Witness testimony commenced on May 4, 2021, in the country’s first federal opioid addiction lawsuit against three opioid distributors for allegedly fueling the opioid epidemic.
Dr Cory Waller was the first witness to testify on behalf of Cabell County and the city of Huntington. The city and county’s opioid lawsuit accuses three opioid distributors – Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen of dumping millions of opioid pills into the community, causing hundreds of thousands of opioid overdoses and deaths.
Waller, an experienced Michigan doctor and addiction expert, testified at Robert C Byrd Court in central Charleston.
Explaining Opioid Addiction
The doctor explained to the court how opioid addiction happens and why it is difficult to deal with it. In his testimony, he pointed out that most addiction cases begin with prescription opioids.
After some time, the patient’s brain can no longer tell the difference between prescription opioids and illegal substances such as heroin. In fact, patients start to experience a burning urge of overdosing to achieve brain stimulation and satisfaction.
Citing a medical article titled “Epidemiology of the U.S Opioid Crisis: The Importance of the Vector,” Doctor Waller said that pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors involved in marketing and distributing opioid painkillers played a critical role in fueling the crisis.
The doctor was then cross-examined by the defense attorneys on a shift in pain management practices that started in the 1980s.
The defense attorneys specifically pointed to a medical article published in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “The Quality of Mercy.” Their primary focus was on one of the paragraphs that read, “Pain is self-destroying, and no patient should have to endure it unnecessarily. Therefore, the quality of mercy is critical to the practice of medicine, and it shouldn’t be strained.”
The defense team also exhibited newsletters and memos from the West Virginia Board of Health that clarified doctors would not be subject to disciplinary action for prescribing opioid painkillers to their patients as long as proper documentation was observed.
However, Dr Waller was quick to point out that the memos and newsletters were over-attributed and didn’t mean that physicians were at liberty to write and prescribe whatever they wanted.
More witnesses are expected to take the stand in the coming weeks.
Opioid Addiction from a Scientific Point-of-View
The truth is that anyone who takes opioids is at risk of developing dependency. Your personal history and how long you use the pain pills can play a role, but it is almost impossible to predict who is more vulnerable to eventual addiction.
These drugs are fully responsible for the majority of drug overdose deaths in the United States today.
Addiction occurs when something that began as a simple pleasure now feels like something you cannot live without. Physicians define addiction as a highly irresistible longing for a particular drug. The desire is usually out-of-control and highly compulsive.
However, continued use of the drug can result in severe consequences. Opioids and opiates are highly addictive because they tend to activate the most powerful neuro-receptors in your brain.
These drugs usually trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. Endorphins overcloud your perception of pain and boost your feelings of pleasure, creating a powerful sense of wellbeing.
Unfortunately, the feeling of pleasure is temporary, and you will find yourself wanting to take more of the drugs to bring back the sweet sensations. This is the beginning of your journey to opioid addiction.
What Are the Effects of Opioid Overdose?
Typically, when you take opioids for a prolonged period, your body slows down the production of endorphins. Over time, the same dose of opioid painkillers stops producing the same effect. This is commonly referred to as tolerance.
One of the reasons why it is difficult to end the opioid epidemic is that individuals who develop tolerance feel more driven to increase their dosage to keep feeling good.
Since doctors are aware of the increased risks associated with these painkillers, most of them won’t increase your dose or even renew your prescription. As a result, some opioid users turn to illegal substances such as heroin to satisfy their craving.
Unfortunately, some of these illegal substances, such as fentanyl, are full of contaminants or powerful opioids. Since fentanyl is highly potent, it has been associated with a significant number of opioid overdose deaths.
If you or your loved one is taking prescription opioids and have developed tolerance, make sure you seek professional help as fast as possible. There are other options that your doctor can prescribe to help you manage your pain.
However, don’t stop opioid medication without the help of a qualified doctor because you can develop withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can help you get off opioid medications slowly and safely.
Are You a Victim of Opioid Addiction? An Attorney Can Help You!
Have you or your loved one developed opioid addiction after taking prescription opioids? Have you lost your loved one to opioid overdose?
It is not too late to file a lawsuit and hold those responsible for your suffering accountable for their actions.
An opioid attorney will assess your case and help you find out if you qualify for compensation. Keep in mind that the sooner you act, the better.
Talk to an experienced opioid attorney today to determine if you are eligible to file an opioid lawsuit.
