An 18 year-old patient was seeing me for chest pains. He hesitantly admitted he was using GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid), liquid ecstasy. “I’ve missed out on so much! I want to live, but I’m careful! This drug makes me feel like I can’t breathe!” “Breathing is a good thing, don’t you think?” “Yeah, I guess, the other day, I took GHB, mom’s Vicodin, dad’s liquor, and just went wild; I don’t know how I made it, but now I’m better Dr. K!”
“Tell me something bud,” I asked my patient, “Are you seeking to live, or are you preparing to die?” It was then that my patient began to cry uncontrollably, and admitted that he needed help, which he is now getting.
Prescription pills are more abused by teens than cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines. Kids who shy away from street drugs believe these pills are acceptable. Harmful drugs can be “legal,” such as Vicodin, and are probably found in your house. Teens are taking pills from their parents or friend’s medicine cabinets, and sharing them at school and parties. Sadly, adults are not any more conscientious.
Most have no idea what they’re taking. It’s not like a teen has a chemistry degree and pulls out the Periodic Table of Elements and recites his dissertation. I don’t think they’ve seen a previous patient of mine who was alive yet dead after taking drugs in a party when he surrendered to peer pressure. Not only was it his first time, but it was his last time. He was convulsing on the floor while his peers cheered him on, only to find out he wasn’t break dancing, but having a seizure. The music was silenced by sirens. An MRA of the brain revealed an infarcted brain. Eyes open, but no one home, forever in bondage on a ventilator and never to speak again.
The effects of drugs, including alcohol, are deadly. Experiments in this lab lead to maimed brains and tattered bodies. Consider the ventilator jammed down your throat with your eyes open, but not being able to speak, hear, feel or love. Consider your family as they suffer by your bedside. Consider being alive, yet dead the dead next time you reach for drugs.
For further information on your cardiovascular health, contact Dr. Kojoglanian at 661-259-1711. The Mender of Hearts is located at 24868 Apple Street, Suite 103 in Santa Clarita. You may also visit www.drrap.com .