Sportsman Played Hard, Injured Knees, Then Pain Killer Led to Addiction

BURLEIGH – A 26-year-old man, who asked that his name not be used because of his siblings, is enrolled in Addiction Recovery Systems methadone treatment program.
“I played basketball, sports, I used to play nonstop. I lost cartilage and had pain in my knees. That became justification after a bit (for using oxycodone). I am not a heroin addict. I started on 5 mg Percocet and escalated.
“Oxycodone is basically like heroin in a pill. I was morally against heroin, it never turned me on. Pills made it so much easier. You don’t have to feel dirty for doing it,” he said.
He turned to the street to purchase those pills, but they cost more. Ever stronger doses were needed to kill the pain, he said.
When his addiction to Percocet reached an average $200 a day, “That is when I came here. Originally, I only took one a day for $25. Then it escalated,” he said.
He estimated use began when he was 19 and continued until he was 24.
“I have not used (the opiate) in a year and a half. That’s when I got sober.
He is in Phase 3, which means two times a week to A.R.S. He also attends a group session once a week and an individual session per month.
Employed now, holding two jobs, He would like to make his electrician job full time.
He viewed Paul Conway’s opinion of A.R.S. “put an unfair bias in people’s head, that this place would be worse for them. It’s turned so many people’s lives around, mine included,” he said, eager to end the interview so he could get to work on time.
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About A.R.S
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Executive Director Lesley Bettis said Addiction Recovery Systems Burleigh site treats 195 patients; while one in Somers Point treats 485.
A.R.S. recently hosted an open house, and will likely host another before summer’s end. Such an open house allows a potential recovering addict to talk with counselors and ask questions about assisted treatment.
At an open house, if they are interested, the usual $100 admission fee is waived. Bettis said the last open house resulted in 10 admissions.
The standard admission fee is $100. The first week, methadone doses are $13 daily (seven days).
Dosing hours range from 6 to 10 a.m. six days a week.
Many patients are self-pay. Some go voluntarily; others receive funding from the state since A.R.S. has a service contract with the state Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Those who go for treatment must have documented proof that they meet the criteria for admission. If admitted, they are seen by a physician, a nurse, and after that will undergo bio-psycho social testing as part of the admission process.
Once a determination is made they have had an addiction for a year or more, they will be admitted into the program, and receive a daily dose of 30 mg of methadone.
During the treatments, they are monitored weekly by a physician at the Burleigh site. On a daily basis, they are assessed by a nurse, Bettis said.
During their treatment a counselor is assigned to assist the patient.
All must agree to submit to a random urine drug screening.
Bettis estimated 60 percent of those treated are males. Overall addicts who are treated at A.R.S. range in age upward from 18.
“A lot of patients had injuries sustained and they abused prescription medication. That is the majority of our patients,” Bettis said.