Opioid Crisis Survivor
In a world plagued by the opioid crisis, the harrowing tale of Dr. Dove Gebien serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of a journey from a successful physician to an opioid addict and his subsequent struggle to overcome addiction sheds light on the need for better healthcare practices and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry. This blog delves into Dr. Gebien's heartfelt and candid interview on the podcast MindBody Matters with Greg Rennie, where Dove discusses his experiences with addiction, the role of pharmaceutical companies, and his fight for justice.
The Dark Descent
Dr. Gebien's story began innocently enough, as he admitted to forging prescriptions for himself, abusing his position as a physician to obtain drugs illicitly. The turning point in his life came when he experienced a severe overdose that almost cost him his life. Awakening to the fear-stricken face of his wife and realizing the pain he caused her became a defining moment in his battle with addiction.
Overcoming Opioid Addiction
While many might expect such a life-altering experience to be a turning point, addiction has a way of holding individuals captive. Dove revealed that even after the overdose, he didn't immediately stop using opioids. This pattern of relapse and struggle continued until he finally found the strength to quit on his own accord on January 8th, 2015.
The Role of Naloxone
In the interview on MindBody Matters, Dr. Gebien explained what Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan is. Its an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses. However, with the increasing potency of street drugs, it is becoming less effective, often requiring multiple doses to save a person's life. As a result, the availability of naloxone and its administration by trained personnel, such as police officers and paramedics, becomes crucial in saving lives during opioid crises.
Big Pharma's Role in the Crisis:
Dr. Gebien believes that pharmaceutical companies should have no interaction with healthcare professionals. He advocates for a clean cut, eliminating any influence from drug companies and drug reps on prescription practices. The pharmaceutical industry's marketing techniques have been criticized for downplaying the addictive nature of opioids like OxyContin, leading to a crisis that continues to affect countless lives.
The Class Action Lawsuit
Dove is the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies. The suit alleges that these companies knowingly misled physicians about the addictive properties of opioids, leading to widespread addiction and devastation in communities. The goal of the lawsuit is to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions and to prevent such manipulative practices in the future.
A Call for Accountability
Dr. Dove Gebien's story is a powerful call to action, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. By ensuring that data mining and research are independently assessed, healthcare professionals can make unbiased decisions in the best interest of their patients. Through such efforts, we can work towards minimizing the impact of the opioid crisis and protecting vulnerable individuals from falling victim to addiction.
Dove’s brave account of his battle with addiction serves as a testament to the need for change in the healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry. By holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and ensuring unbiased research and practices, we can strive towards a safer and more compassionate healthcare landscape. As we learn from Dov's journey, addiction is a complex and challenging issue that requires collective efforts to combat effectively.
This article is based on an interview with Dr. Dove Gebien on an episode of the podcast MindBody Matters, available on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
