Joan Gadsby's Story: Addiction By Prescription

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http://www.benzo.org.uk/

 

http://www.addictionbyprescription.com/

 

Tranquillizers — Sleeping Pills — Anti-Depressants

Prescription Addiction Book - One Woman's Triumph and Fight for Change

 

One Woman's Triumph

and Fight for Change

304-PAGE BOOK

 

The paperback or hardcover edition of Joan Gadsby's cautionary tale

describes the horrors of prescription drug addiction, withdrawal and

its devastation of people's lives. This best selling book outlines a

powerful call to action, a multi-stakeholder strategy and contains

historical and current international research references. (2001)

ISBN 1-55263-334-9 paperback

ISBN: 1552631567 hardcover.

 

 

The Shocking Story of a

Society Hooked on Drugs

45-MINUTE VIDEO of TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY

 

This provocative and educational video investigates how and why

millions worldwide become " medicine cabinet junkies " and " accidental

addicts " to doctor prescribed tranquilizers, sleeping pills and anti

depressants. Available in North America VHS Version and International

PAL Version.

 

TWO ESSENTIAL TITLES YOU MUST HAVE!

 

Internationally Endorsed by Experts

 

THE HIDDEN WORLDWIDE HEALTH EPIDEMIC!!

 

Addiction to Prescription Drugs is 10 times the problem of illegal

drugs, is far more gripping and debilitating than heroin or cocaine

addiction, costs society and individuals billions of dollars and

affects the quality of life of millions worldwide who become

accidental addicts.

 

 

Are you aware of the potential serious short and long-term adverse

side effects of tranquillizers and sleeping pills including cognitive

impairment or brain damage which can be permanent, cross addictions to

other drugs, paradoxical reactions, psycho-motor effects, creation of

anxiety, depression, overdoses, suicidal ideation, emotional blunting,

addiction and withdrawal etc.?

 

 

Are you aware that tolerance and addiction to tranquillizers and

sleeping pills can occur within weeks of regular use and that you can

experience debilitating withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation and

between pills? That higher dosages are needed over time to achieve the

same initial effect?

 

 

Do you know what the withdrawal symptoms from these drugs include?

 

 

Do you know who to go to for medical/professional help in withdrawing

from these drugs?

 

 

Do you drive a car or have you had accidents under the influence of

these drugs?

 

 

Are you aware that tranquillizers and sleeping pills can cause drug

induced anxiety, depression, mood disorders and other " alleged

psychiatric disorders " which often disappear when the drugs are

discontinued?

 

 

Are you a senior on long term use of tranquillizers and sleeping pills

experiencing falls, problems with concentration, anxiety, depression,

insomnia?

 

 

Are you pregnant and being prescribed tranquillizers and sleeping

pills? Do you know about " floppy baby syndrome " and its similarity to

" fetal alcohol syndrome " ?

 

 

Are you one of the 20% of the world's adult population (30% of

seniors) who have been prescribed tranquillizers and sleeping pills

longer that 2 - 4 weeks or for intermittent use, contrary to

guidelines established 20 years ago?

 

 

Are you aware of the high socio-economic and health costs associated

with the continued misprescribing and uninformed use of these drugs

including career devastation, family dysfunction, violence, deaths

from overdoses, lost years, disability and life insurance claims,

emergency hospital admissions etc.?

 

 

Do you have employees in your company whose work place productivity,

judgement, decision making, emotional stability, days off work and

safety are affected by their use of prescription drugs?

 

 

Are your health benefit costs to provide prescription drug coverage to

your employees rapidly escalating?

 

 

Are you a disability, life or automobile insurance company

experiencing increasing claims resulting from the usage of

tranquillizers, sleeping pills and anti depressants?

 

 

Are you a prescriber of these drugs, a healthcare professional,

counsellor, helping someone withdraw from their accidental or

involuntary addiction or an educator in prescription drug addiction?

 

 

Are you aware that a recent US study revealed that fewer than 30% of

prescribing doctors know how to diagnose addiction to prescription drugs?

 

 

Are you aware that anti-depressants (the follow up to Valium 25 years

later) also have potentially serious side effects including

drug-induced mania leading to suicide, suicidal ideation, violence,

criminal acts, disinhibition, drug induced severe anxiety, agitation

and depression, drug-induced obsessions and compulsions, drug-induced

akathisia, tolerance, addiction and withdrawal etc.?

 

 

Are you aware that documented evidence shows that anti-depressants

including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and other mind/mood altering

drugs including tranquillizers and sleeping pills (Valuim, Xanax,

Ativan etc) are involved in the alarming increase in some of the

murder/suicides, suicides, domestic violence, bizarre mass killings,

(parents) killing children, road and air rage, school shootings and

work place violence in North America?

 

 

 

If you are concerned about prescription drug addiction and its

effects you need to order the book Addiction by Prescription and the

video Our Pill Epidemic.

 

 

 

The high socio-economic and health costs with the continued

indiscriminate prescribing and uninformed usage of these drugs

includes health and safety in the work place, career devastation,

family dysfunction, productivity losses, car accidents, falls, floppy

baby syndrome (similar to fetal alcohol syndrome), lost years of

people's lives, lost lives, costs to the legal and justice system,

workers' compensation board claims, life and disability insurance

claims, social welfare costs, emergency admissions, physicians' fees,

pharmacists' fees, drug costs, detox facilities and increased overall

costs for healthcare and other public/private sector services.

 

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

 

 

 

Prescription drugs are " big business " for the multi-billion-dollar

international drug companies with worldwide sales estimated at $300

billion. Central Nervous System drugs including BENZODIAZEPINES

(tranquillizers and sleeping pills) and ANTI-DEPRESSANTS have reached

an estimated $75 billion. Drug companies spend more on marketing and

promoting their drugs than on research and development — ($15 -

$20,000 per doctor) and an estimated $8.3 billion in the United States

in 1998.

 

 

People trust their doctors " to do no harm " , often do not give informed

consent or become knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of drug

therapy (or search out other non drug alternatives or make lifestyle

changes including diet and exercise).

 

BENZODIAZEPINES

 

Benzodiazepines — including such tranquillizers and sleeping pills as

Ativan, Dalmane, Librium, Restoril, Rivotril, Serax, Xanax and Valium

— are the best selling drugs in the history of medicine, with annual

worldwide sales exceeding $21 billion. They are prescribed to 30% of

the adult population in the world.

 

With such a lucrative market at stake, high-powered drug company

promotional campaigns have convinced millions that tranquillizers and

sleeping pills are needed to cope with life's everyday challenges.

Millions of prescriptions — close to two thirds for women and almost

75 percent for refills — are written each day worldwide beyond short

term guidelines of 2 – 4 weeks established over 20 years ago. Doctors

continue to prescribe despite known and often serious physical,

cognitive and emotional side-effects.

 

Dependency occurs in an estimated 60% of people prescribed these drugs

beyond a few weeks, and withdrawal can be lengthy and frightening.

 

The bottom line? Millions of people throughout the world are becoming

addicted by prescription or become " Accidental Addicts " from trusting

their doctors " to do no harm. "

 

ANTI-DEPRESSANTS

 

A booming market also exists for anti-depressants such as Prozac,

Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, Wellbutrin and Effexor with worldwide sales in

the billions of dollars. Anti-depressants (often referred to as the

follow up to Valium 25 years later) in the United States in 2000

reached $10.4 billion in retail sales up 21% over 1999 and

representing a startling five-fold increase since 1993.

 

Anti-depressants including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and Celexa can

have significant side effects including drug induced mania leading to

suicide, suicidal ideation, violence, criminal acts, disinhibition or

out of control behaviour; drug induced severe anxiety, agitation and

depressions; drug induced obsessions and compulsions; drug induced

akathisia (an internal sensation of agitation or discomfort that

drives a person to move about and also to lose impulse control);

tolerance and addiction leading to a recognized withdrawal syndrome

which can include bouts of overwhelming depression, insomnia, fatigue

and life-threatening physical effects, psychosis and violent out bursts.

 

The book " Addiction By Prescription " and the video, " Our Pill

Epidemic, " are relevant for:

 

 

People taking tranquillizers and sleeping pills, and their families

 

 

People who may be prescribed these drugs

 

 

Doctors who prescribe these drugs

 

 

Addiction specialists / Recovery and Treatment Centres

 

 

Mental Health professionals

 

 

Pharmacists

 

 

Professionals involved in Public Health

 

 

Drug companies

 

 

Disability, Life and Automobile Insurance companies

 

 

Public and private sector corporations

 

 

Governments and political decision-makers

 

 

Academics and researchers, Universities

 

 

Employee Assistance Counsellors

 

 

Health authorities and Hospitals

 

 

Self-Help Recovery Organizations

 

 

Seniors Wellness Advocates and Organizations

 

 

Reference Libraries and Schools

 

 

Lawyers involved in prescription drug litigation and class action lawsuits

 

 

 

Joan Gadsby is recognized internationally as an authority, consultant,

lecturer and public speaker on the responsible and informed use of

benzodiazepines ( tranquillizers and sleeping pills) and anti-depressants

 

Joan can be contacted for prescription drug addiction and legal

consulting, speaking engagements, sponsorships and media interviews at ...

 

Market Media International Corp.

4507 Cedarcrest Avenue,

North Vancouver, BC

V7R 3R2,

Canada

 

Phone: (604) 987-6064

 

Fax: (604) 987-6063

 

Email: joangadsby

 

Disclaimer

This website is committed to responsible prescribing and informed use

of tranquillizers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants. It does not

provide medical advice.

 

Caution

Under no circumstances attempt to withdraw from these drugs without

proper ongoing medical supervision such as a well informed addiction

or chemical dependancy doctor

 

Be Informed and Knowledgeable about Addictive Prescription Drugs!

 

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 

Joan E. Gadsby

Biographical Information

 

#

 

Born Kincardine Ontario, Canada; grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario

#

 

Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario, London, in

Psychology, English and Journalism

#

 

Moved to North Vancouver, British Columbia 1963 and resident since

#

 

Post Graduate Studies in MBA Program, University of British Columbia

in Marketing and Industrial Relations

#

 

PhD (Honorary) specializing in Prescription Drug Addiction, Medical

Research, Public Health and Promotion, Alternative Medicines Research

Institute, an arm of the AMR non governmental organization chartered

in Europe (whose mission is education, advocacy and research) and

affiliated with the Open International University for Complementary

and Alternative Medicines. Accredited by the American Naturopathic

Medical Association, the American Alternative Medical Association, the

American Association of Drugless Practitioners and recognized by the

World Organization for Alternative Medicine.

#

 

20 years of diversified senior level business experience in marketing,

strategic planning, public affairs, government relations and issues

management with 4 of Canada's largest companies. 8 years in senior

management position with BC Provincial Government

#

 

President/Owner of Market Media International Corporation which

provides with senior contract executive associates consulting services

in strategic marketing and planning, business development, public

affairs, government relations and issues management

#

 

Former elected poll topping Councillor, District of North Vancouver

for 13 years

#

 

Former Consultant/Part time Faculty member " Leadership in Government "

Program, Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia

#

 

Author of book " Addiction By Prescription " - one woman's triumph and

fight for change published by Key Porter Books, Toronto, Canada April

2000. Internationally endorsed by experts, chosen as non fiction

choice for a Canadian writer and available internationally online at

www.addictionbyprescription.com, www.amazon.com and

www.chapters.indigo.ca or through bookstores. Book was one of the

biggest hits at the Frankfurt Germany Book Fair in October 2000 and

will be available in other languages in the future. Also released in

paperback spring 2001

#

 

Co Executive Producer and Research Consultant of television

documentary " Our Pill Epidemic " - the Shocking Story of a Society

Hooked on Drugs which has been broadcast nationally on CTV (available

for international broadcast and in video.) Videos available in North

America 1-800-471-5628 International formats email

info. Also available through

www.addictionbyprescription.com

#

 

Wellness and Health Promotion Consultant to corporations, governments,

healthcare and other organizations and to individuals on the subject

of prescription drug addiction - (medical and legal consulting)

#

 

Project Leader/Consultant for development and implementation of

national multi stakeholder strategic action plan and awareness

campaign for benzodiazepines (currently in proposal stage seeking

private/public sector funding)

#

 

Recognized international authority and public speaker on the

responsible and informed use of benzodiazepines (tranquillizers and

sleeping pills). Numerous guest appearances on national television,

radio, other media and lecturer/presenter at Universities,

international conferences, health and wellness shows

 

Future Projects

#

 

Co Executive Producer - International TV Documentary

#

 

Creative Developer and Executive Producer of film/movie of the week

project based on my book " Addiction By Prescription "

#

 

Second Book - " Against the Wind " - the fight for and process of

systemic change

 

Other

#

 

Selected as one of Canada's notable women, Canadian University Women's

Club - 1994

#

 

National and British Columbia Board Member, Women Entrepreneurs of

Canada 1999 - 2001 and member of International Alliance of

Professional and Executive Women

#

 

Member Vancouver Board of Trade

#

 

Vice President of International Benzodiazepine Awareness Network (BAN)

committed to responsible and informed use of tranquillizers, sleeping

pills and antidepressants

#

 

Many other professional/business affiliations and recognitions.

Extensive volunteer and community work.

#

 

Personal Data - An active mother and a classic car and convertible

enthusiast who enjoys daily running, fitness, sports, dancing,

boating, nature photography, fashion designing, music, travel, and reading

#

 

Visit homepage at www.addictionbyprescription.com and

www.benzo.org.uk. Joan can be contacted at address, phone, fax (below)

or email Joan E. Gadsby

 

September 18, 2002

 

Market-Media International Corp.

4507 Cedarcrest Ave., North Vancouver, BC, V7R 3R2, Canada

Phone: (604) 987-6064 Fax: (604) 987-6063

Email Joan E. Gadsby

 

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