Michael Jackson and drug addiction: Addicts may look normal

Thursday 10th September 2009 HCFI New Delhi: The death of Michael Jackson has focused attention on physicians who prescribe controlled dangerous substances (CDS) to patients over extended periods of time, said Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and MTNL Perfect Health Mela.

The media has been focusing showing Jackson rehearsing for his London tour and questioning how he could he have the physical stamina to perform if he was addicted to controlled substances. He never looked like an addict.

But the medical fact is that those who are addicted to CDS rarely look like drug addicts. They often hold high level jobs, are well dressed, well nourished, and well spoken. They present as anything but the stereotypical street addict. They are lawyers, doctors, business executives and, entertainers.

They often come in with complaints which often justify judicious use of controlled drugs