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 Paris' unpublished report was presented Wednesday to a group of Oklahoma City lawyers.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. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager