link here

About John P. Rosa

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

How Will We Collectively Address The Growing Mental Health And Addiction Issues

Even though we may feel that it’s safe to venture out into the world again, as COVID-19 and its variants seem to be frittering out, the results of this global pandemic will be felt for a long time to come. Mental health issues are widespread, with the CDC revealing that “about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression compared to one in 10 adults who reported between January and June of 2019.” Experts around the world are concerned for the young people growing up in the pandemic and post-pandemic environment.

I am concerned about how we, collectively are going to address and help those who are suffering now and those who are sure to suffer later in ways we cannot yet anticipate or imagine.

How Will A Generation Weaned On Uncertainty Find Its Strengths

In a recent article, “a consultant clinical psychologist in the U.K. working with adults and children, told CNBC that he believes it will take “at least a generation” to resolve the damage to many young people caused by missed milestones and experiences crucial for development.” According to the consultant, Alex Desatnick, “Kids who grew up in this state, in this condition, and those things that they were deprived of, they will take this with them through life.” He adds, “I hope that as a society we will do as much as we can to compensate for what happened to them and is still happening.” https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/10/covid-pandemic-mental-health-damage-could-last-a-generation.html

The same article talks about numerous studies that have been conducted throughout the world on the impact COVID has had on mental health. One study looked at the global prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. It found that “mental health dramatically declined in that year, with an estimated 53 million additional cases of major depressive disorders and 76 million additional cases of anxiety disorders seen globally. Women and younger people were found to be affected more than men and older adults.”

Many psychologists and psychiatrists have reported an inability to help the influx of people seeking mental health support during the pandemic. One psychologist working in New York said, “There’s definitely a huge mental health impact from a long period of uncertainty and change that’s left people very isolated and not sure how to connect. That created a big pressure cooker, especially for people who already have a vulnerability.”

One Grassroots Organizations Is Doing Its Best To Reach And Help The Vulnerable

I am actively involved in the grassroots organization Same Here Global, dedicated to normalizing the conversation around mental health issues. The organization is founded on the knowing that “Everyone in the world is affected by life’s inevitable traumas and stresses. We can’t escape them, as they are part of the human experience, and they impact us on many levels. Mental health exists on a continuum, with some simply experiencing more severe declines than others over varying periods of time in their lives (and/or being more genetically predisposed to such declines.)” https://samehereglobal.org/
We are all in this together and together we will be facing the results of this devastating period which has been the cause of so much unprecedented change and uncertainty. I know that we human beings are capable of growing stronger through facing our fears and our uncertainties. I am betting on that strength and calling on everyone to dig deep and find theirs and help the most vulnerable ones in your lives.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Provides An Article To Help Educate Parents How Drugs Are Accessed Through Social Media.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker turns his attention to helping parents get smart about how social media is used to communicate about and sell drugs to the young and vulnerable.

ROCKVILLE, MD. March 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 blog on his website entitled “Parents Must Get Social-Media Smart To Help Teens Avoid Drugs.” Dr. Rosa posts an article he considers important for parents informing about the role social media plays in drug communications and sales.

“Let’s face it,” Dr. Rosa states, “as parents we are never going to outsmart teenagers when it comes to social media.” He continues, “They’ve come into the world pre-programmed to navigate the digital world. However, when it comes to teens and drug use, it’s important for parents to know that social media often plays a huge role in introducing kids to drugs.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “I came across an article recently that I think every parent should read in order to understand how social media promotes drug use and how to protect the children from getting ensnared.” He adds, “I am reposting most of the article, but there is a section I suggest you go to the site to see. It includes popular emojis used when communicating about specific drugs and those who deal them.”

Dr. Rosa emphasizes, “We must do everything we can to help our kids avoid drug use and addiction. We can only do that if we know how they are communicating on social media.”

Dr. Rosa encourages parents to “Check out a few popular emojis people use when communicating about drugs via text at the very end of the article by clicking here: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drug-use-internet-social-media”

Read the entire blog at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Leader in Chiropractic

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Current Vice Chair of the Board 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 medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation device to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals from 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

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently co-producing PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

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
Co-Producer 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 than medication

###

Parents Must Get Social-Media Smart To Help Teens Avoid Drugs

Let’s face it, as parents we are never going to outsmart teenagers when it comes to social media. They’ve come into the world pre-programmed to navigate the digital world. However, when it comes to teens and drug use, it’s important for parents to know that social media often plays a huge role in introducing kids to drugs.

I came across an article recently that I think every parent should read in order to understand how social media promotes drug use and how to protect the children from getting ensnared. I am reposting most of the article, but there is a section I suggest you go to the site to see. It includes popular emojis used when communicating about specific drugs and those who deal them.

We have to do everything we can to help our kids avoid drug use and addiction. We can only do that if we know how they are communicating on social media.

Social Media: Understanding A Teen’s World

Through different hashtags (#s) they can be exposed to offers from dealers to buy drugs through various social sites.

It is never too late for parents to get acquainted with the various social apps (applications), and the slang terms many of them use to communicate while texting and using social media.

Some popular ones include:

Instagram (app where users share photos and videos)
Snapchat (app where users can create and share photos, videos. The content is meant to disappear after the person views them)
TikTok (a social network where users can create and share videos)
Tumblr (users can post photos, videos, gifs and more in a microblogging format)
Twitch (app where users can livestream themselves playing video games and interact with viewers)
YouTube (users can create and watch videos)

Did you know?

These apps are free to download from app stores.
Kids are often one step ahead of their parents in the latest privacy settings, allowing them to block you from viewing their activity, be on private, and hide their friends lists
On average, teens spend more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen (outside of schoolwork)

How do you help a child develop skills to make good choices? Ensure they use their online privileges wisely? Avoid inappropriate behavior or inaccurate information?

Talk to your teen about the implications of their actions when using the internet and social media.
Monitor what they do online and on the phone by learning about the websites and mobile apps they use.
Block inappropriate content by using parental control features to monitor and manage your teen’s computer use. Buy parental control software that allows you to view recorded computer, smartphone and tablet activity from the internet.
Learn about the slang and emojis that kids use while texting on their phones, posting on social media, or DMing (direct messaging) other users.

Check out a few popular emojis people use when communicating about drugs via text at the very end of the article by clicking here:

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drug-use-internet-social-media

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Writes About Pharmacists Becoming Actively Involved In Helping Identify Patients With Substance Abuse Disorders And Mental Illness.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker reports on the urgency surrounding the pandemic related increase of SUDs and mental health issues and how pharmacists have collectively agreed to provide a second-tier of care.

ROCKVILLE, MD. February 22, 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 “Pharmacists Now Engaged In Identifying Those At Risk For SUDs And Mental Illness.” Dr. Rosa acknowledge that, “The more we can help the at-risk population today, the less dramatic the consequences later.”

Dr. Rosa writes, “As the pandemic drags on, now with the omicron variant taking hold, mental health issues and substance abuse disorders (SUDs) continue to grow.” He elaborates, “The longer this continues, the more critical the need to be more alert to who may be vulnerable to developing new or deepening mental health issues that may lead to harmful behaviors including dependencies on drugs and alcohol.” According to Dr. Rosa, “This topic took center stage at last year’s annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.”

Dr. Rosa states, “During the meeting, as reported in Pain Medicine News, two strategies were emphasized: “stepped-up screening to identify at-risk patients, and medication management.” As the article explained, “This puts pharmacists in an important position to serve as a “second tier of care” for this vulnerable patient population.” https://www.painmedicinenews.com/Online-First/Article/01-22/Pharmacists-More-Watchful-for-Signs-of-Opioid-Use-Disorder-During-Pandemic

“While the death rates due to COVID-19 are startling,” says Dr. Rosa, “what’s more staggering is the number of children whose lives have been turned upside down. The number of children who have lost parents and caregivers is so great that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in children’s mental health.”

As Dr. Rosa points out, “140,000 children lost a caregiver during the pandemic, and these were disproportionately children of color.” He adds, “Rates of depression, anxiety, trauma and loneliness also have increased, with, for example, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts rising 51% among girls 12 to 17 years of age in early 2021, compared with early 2019.”

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 athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.
Leader in Chiropractic
Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.
Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Current Vice Chair of the Board 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 medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation device to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals from 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

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently co-producing PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

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
Co-Producer 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 than medication

###

Pharmacists Now Engaged In Identifying Those At Risk For SUDs And Mental Illness

As the pandemic drags on, now with the omicron variant taking hold, mental health issues and substance abuse disorders (SUDs) continue to grow. The longer this continues, the more critical the need to be more alert to who may be vulnerable to developing new or deepening mental health issues that may lead to harmful behaviors including dependencies on drugs and alcohol. This topic took center stage at last year’s annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

During the meeting, as reported in Pain Medicine News, two strategies were emphasized: “stepped-up screening to identify at-risk patients, and medication management.” As the article explained, “This puts pharmacists in an important position to serve as a “second tier of care” for this vulnerable patient population.” https://www.painmedicinenews.com/Online-First/Article/01-22/Pharmacists-More-Watchful-for-Signs-of-Opioid-Use-Disorder-During-Pandemic

140,000 Children Have Lost At Least One Caregiver

While the death rates due to COVID-19 are startling, what’s more staggering is the number of children whose lives have been turned upside down. The number of children who have lost parents and caregivers is so great that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in children’s mental health.

140,000 children lost a caregiver during the pandemic, and these were disproportionately children of color. Rates of depression, anxiety, trauma and loneliness also have increased, with, for example, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts rising 51% among girls 12 to 17 years of age in early 2021, compared with early 2019.

Children are not the only ones being affected. Adults too are feeling the strain. According to a CDC (Centers for Disease Control) report, “said 70% of parents or caregivers reported adverse mental health symptoms during the pandemic. Of those, 55% reported anxiety or depression, 54% reported COVID-19–related trauma and 32% experienced serious suicidal thoughts”. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7024a3.htm

How Pharmacists Can Help

In addition to stepped-up screening efforts, pharmacists can help optimize mental health and SUD treatment by providing consultations on therapeutic drug monitoring, conversions to and from long acting injectables, and by making other changes to treatment plans already in place. For instance, if someone is on lithium, pharmacists can help providers determine who is an appropriate candidate to forgo labs, and what signs and symptoms of toxicity they should be looking for in those patients and how to educate patients to look for and recognize those signs as well.

As the pandemic lingers, experts and medical professionals have been seeing individuals with undiagnosed mental health challenges or substance use issues present with more severe behaviors during the pandemic than they previously would have. So, instead of diagnosing someone as a patient with potentially problematic substance use or substance misuse, they may jump right to a diagnosis of substance use disorder or a mental health disorder.

We Need Every Professional Touch Point Covered

We are all in this together. The more we can help the at-risk population today, the less dramatic the consequences later. We know, without question, that even decades after this pandemic has been forgotten, the devastation will be evident in the lives of those most affected today.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Reveals Pre-Pandemic Study Results Showing The Most Likely Patient To Overdose.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker speaks to pre-pandemic vulnerabilities to drug overdose revealed in a recent study while suggesting that post-pandemic studies will likely reveal very different results.

ROCKVILLE, MD. February 17, 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 “Which Pain Patients Are Most Likely To Overdose.” Dr. Rosa emphasizes that the information he provides in his blog is pre-pandemic.

Dr. Rosa states, “In one of my go-to sources, I read about a very recent study published in JAMA that “looked at almost 237,000 patients in Oregon who filled a prescription for opioids for the first time in 2015 and followed those patients until the end of 2018 to determine which patients were most vulnerable to fatal or non-fatal opioid overdoses.” https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/the-pain-patients-most-likely-to-overdose-on-opioids

He writes, “Let’s keep in mind that this information pre-dates the pandemic. And,” continues, “even though attention has shifted to focus on pandemic-related deaths, the fact is that overdose deaths rose 30% in 2020. That means that 100,000 Americans died of opioid overdose just during the first year of the pandemic.”

“So, prior to the pandemic, who were the most vulnerable to overdoes according to the study?” he asks. “Surprisingly,” he reveals, “the patient who is most vulnerable to overdose, according to this study, is a black male aged 75 or older who lives in a rural area, has comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions, Medicaid and/or Medicare Advantage insurance, who is prescribed long-acting tramadol at a high dose for more than 7 days.” https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/the-pain-patients-most-likely-to-overdose-on-opioids

According to Dr. Rosa, “The sad truth is that people of all ages, all ethnicities, all economic groups, with or without a psychiatric history or medical comorbidities, who are prescribed any of the opioids are vulnerable to addiction and overdose. More than 800,000 people, loved ones, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers have experienced fatal overdoses.”

Read the entire blog at: link here

About John P. Rosa

Current Vice Chair of the Board 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 medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation device to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals from 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

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently co-producing PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

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
Co-Producer 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 than medication

###

Which Pain Patients Are Most Likely To Overdose

In one of my go-to sources, I read about a very recent study published in JAMA that “looked at almost 237,000 patients in Oregon who filled a prescription for opioids for the first time in 2015 and followed those patients until the end of 2018 to determine which patients were most vulnerable to fatal or non-fatal opioid overdoses.”

https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/the-pain-patients-most-likely-to-overdose-on-opioids

Let’s keep in mind that this information pre-dates the pandemic. And, even though attention has shifted to focus on pandemic-related deaths, the fact is that overdose deaths rose 30% in 2020. That means that 100,000 Americans died of opioid overdose just during the first year of the pandemic.

So, prior to the pandemic, who were the most vulnerable to overdoes according to the study? Surprisingly, “the patient who is most vulnerable to overdose, according to this study, is a black male aged 75 or older who lives in a rural area, has comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions, Medicaid and/or Medicare Advantage insurance, who is prescribed long-acting tramadol at a high dose for more than 7 days.”

https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/the-pain-patients-most-likely-to-overdose-on-opioids

The sad truth is that people of all ages, all ethnicities, all economic groups, with or without a psychiatric history or medical comorbidities, who are prescribed any of the opioids are vulnerable to addiction and overdose. More than 800,000 people, loved ones, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers have experienced fatal overdoses.

Another sad truth that the medical establishment is choosing to ignore is that alternatives to these risky drugs exist. I’m talking about chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, mind/body approaches, and physical therapy. The fact is they are rarely considered and even more rarely used. This despite the fact that many governmental and nongovernmental organizations have developed guidelines that recommend use of nonpharmaceutical therapies first, and use of opioids as a last resort.

I imagine the next study that looks at drug overdose during the pandemic years will paint a very different picture. I think we’ve already seen that the pain of isolation and uncertainty literally drives people to drug use and abuse.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa
Calls For Compassion For Addiction Rather Than Fear And Loathing.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker shares several insights about addiction that may spark greater compassion for addiction among those who are not addicts.

ROCKVILLE, MD. January 27, 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 “We Must Turn Our Fear And Loathing For Addiction Into Compassion,” in which he anticipates the day when people in general have greater compassion for the disease of addiction.

Dr. Rosa writes, “Changing the perception of addicts in the minds of those who are not addicts is probably the only way we will make any progress in the so-called “war on drugs.” He continues, “Putting people in jail for drug use is no different than putting someone in jail for overeating. Yes, we as a nation vilify overweight people almost as much as we do addicts. But we don’t arrest them for being overweight.” As Dr. Rosa states, “The point I’m making is that addiction is a rational disorder based on the same comfort-seeking and pain-avoidance that drives all human behavior. Addiction feels like love, which I wrote about in my most recent article. (You can read it here: Addicted To Opioids Addicted To Love)”

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 athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.
Leader in Chiropractic
Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.
Integrative Medicine Specialist:

Current Vice Chair of the Board 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 medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain
Executive Medical Director – Nu-Life Solutions – maker of a neuromodulation device to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and withdrawals from 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

Opioid Crisis Expert:

White House Surrogate
Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
Corporate and professional organization consultant
Currently co-producing PSA music and cinema projects with the Russo Brothers (directors/producers of the Marvel Avenger films)
Currently forming the Opioid Abuse Prevention Institute

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
Co-Producer 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 than medication

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We Must Turn Our Fear And Loathing For Addiction Into Compassion

Changing the perception of addicts in the minds of those who are not addicts is probably the only way we will make any progress in the so-called “war on drugs.” Putting people in jail for drug use is no different than putting someone in jail for overeating. Yes, we as a nation vilify overweight people almost as much as we do addicts. But we don’t arrest them for being overweight. The point I’m making is that addiction is a rational disorder based on the same comfort-seeking and pain-avoidance that drives all human behavior. Addiction feels like love, which I wrote about in my most recent article. (You can read it here: Addicted To Opioids Addicted To Love)

I came across a feed in one of my social media accounts that stated, “The core of addiction is not wanting to be present in your life, because your life is too painful a place to be. This is why imposing more pain or punishment on a person with an addiction problem actually makes their addiction worse.” As often happens, I followed this link to yet another and another and went down the proverbial rabbit hole and found this posted by the Utah Harm Reduction Coalition: “There is a stronger link between childhood trauma and addiction than there is between obesity and diabetes. Two thirds of addicts report being abused as children. That means that the war on drugs is a war on traumatized people that just need help.”

No matter how a person becomes addicted to any substance, the fact is that they are in pain and they need help not punishment. I’ve been treating pain without drugs or surgeries for my entire career. I am an advocate of compassionate treatment of anyone suffering from substance abuse of any kind. I understand that addiction is a brain disorder, and we don’t know enough yet about the role the brain plays in addiction to spark widespread compassion. But I continue to hold out hope that this will happen and hopefully in my lifetime.