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"The O'Neil Naltrexone Implant"

Today Tonight

Source: Today Tonight

Published: 10 Jul 2007

Category: Pharmaceutical

Rating: (2 stars)

what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

His medical devices are already saving lives all over the world, but his latest is set to revolutionise the treatment of all sorts of illnesses.

The original article can be found at: http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/39984/none/oneil-naltrexone-implant

how did it rate? (more information)

Criteria Rating
Total Score 3 of 9
Novelty of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Availability of Treatment Satisfactory (?)
Treatment Options Not Satisfactory (?)
Disease Mongering Satisfactory (?)
Evidence Not Satisfactory (?)
Quantification of Benefits of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Harms of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Costs of Treatment Not Satisfactory (?)
Sources of Information Satisfactory (?)
Relies on Press Release Not Applicable

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

We have been here before. Conventional naltrexone tablets have been trialled with mixed results and are not widely seen as effective. A naltrexone implant (there is more than one formulation available worldwide) may well improve adherence with therapy and improve results. But, by conventional standards, the evidence is not yet available that treatment is effective and acceptably safe. The evidence cited in this article is not sufficient to justify widespread use outside of a clinical trial and the journalist and his informants should have made this clear. Breathless claims of success are inappropriate in this setting but particularly so here where they can engender hope that is not matched by the reality. The challenge to investigators here is not to tackle their critics but recognise that the burden of proof rests on them to prove the efficacy and safety of their products.

public forum

(12 Sep 2009) Bruce writes,

"Can anyone tell me if there is a doctor trialling LDN on autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease? If there is how can I get in touch with them? Area of Melbourne."

Media Doctor response,

"Dear Bruce

Media Doctor does not provide medical advice. We recommend you contact your GP for more information."
(08 Jun 2009) Daniel from drug user writes,

"I'm a current user trying to get healthier with some help from my doctor. He has me on suboxane and I'm finding this not much benefit for the cravings I'm on 18 mg and use approx 3 times to 4 times a week as well I skip some doses to get more of an affect I'm just all screwed up at the moment and need something to kill the cravings. I hang out every day and I've just started a new job and its bloody difficult can anybody give me there views on naltrexone and the costs and where you get the procedure done I'm currently in the western sub of melbourne thanks Dan"
(this comment has been moderated)

Media Doctor response,

"Dear Daniel

We recommend you speak to your GP about naltrexone. Your email address and surname have been removed for privacy reasons however we will post any responses onto the site.

We wish you all the best.
Media Doctor"
(19 Dec 2008) Vicki Baldwin from nil writes,

"Naltrexone Tablets have helped me. For most of my Adult life I have been addicted to Alcohol. Numerous Detox instays over the years. Only to relapse over &over. Yes it is a daily event of taking Naltrexone Tablet, But Im not drinking. Im so thankful that Naltrexone is available. It is a God send. To anyone out there who wishes to change your Addiction Please talk to your Doctor about Naltrexone. A Life Changing event will take place if you are Trully Comitted."

(08 Oct 2008) SHANE ROBERT MCPHERSON from AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS writes,

"I CAN NOT SEE HOW A REVOLUTIONARY TREATMENT SUCH AS DR ONEILS CAN EVEN BE QUESTIONED WHEN THE FORMER HEALTH MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA TONY ABOTT ON INVESTIGATION INTO DR GEORGE ONEILS CLINIC AND TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS INPARTICULAR HEROIN ADDICTS STATED THAT IT WOULD REVOLUTIONALIZE THE WAY DRUG ADDICTS WOULD BE TREATED SO FOR HEVEANS SAKE WOULD THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT MAKE STATE POLITICIANS COME INTO LINE WITH THOSE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND IMPLEMENT A SIMILAR POLICY AND COVER THEM FOR AT LEAST ONE TREATMENT UNDER THE MEDICARE PLAN"

(11 Sep 2008) Steve writes,

"I have had (this type of) Naltrexone treatment and I have suffered severe
complications from this operation. (J)ust about everyone (in this program) has had the treatment more than once, with one bloke having it done 15 times. I do not believe this is a miracle cure, most people that i know that have had the treatment have turned to speed and many have been hospitalised with complications."
(this comment has been moderated)

(19 May 2008) June writes,

"Please note that while Dr O'Neil is working hard to help people with alcohol and drug addiction I have been informed by a close friend who lives on the Gold Coast and was treated recently at a Broad Beach Clinic that her naltrexone implant cost the cool sum of $12.000, yes, twelve thousand australian dollars! l I think this is something that should be investigated. Thank you for your attention, sincerely, June."
(this comment has been moderated)

(20 Apr 2008) annie from parents writes,

"as a parent of an addict who has been active for years and gone thru home detox programs, etc failing on all i feel this is my sons only hope, but we have to travel from interstate to get it done, where do they perform this procedure"

Media Doctor response,

"Thanks for your enquiry.
Media Doctor is not a medical advice site. We're a media monitoring program. For medical advice, please see your family doctor or your local health services about the availability of this treatment in your local area."
(24 Mar 2008) peter writes,

"Im a 42 year old male with a heroin history that has apart from times of attempted detox, lasted 22 years. I have been on the Methadone program, subutex, G.P style detox, and Naltrexone. I feel that puts me in the bracket of experienced Heroin taker and I can say without doubt, the only treatment to deliver me not only from heroin but the anguish that this drug brings with it. It cant be any more obvious to anyone with half an idea of heroin addiction that this may well be the only proven deterrent. I do hear cries that it is not yet recognized by the hierarchy of the medical elite, but if you cared to ask most any one of Dr ONiels past patients, it would all be but tooo clear, after all only a heroin addict can tell you of the success of this treatment. After being one of the original trialists,I have acted as carer to at least a dozen hard core addicts, all of whom have not looked back and as I do, consider George to be a saint sent straight from heaven."
(this comment has been moderated)

(24 Dec 2007) michael C writes,

"My wife is an alcoholic and we need help. How can we get in touch with Doctor O'Neil? We have broken up but I just want to help my wife get better as I love her dearly."
(this comment has been moderated)

Media Doctor response,

"Dear Michael
Thanks for your interest in Media Doctor. Media Doctor is a media monitoring website and we do not provide medical advice or referrals over the internet. I would suggest that you speak to your family doctor about getting help."
(04 Dec 2007) kimba from drug user writes,

"I have been reading up on Dr Oneill's naltrexone treatment. From what I have read it seems that it is the best treatment so far for drug users. It certainly sounds alot better than methadone and also alot healthier for our bodies. The problem is most users cant afford the $1000 it cost. If the government really wanted to help us addicts medicare would cover the treatment. People can recieve methadone for free and look at the side effects and most people misuse the drug by injecting it or selling it."
(this comment has been moderated)

(27 Sep 2007) JP writes,

"Below is the article you may want to look at and be amazed. Healing is not a business but a vocation. Of course technology, drugs, psychology is part of the healer's toolbox. This doctor is an inspiration and in 10 years helping the patients I heard of no malpractice suits or disciplinary action against him. Think of that too! He resists his patent be bought and locked into commercial interests beating a path to his door. He could be a multi millionaire overnight and loose control over his invention which now costs little and affordable. He treated and still does some people free who can't afford even the meagre sums.
http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/39984/none/oneil-naltrexone-implant"
(this comment has been moderated)

Media Doctor response,

"Dear JP
Thanks for your feedback. At Media Doctor we critique the news story about a health innovation claiming therapeutic effects, not the treatment itself. Having said that, we feel it is important that when someone claims to be able to heal, they are backed up by scientific evidence.
Thanks again for your interest."
(02 Sep 2007) AR from citizen writes,

"Dear Media Doctor,
I was implanted with naltrexone for 7 years usage of morphine due to a mva in 1997. Dr O'Neils implants in my view are brillant only desire is to drink water. Dr George has given me a fresh start its truely amazing the naltrexone implants."
(this comment has been moderated)

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