Posts Tagged Addiction among medical professionals

Pop icon Michael Jackson’s death has shifted the attention of specialists and service providers in the field of addiction to a drug named propofol – a potent drug which was found in MJ’s home along with IV stands and oxygen tanks. Just three days prior to his death on 25th June, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists had warned the hospitals to restrict the availability of the drug since abuse of the drug amongst medical professionals is becoming a growing concern. Handling long shifts, stressful cases as well as easy access to drugs has fuelled the problem of drug addiction amongst them. 

Deprivan, the brand name under which the drug is sold, is a sedative used in hospital settings primarily for colonoscopies, cosmetic surgeries, bone repair and same-day knee surgery. The drug is administered intravenously and it works very quickly. According to Dr.Wischmeyer, “If you try to count backward from 100 after injecting it, you don’t get to 97.” It is also considered to be a clean drug since it clears the system very quickly. The drug is only safe for hospital patients and constant monitoring for “airway management” is a must to ensure that breathing does not stop.

The drug can bring a short but captivating high after the sedation wears off. Medical professionals have been using it as a recreational drug often for “pronapping” – a short rest induced by the drug. But gradually they get addicted to it requiring specialized intervention.

The standard drug tests cannot detect propofol and with a half-life of 5 minutes, it does not affect the behavior in a way that signals addiction. 

“Could propofol be the next OxyContin?” Some doctors say “no” since it is difficult to administer and only medical professionals can do it.

Should proponol be classified as a controlled substance? Please share your comments and views regarding the matter.