Michael Jackson’s Naltrexone revelation in trial, expert weighs in
The prosecution in the MichaelJackson trial just dropped a bombshell by introduced new testimony from one of MichaelJackson’s medics that the singer, at one point in his life, was trying to getclean by using an opiate blocking implant of Naltraxone.
Jackson was cryptic with his medical history, a nurseanesthetist who treated the singer testified Thursday.
Witness David Fournier told jurors he had worked with Jackson for a decade until the relationship ended in 2003, when Fournier refused to participate in a cosmetic medical procedure.
Jackson’s actions appeared “goofy” according to CNN and he was slow to respond to standard questions. Fournier refused to administer an anesthetic, he said.
“He wasn’t honest with me,” Fournier said. CNN reported that Jackson had a Naltrexone implant in his abdomen to block the effects of Demerol and other opiate medications.
Fournier testified that he had given the singer a relatively large dose of a powerful anesthetic and needed to know how Jackson was going to react.
Fournier testified as a defense witness in a negligence case filed by Jackson’s mother against AEG Live LLC, the promoter of Jackson’s comeback shows.
AEG lawyers have argued that Jackson hid his prescription drug use from nearly everyone.
Fournier said his incomplete medical records show he administered propofol to Jacksonat least 14 times between 2000 and 2003 and he noted in his records that Jackson had a high tolerance for certain drugs, which Fournier said could be attributed to a variety of factors, including genetics.
During cross-examination, Fournier said Jackson never requested any specific drugs, including propofol, during procedures or asked to be sedated for longer than was necessary. He said the singer didn’t exhibit any drug-seeking behavior or signs that he was doctor-shopping.
Fournier said he knew that Jackson had received an above-average number of anesthetic treatments over his lifetime, and many were related to procedures needed after Jacksonwas badly burned in a shoot for a Pepsi commercial in 1984.
Jackson’s physician Conrad Murray continued to give the singer nightly doses of propofol as Jackson prepared for his “This Is It” tour.
Cliffside Malibu addiction specialist and internist Dr Damon Raskin uses the Naltrexone injection that lasts for about a month. The medicine works in the brain as an opiate blocker, helping to stop the cravings.
To date, Dr Raskin has had success working with it. However, there is a major down side if the addict uses while on the drug. Dr. Raskin tells us, “If you are on Naltrexone and start to use again, you have to use higher doses to get the same effects from the drugs, this greatly increases the possibility of overdosing.” Along with the implant and the monthly injections, there is also a 24 hour version of the drug.
