Monsters & Critics / The Hills Treatment Center Amanda Peterson’s Unnecessary Death A Cautionary Tale, Says Addiction Expert September 3, 2015

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Dying of drug addiction or any addiction issues in your early forties is a tragic thing. The news of “Can’t Buy Me Love” star Amanda Peterson’s premature death due to a cocktail of prescription and other drugs is a learning moment for anyone reading this who dabbles and combines opiates and alcohol, or various pills to manage stress or simply for recreation.

Peterson died July 5. She was 43 years old, married and living in Greeley, Colorado, where she grew up.  Peterson reportedly died of an accidental morphine overdose, according to anautopsy report from the Weld County, Colorado, Coroner’s Office.  But morphine was one of several drugs she had ingested. According to the Weld County Coroner in Colorado, Peterson had a variety of prescription drugs in her system, including benzodizepines (anti-anxiety meds), opiates and phenothiazines (an anti-psychotic medication). She also had marijuana in her system.

Peterson was prescribed multiple medications at the time of her death, including the pain medication gabapentin for a hysterectomy. (more…)

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safebee.com / SignatureMD Before You Slice, Drive or Climb a Ladder: Are You on Any of These Meds? September 1, 2015

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When Kathy McCoy started taking a new blood pressure medication, she felt a little dizzy, so she asked her husband to drive her to work.

Over the next few days, her dizziness subsided, but then McCoy got fatigued and turned very pale. She called the physician who’d switched her meds, who told her to stick with the medicine, verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), for another week. (more…)

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PopZette / Alter Agents A Peak for ‘Star Wars’? How too much hype could hamper Skywalker & Co. August 31, 2015

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What’s more powerful than Luke Skywalker, Yoda and Darth Vader combined?

The marketing “Force” at Disney Inc.

But could the company’s promotional blitz behind the seventh film in the “Star Wars” saga end up hurting, not helping, the franchise? (more…)

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LA Daily News | Sports / The Hills Treatment Center Doctor critical of USC’s handling of Sarkisian August 31, 2015

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USC’s handling of Coach Steve Sarkisian’s situation drew criticism Thursday from a doctor who treats patients with addiction problems.

Dr. Howard Samuels, founder of the The Hills treatment center in Hollywood, said based on Sarkisian’s behavior Saturday night and public comments this week, it was unwise to have Sarkisian seek treatment and coach football at the same time. (more…)

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CommPro / Alter Agents Are Brands Being Genuine in Their Ethical Campaigns? August 27, 2015

Rebecca BrooksBy Rebecca Brooks, Partner and Co-Founder, Alter Agents

Honey Maid, the venerable brand of graham crackers whose very name evokes sepia- toned memories of the good ole days, launched a cutting-edge advertising campaign last year that is a model for all other brands seeking to be genuinely “genuine.” We’ve all heard that the evolving, self-aware consumer wants brands to be more “real” and “authentic,” but what does that mean? (more…)

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