Pubdate: Thu, 05 Aug 2004
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Susan Parrott, The Oklahoman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

CHOOSING BETWEEN LIFE AND METH

Methamphetamine addiction is so powerful that all but one of 16 users 
seeking a heart transplant in Oklahoma City died because they couldn't stop 
using the stimulant, a report shows. In the last two years, only one of 16 
patients needing a new heart because of their meth abuse completed 
doctor-ordered substance abuse treatment and remained abstinent, said Wayne 
Paris, a former clinical transplant social worker at the Integris Nazih 
Zuhdi Transplantation Institute.

That patient's health improved so much that he no longer needed a 
transplant. The other 15 patients died, said Paris, now an assistant 
professor at Southern Illinois University.

By comparison, eight of 10 abusers of other illegal substances became 
viable transplant patients during that time.

Paris' unpublished report was presented Wednesday to a group of Oklahoma 
City lawyers.

"Methamphetamine is such an insidious drug and is so much more addictive 
than anything out there. It's not that they don't want to quit. We just 
haven't found the key to unlocking their treatment needs," Paris told 
Oklahoma Bar Association members who plan to go to Oklahoma classrooms and 
describe the dangers of meth use.

Dr. Mary Ann Bauman told the group that meth use causes increased and 
irregular heartbeats, which can lead to congestive heart failure. But the 
addiction is so powerful that many addicts are powerless to quit, said 
Bauman, who is medical director for Women's Health and Community Relations 
at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

Paris said the problem has become so pronounced that with 
transplant-seeking patients under 30, "it is assumed that their need of a 
heart transplant is directly related to methamphetamine abuse until proven 
otherwise."

Of 44 patients referred to the transplant center with idiopathic heart 
disease - between May 2002 and April 2004 - nearly 40 percent were meth 
abusers.

Idiopathic heart disease includes problems caused by viruses, alcohol and 
drug abuse.

The liver unit sees about five patients a year with a history of 
methamphetamine use, but none have completed substance abuse treatment and 
remained abstinent for at least six months, a prerequisite for a transplant.

Doctors say abstinence is essential because users are not likely to follow 
the stringent fluid, dietary and medication regimen needed to successfully 
treat end-stage liver disease.

At the Paul Silverstein Burn Center at Integris, the number of cases 
related to meth lab explosions doubled in the last two years to 8 percent 
of monthly admissions. In April, 19 of 227 admissions were related to meth use.

The patients generally have twice the death rate of other admissions, and 
those who survive have worse burns and longer lengths of stay, Paris said.

"They are the sickest of the sick," he said.

But since passage four months ago of a law restricting sales of 
pseudoephedrine, admissions due to meth lab explosions have dropped to two, 
compared to nine during the same period last year.

The study shows the devastating effects of meth, Paris said, and the need 
for early education and intervention.

"Waiting until the time of legal involvement, severe burn, or end-stage 
organ disease is far too late," Paris said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager