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Florida doctor accused of distributing $10 million worth pain pill prescriptions

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Florida doctor accused of distributing $10 million worth pain pill prescriptions

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| An 18-month-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led to the arrest of an 84-year-old Broward County doctor in Florida recently for illegally distributing an estimated $10 million worth of pain pill prescriptions.

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An 18-month-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led to the arrest of an 84-year-old Broward County doctor in Florida recently for illegally distributing an estimated $10 million worth of pain pill prescriptions.

Dr. Williem Ouw, who was arrested on June 15 and held in a Fort Lauderdale jail, was released in a week after furnishing a bond of $500,000. Ouw along with his three employees at his Pompano Beach facility issued prescriptions for more than 16,000 amphetamine pills, 64,000 morphine pills and 400,000 oxycodone pills. The team prescribed the deadly opioids without conducting proper medical examinations. The doctor is now prohibited from practicing medicine or prescribing drugs until the criminal case is over. He is indicted on 10 counts and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count.

During the investigation that started in December 2015, Ouw sold the pills to undercover DEA agents. They informed that on several occasions, the doctor accepted cash payments for recklessly issuing prescriptions without conducting a proper examination. His employees also instructed the patients about the line of treatment and accepted cash payments on his behalf.

The three employees have been identified as Belafonte 'Quincy' Byard (50), Donna Licata (62) from Broward County and Sarah Shoopman (36) from Orange County. All the three are accused of handling files, taking cash payments and obtaining samples. They face one count of conspiracy for distributing oxycodone and if found guilty, the maximum penalty for each account is 20 years under the federal law.
Similar cases of unwanted opioid prescriptions
Numerous cases of doctors prescribing unwanted pills have come to light. On June 23, 2017, Dr. Regan Ganoung Nichols from Oklahoma was arrested for second-degree murder by prescribing more than 1,800 opioids to patients who didn't need them. According to state investigators, Nichols was found guilty of prescribing more than 3 million doses of the deadly opioid painkillers to several of her patients during 2010-2014.

In another incident, Dr. Martin Tesher, an 81-year-old Manhattan-based doctor, was arrested on June 5, 2017, for allegedly prescribing unnecessary opioid painkillers over a span of five years. As per federal prosecutors, the doctor did not have any specialized training in pain management but wrote thousands of illegal opioid prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose. The opioid prescriptions are estimated to be worth more than $20 million.
Opioid overdose deaths a serious concern
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation has seen a four-fold increase in opioid overdose deaths since 1999. From 1999 to 2015, more than 183,000 people succumbed to prescription opioid overdose. According to the CDC, the common drugs involved in these deaths were oxycodone, methadone and hydrocodone.

At Sovereign Health of Florida, we understand that addiction to prescription drugs causes intense psychological and physical complications. It is hard to come out of addiction and lead a sober life, but it is possible with timely intervention and right approach. We offer long-lasting recovery to all our patients by offering customized treatment to suit the patients' needs. We also provide evidence-based plans in prescription drug rehab at both Pompano Beach and Fort Myers facilities. One should not delay treatment or things can go out of hand.

Depending on a patient's diagnostic assessment, including causes and severity of symptoms, prescription drug addiction treatment may involve detoxification (natural or medical), followed by behavioral and alternative therapies. For more information on our treatment programs, call our 24/7 helpline number or chat online with our representatives.

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Florida doctor accused of distributing $10 million worth pain pill prescriptions - Sovereign Health of Florida

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An 18-month-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led to the arrest of an 84-year-old Broward County doctor in Florida recently for illegally distributing an estimated $10 million worth of pain pill prescriptions. Dr. Williem Ouw, who was arrested on June 15 and held in a Fort Lauderdale jail, was released in a week ...

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Study suggests new intervention to keep people with mental illness out of prison

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Study suggests new intervention to keep people with mental illness out of prison

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| Amid the rising number of violent acts perpetrated by mentally ill individuals, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) have come up with a new intervention that can reduce criminal convictions, jail term and hospitalizations by up to 50 percent among people with a severe mental disorder.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks of his struggle to save schizophrenic sons

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks of his struggle to save schizophrenic sons

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| Ron Powers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and father of two sons with schizophrenia, is familiar with the pain and frustration that accompanies the mental disorder and stigma surrounding it. With an intimate understanding of issues confronting American families grappling with mental illnesses, his new book, “No One Cares About Crazy People: The Chaos and Heartbreak of Mental Health in America,” talks about how a psychiatric disorder is viewed in the United States.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks of his struggle to save schizophrenic sons

Ron Powers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and father of two sons with schizophrenia, is familiar with the pain and frustration that accompanies the mental disorder and stigma surrounding it. With an intimate understanding of issues confronting American families grappling with mental illnesses, his new book, "No One Cares About Crazy People: The Chaos and Heartbreak of Mental Health in America," talks about how a psychiatric disorder is viewed in the United States.

According to Powers, his book is a result of a 2010 newspaper investigation of the Milwaukee County Hospital's psychiatric wing. While patients at the hospital were being ill-treated, the country's response was not to clear up the problem and rescue these helpless people but to protect from scrutiny the officer in charge. Furthermore, his son's death launched Powers on a mission to change the prevailing attitudes on mental health in the country. In his preface, Powers writes, "I hope you do not 'enjoy' this book. I hope you are wounded by it; wounded as I have been in writing it. Wounded to act, to intervene."
On losing son to schizophrenia
According to Powers, there is no greater feeling of helplessness than to see one's two beloved children battling schizophrenia and not knowing what to do to help them. In 2005, just before his 21st birthday, Powers' younger son Kevin, whose struggle with schizophrenia began when he was 17, ended his life. A few years later, Powers' other son Dean also started experiencing schizophrenia symptoms and had a psychotic break out on Christmas Day in 2012. After a few months, Dean tried to drown himself. While Dean is undergoing therapy and doing well, many people with schizophrenia don't receive the much-needed treatment.

In his book, Powers discusses how mental illness affected his two sons and the history on how people with mental illness are treated in the U.S. For 10 years, Powers avoided writing this book to protect the privacy of his family and fearing that no one wanted to read about it. However, with the support of his wife and surviving child, Powers decided to tell his story.
Schizophrenia: A severe mental illness
Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that affects how a person thinks, acts and feels. It is characterized by a combination of emotional, behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health ( NIMH), though the mental disorder affects less than 1 percent of the general population, it occurs in 10 percent of people whose close relative, such as a parent, brother or sister, has the disorder.

The earlier symptoms of schizophrenia are usually less severe. However, when left untreated, the symptoms progress and become worse over time. Some of these include hallucinations, delusions, trouble focusing and a problem with working memory. While there is no cure for the illness, the goal of schizophrenia treatment is to reduce the symptoms and decrease chances of a relapse. A comprehensive schizophrenia treatment involves medications, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
Road to recovery
A leading mental health care provider, Sovereign Health offers behavioral treatment programs for both men and women affected by psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia, as well as substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

As part of schizophrenia treatment programs, patients at Sovereign Health of Florida receive evidence-based and alternative therapies to help manage their symptoms and improve their cognitive functioning and overall well-being. For more information on our various treatment programs or to know about our finest schizophrenia treatment facilities near you, please call our 24/7 helpline number or chat online and speak to our admission specialist today.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist talks of his struggle to save schizophrenic sons - Sovereign Health of Florida

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Ron Powers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and father of two sons with schizophrenia, is familiar with the pain and frustration that accompanies the mental disorder and stigma surrounding it. With an intimate understanding of issues confronting American families grappling with mental illnesses, his new book, "No One Cares About Crazy People: The Chaos and Heartbreak ...

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Face inner demons: New approach to treating schizophrenia

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Face inner demons: New approach to treating schizophrenia

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| For a person who suffers from schizophrenia and has lost touch with reality, virtual reality (VR) creates a more realistic version of the patient’s inner demons. In a pilot project at the Montreal’s Philippe-Pinel Institute, developed by psychiatrist and researcher Alexander Dumas, patients are allowed to create computer-generated avatars that look and talk like demons they face inside their heads.

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Face inner demons: New approach to treating schizophrenia

For a person who suffers from schizophrenia and has lost touch with reality, virtual reality (VR) creates a more realistic version of the patient's inner demons. In a pilot project at the Montreal's Philippe-Pinel Institute, developed by psychiatrist and researcher Alexander Dumas, patients are allowed to create computer-generated avatars that look and talk like demons they face inside their heads. By being a medium that can present social and emotional situations via effective human-computer interactions, VR can provide a more realistic stimulus and enrich existing psychotherapies.

The project that is inspired by a 2010 UK-based study lets the patients speak with a design technician and describe the monsters that torment them along with a list of phrases often spoken by the tormentor. During the session, the patients are provided with a VR headset through which they come face-to-face with their demons, slowly learning how to face them and fight back the insults.

"It allows patients to manage their emotions while they're being persecuted and learn to confront (the avatar)," said Dumas. Throughout the interaction, Dumas stays closely connected to the patients reading off a list of phrases submitted by them. Although in the beginning, patients may find the interaction quite difficult, over six sessions, the psychiatrist helps them respond to the insults hurled at them and to develop defense mechanisms.
Success story
Since its launch in September 2015, the experiment has involved 19 patients so far, with 15 reporting significant improvements. One such patient is 52-year-old Richard Brenton who has been living with schizophrenia since his 20s. Not fully responding to traditional therapy and medication, Brenton turned to the pilot project.

Brenton has credited the project for diminishing voices that had been tormenting him and allowing him to return to work and to engage in more social activities. According to Brenton, "I'm able to fight it. The voices have diminished from 80 to 90 percent." Inside a room, an avatar tells Brenton in a satanic voice that he is not a good father and that nobody loves him. Brenton who has experienced good results from the program has learned to respond to this demon. In one of his responses, he tells the demon that he is a good person and that whatever troubles the avatar gives him, Brenton can make him go back inside.

For patients who have found the lack of realism of the animated avatar distracting, the team has planned a second phase of the project. The latter, a collaboration between the Pinel Institute and Montreal virtual reality company Ova, is aimed at creating more vivid iterations of patients' description of their inner demons.
VR-based treatment for psychiatric disorders
In a recent study, virtual reality-based treatment has been found effective for treating psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and schizophrenia. "It allows providers to create computer-generated environments in a controlled setting, which can be used to create a sense of presence and immersion in the feared environment for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders," said Jessica Maples-Keller from the Emory University School of Medicine, who calls it a powerful tool for the psychiatric community.

To assess the utility of virtual reality in treating psychiatric disorders, the researchers reviewed the available literature on efficiency of incorporating VR within the treatment of various mental disorders. According to the researchers, there were limited number of studies examining VR for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They also concluded that while existing research on VR treatment for schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder (SAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was limited, preliminary findings were promising.
Road to recovery
A severe mental disorder, schizophrenia affects how an individual thinks, feels and behaves. Individuals suffering from the condition often face problems in their professional as well as social lives. Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, the goal of the treatment is to reduce the symptoms and decrease chances of a relapse. Residential treatment for schizophrenia mainly involves medications, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

At Sovereign Health of Florida, treatment for schizophrenia depends on the severity of the illness. In addition to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we provide individual, group and family psychotherapy, along with alternative therapies such as yoga and equine therapy. For more information on our treatment programs or to know about one of our best schizophrenia residential treatment centers near you, please call our 24/7 helpline and speak to our admission specialist.

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Face inner demons: New approach to treating schizophrenia - Sovereign Health of Florida

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For a person who suffers from schizophrenia and has lost touch with reality, virtual reality (VR) creates a more realistic version of the patient's inner demons. In a pilot project at the Montreal's Philippe-Pinel Institute, developed by psychiatrist and researcher Alexander Dumas, patients are allowed to create computer-generated avatars that look and talk like demons ...

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Bipolar patients exhibit 3 specific personality traits, says study

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Bipolar patients exhibit 3 specific personality traits, says study

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| Characterized by intense emotional states, bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which people experience drastic shifts in their mood and behavior. Individuals suffering from the disorder go from feeling manic or hypomanic to depression to remission in an erratic pattern.

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Bipolar patients exhibit 3 specific personality traits, says study

Characterized by intense emotional states, bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which people experience drastic shifts in their mood and behavior. Individuals suffering from the disorder go from feeling manic or hypomanic to depression to remission in an erratic pattern. Usually starting in late adolescence or young adulthood, when left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in poor performance at school and at work, damage personal and professional relationships and even drive an individual to suicide.

Although the moods are not constant, recognizing personality traits consistent in bipolar patients may be important in predicting the course and severity of illness. While there can be hundreds of personality traits related to an individual, psychologists have divided them into five broad categories. These include openness, agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism and conscientiousness. Now, a new study suggests that people with bipolar disorder score higher on extraversion, neuroticism and disinhibition.

The study, published in the journal BMC Psychiatry on May 3, 2017, involved 110 bipolar I patients, 85 bipolar II patients, and 86 healthy individuals. Post enrollment, each of the participant underwent annual clinical assessments. Using the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP), researchers analyzed the personality profiles of all the participants, who were followed prospectively for two years.

As per the research findings, as compared with healthy controls, individuals suffering from bipolar I and bipolar II reported higher score on:

Neuroticism: Characterized by emotional instability, neuroticism is a long-term tendency to be in a negative emotional state. People with neuroticism tend to suffer from anger, anxiety, guilt, and envy more severely than others. As per the study, participants with bipolar disorder scored higher on neuroticism in all areas except lack of assertiveness.

Disinhibition: Characterized by impulsivity and general disregard for social norms and authority, people scoring high on disinhibition tend to be aimless and disorganized. According to the study, a significant number of participants with bipolar disorder scored higher on disinhibition, especially in impulsiveness and irritability.

Aggressiveness: Characterized by unprovoked offensives or attacks, an individual scoring high on aggressiveness may indulge in a behavior directed toward a person with the intent to harm. As per the findings, a significant number of participants with bipolar disorder scored higher on aggressiveness than the healthy controls.

Examining personalities could be clinically important as one's temperament type might help forecast the nature and course of the illness. Although those with bipolar disorder scored higher on disinhibition, neuroticism and aggressiveness, there were no observable differences between bipolar disorder I and II. Though these findings cover bipolar disorder in general, it is also important to note that not all people suffering from the disorder will have these personality traits.
Road to recovery
According to the National Institute of Mental Health ( NIMH), bipolar disorder affects 2.6 percent of the U.S. population aged 18 years and older in a given year. However, the mental disorder can be treated with timely medical intervention. As a leading behavioral health care provider, Sovereign Health of Florida treats a range of mood problems, including bipolar disorder.

At our facilities in Fort Myers and Pompano Beach, bipolar disorder treatment involves a holistic combination of medications and therapies, which are customized for each individual to treat the disorder and avoid any relapse. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducational groups, we offer cognitive remediation, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) and experiential therapy, among others. For more information on the various treatments offered or to know about our bipolar disorder treatment centers near you, please call at our 24/7 helpline number and speak to our admissions representative.

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Bipolar patients exhibit 3 specific personality traits, says study - Sovereign Health of Florida

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Characterized by intense emotional states, bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which people experience drastic shifts in their mood and behavior. Individuals suffering from the disorder go from feeling manic or hypomanic to depression to remission in an erratic pattern. Usually starting in late adolescence or young adulthood, when left untreated, bipolar disorder can ...