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Local News

Monday, July 26, 2010

The struggle against addiction
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

When his drug use was at its height, "John," 42, of Findlay, spent $300 every two days on heroin and painkillers.

He started out abusing alcohol and marijuana, and graduated to cocaine, and later to highly addictive and potentially fatal opiates.

First, he snorted the heroin.

"Then it got to where I was snorting it and I couldn't feel it," John said.

Next, he started to shoot heroin into his body with a syringe because it was a better high, he said.

He used more and more. Becoming increasingly desperate for his fixes, he stole money from his employer. His boss caught him, but charges were not pursued.

He tried to quit cold turkey.

It worked for a while. But then he got hooked on pain pills. He tried to quit several times, but relapsed.

Withdrawal was always his biggest fear.

"It's like having the worst flu you ever had multiplied by 100," he said.

Eventually, John had enough.

He started treatment at Anhedonia, a Findlay clinic that describes itself as a doctor's office for opiate addicts. He went through the program and eventually was weaned off Suboxone, a transitional drug used by Anhedonia to help patients end their addiction.

He completed treatment and seemed to be on the right track, but felt himself slipping in February.

"It was like I could feel the addiction tapping on my shoulder," he said.

In a weak moment, he took 20 pain pills and planned to blow a paycheck on more drugs. But, before he could do it, he went back to Anhedonia.

"If I hadn't come back here (Anhedonia), I would have gone back to heroin because it's so cheap," he said.

"Debbie," 42, of Fostoria, a single parent without child support, pushed herself to work to provide for her family.

Taking painkillers was part of getting through the day.

She took pain pills following back and neck surgeries in the late 1990s. Eventually, she was hooked.

"You have got to have more and more and more for your body to stay at that consistent level," she said.

"I guess I viewed myself in a different class for awhile. The doctor was giving the prescriptions to me so I told myself, 'I'm legal.'"

But now, "I don't view myself as any different than a heroin addict. In my eyes, I still had to have the drugs in my everyday life," she said.

She longed to be able to enjoy life again.

"On the painkillers, I was numb and didn't feel anything. I want to be able to enjoy my kids and grandkids," Debbie said, "and to not wake up each day wondering where I am going to get my next pill."

"Chris," 37, of North Baltimore, said, "When you are using, that's what everything is about," scoring drugs.

Working in a factory, Chris said there were always drugs to be had.

"If you said you had back pain, there is going to be somebody who has some sort of opiate," he said.

He recalled spending an hour or two daily after his shift in search of his next fix.

Going without drugs was the worst, he said. During withdrawal, his body would ache, he would have severe diarrhea and the shakes.

"Every muscle in your body tightens up and you can't move," he said.

"John," "Chris," and "Debbie," whose names have been changed for this article, were getting treatment at Anhedonia several months ago.

"John" is still being treated at Anhedonia.

"Debbie" has been off Suboxone for several months and is "doing great," according to Andy Shaferly, a registered nurse there.

"Chris" is still coming to Anhedonia and has started to decrease his Suboxone dosage, she said.

Editor's Note: The names of people in this story have been changed, but their ages and hometowns have not.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens

Tuesday: Northwestern Ohio high school students are abusing heroin and pain pills. Also, police and prosecutors have joined forces to combat drugs.


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5 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Patrick wrote:
replacement vrs recovery
“ The recovery field is split when it comes to the idea of replacement medications. Suboxone, Methadone and the like have been praised in many articles and studies but they are still drugs. Recovery is possible without additional drugs if a person is working a solid program. Through counseling, support groups and vigilance a person is capable of recovery. I was glad the article talked of decreasing doses over time but too many are simply replacing one drug with another to comply with court orders or requirements. ”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 12:41:17 PM
Tony Grotrian wrote:
Brittany
“ I believe you can get help with suboxone with Angy Shaferly RN please check it out. Anhedonia,LLC 7595 Co.Rd.236 Findlay, Oh. 419-672-8981 also try Dr.Sam Schwendiman at 419-424-2011 in Findlay. He says he accepts insurance plans. Please search them out. Grandpa Tony ”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 11:04:39 AM
Brittany wrote:
suboxone dr. in findlay ohio
“ is there any1 who can help me find a suboxone dr. closer to home.i heard was few in fostoria or findlay ohio ”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 9:01:44 AM
Angy Shaferly wrote:
Struggle Against Addiction
“ Thanks Jordan for taking the time you did to talk with me and the patients to get good accurate information out there. The one thing anyone in need of help needs is the truth and where to go to find it. You brought that to light. The patients have been excited to know that people do care and they care enough to wanna help save anyone from the hell they went through. Thanks Again, ANGY ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 6:40:05 PM
Ashley Wentz wrote:
Addiction
“ HI my name is Ashley Wentz and I found your article so true. I lost my brother January of 2009 to suicide do to the fact that he was highly addicted to Oxycontin. Since then I have found out that my husband is addicted to the same. He is in a inpatient rehab facility named Narconon Freedom Center in Albion, MI. It is very good program!! I think if people knew this kind of program was out there they would be willing to get help. It is a 4month-14 month program. It is for any substance abuse. We need to educate and show that there is life with out using. Thanks! ”
Monday, July 26, 2010 1:21:50 PM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

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The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.