Ex-pharmacist tells story of addiction

http://thecourier.com/local-news/2015/11/19/ex-pharmacist-tells-story-of-addiction/

Here is an example of what/who should be a “most knowledgeable” person about the POTENTIAL  addictive properties of certain medications and yet the “feeling” that taking those medications provided was mentally/physically overwhelming TO HIM.  He was apparently very “thinned skinned” because “he couldn’t make everybody happy”… and when caught the second time.. instead of addressing his mental health issues it was to make him a criminal.. which caused him to attempt suicide… ANOTHER CRIME… We can try education, but some mental health issue will not respond to “education” and it won’t respond to “treatment” until the person is ready to accept treatment. Perhaps the only education we need is toward those who insist that substance abuse is a crime, but I suspect that their resistance to be educated is not that much different than the education that we are trying to impart on those that suffer from the mental health disease of addictive personalities

Pharmacists have access to a “candy store” of prescription medication and nearly one out of six people in the field will struggle with chemical dependency during their career, statistics show.

One of them was Chris Hart, a former pharmacist, who began taking non-prescribed painkillers while on the job.

Hart shared his story with University of Findlay pharmacy students and community members during a chemical dependency seminar on Wednesday.

“This disease can happen to anybody, I’m just an ordinary guy that it happened to,” Hart said.

Hart described himself as a “people pleaser” and “perfectionist” from a normal family. He focused on academics, graduating second in his high school class and then attended pharmacy school at Ohio Northern University.

“I’m pouring my heart and soul into pharmacy, because that’s what we were taught,” Hart said. “…Along the way, they really didn’t tell you how to take care of yourself.”

Ten years into his career, Hart said he was getting burned out because “he couldn’t make everybody happy,” and that “not everybody liked him.” He said he struggled to go to work every day.

One evening, Hart was putting away medications when he said he came across Percodan, an opioid pain medication. Hart was suffering from a headache and decided to take two pills.

“It was that simple. I didn’t think of it being addictive. I didn’t think of it being a strong narcotic. I didn’t think about breaking the law,” he said.

After taking the medication, Hart said he had the “most fantastic feeling,” and that he became “super pharmacist,” cleaning the store and helping customers.

A month later, without a headache, Hart turned to the same opioid because he remembered the euphoria it brought.

Hart experimented with other prescriptions in stock and often moved to different jobs. He eventually became addicted to sleeping pills.

The former pharmacist said at one point, he nearly died from significant gastrointestinal bleeding, which he said was caused by the prescription drug abuse. Before his wife drove him to the hospital, he made sure he had enough sleeping pills to last him through his hospital stay, sticking them into his sock.

“Nobody thought it was drugs. They all thought I was working too hard,” Hart said. “I’m a good person. No one every suspected I was stealing drugs and using them.”

That didn’t happen until November 1993, when an inspector for the state pharmacy board came into the pharmacy where he worked and inquired about missing pills. Hart confessed to stealing medication.

“I went from a practicing pharmacist in the morning to a busted drug addict in treatment that night,” Hart said.

After more than seven years of sobriety and getting his pharmacy license back, Hart relapsed. He was again caught for stealing pills, and his employer wanted charges pressed.

Hart convinced his boss to allow him to tell his wife in person, rather than calling her from jail.

Instead, he drove over an hour away to a hotel, where he took 90 sleeping pills, a near lethal dose, and cut his wrists in an attempt to kill himself. A maid found Hart in his room the next morning and he was rushed to the hospital.

According to a recent University of Findlay survey of nearly 170 pharmacists, about 38 percent have attempted suicide after being caught with drugs.

Hart spent 60 days in jail for convictions on three counts of theft of medication, all fourth-degree felonies. His license to practice was revoked again.

He has been sober since Jan. 20, 2004 and he is taking recovery one day at a time.

“I have to be aware of it every day. I can’t forget it, but it’s not a battle,” Hart said.

Today, he teaches an elective course, “Chemical Dependency and the Pharmacist,” to students at five universities, including the University of Findlay.

Hart said it’s important for pharmacy students to “take care of yourself along the way.”

“It’s a very stressful position and it’s getting worse,” he said.

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