Tom Petty: It was an "accidental" OD

The main point is that Petty wasn't using his meds recreationally — he was simply doing his best to cope with a crippling injury that was only getting worse, all in order to live up to his touring commitments. At his level of fame, he wouldn't have needed to doctor shop - they had a doctor with them on the tour.

It's not uncommon for severe chronic pain to be managed with a long-acting opioid dosage and another shorter-acting, oral opioid for breakthrough pain. Petty suffered from a broken hip and a damaged knee. However, fentanyl and oxycodone are generally not advised for long term use with depression and anxiety drugs (Citalopram (Celexa) is used to treat depression. Alprazolam (Xanax) is a drug that is used for treating anxiety. They are often prescribed in tandem, as in his case.). 

There is no indication he was addicted to anything - in fact between his emphysema and a broken hip, the actual drugs listed aren't particularly alarming - the fentanyl patch is time release specifically to prevent overdosage - but as someone who has taken pain meds for 16 years due to a car accident and destroyed spinal disc, keeping track of what you took when can be a problem, especially if any of the substances make you less than fully alert. The family is astutely, and responsibly, cautioning people that this can tragically occur. This is nothing like Prince illegally scoring oxys from various pharmacies...accidentally taking too much of a prescription drug (or drugs) as the coroner's report says happens every day, which the family points out and is something to be wary of.

Years ago, I co-founded a chronic pain support group. We built it up to around 50 members who would attend our weekly meetings in a classroom at the local church. 

Chronic pain people learn how to medicate ... usually with a combination of alcohol and opiate drugs. The combination really works to knock the pain down. The problem is that we build up a tolerance to these drugs (including alcohol) and need ever increasing doses to get the desired effects. 

I had a lot of conversations with my own neurosurgeon about pain meds and learned that they can actually cause pain. He encouraged me to attempt to get the members to reduce their drug intake ... with the approval of their doctors of course. 

One of the first things we would do was to interview the new member of the group. They told us about what led to their chronic pain situation, what drugs they were taking ... and then the big question: Are you thinking about suicide? About half of the new members would admit that they were on the edge of ending their lives and that we were their last resort.  The difference now was that they were in a large group of people who at one time had the very same strain of thought. 

At the new member's very first meeting, we would encourage them to start breaking their pain meds in half and only take half doses until the next meeting. At the next meeting we encouraged them to break the meds in half again. Slowly, they were weaned off of the drugs ... at which time, their pain was reduced as well as their depression and suicidal compulsions. Those suffering from chronic pain can find a lot of relief just by sharing with others similarly afflicted.

Like my neurosurgeon would say ... "happiness is not having pain." 

Frank 

My spinal fusion occurred nearly nine years ago. I spent a decade prior seeing doctors with intermittent back issues. I was always told after x-rays that the problem was muscular, given pain meds and muscle relaxers, and sent on my way. Less than one hour before two discs disintegrated, i got the same story. After my surgery, I spent years in varying degrees of pain. I received spinal injections 3 - 4 times annually to try to cope.
I now use oxy as prescribed by my doctor. It doesn't take away the pain, but makes it bearable. I follow the scrip to the letter and I am thankful that I have it. Chronic pain is no joke. It doesn't go away, it wakes you from sleep, it is present every second of every day, affects your loved ones and robs you of the joy of life. Maybe TP's death was accidental. Maybe it wasn't. I can assure you that anyone that has dealt with this issue for a period of time has considered all means of making it stop.
 

Let’s talk about these old cocker- rockers who only feel comfortable touring no matter how much wealth they have accumulated. It’s their choice to continue to abuse their bodies doing the only job they know how to do and love. I used to race cars in the day, and the thought of putting myself back in that game is suicidal. I am not blaming these high profile types, but when you push yourself as an old man in a young man’s game stuff happens.

We all come on here to learn and/or impart a bit of audiophile knowledge, maybe share a new tweak, or discuss various audio equipment. Posts here run the gamut from helpful to humorous, revelatory to rude...Never have I stopped to think about the person behind the post. Until this thread, all I’ve ever seen is faceless words. The experiences and personal tribulations many of you have chosen to share, to me, are quite human and quite humbling. I have the good fortune of going about my daily life without such issues, and I forget how fortunate I really am. I wish you all better days than the last, and thank you for showing me more than just a screen full of words....

Just recently Eric Clapton said his hearing and very debilitating Tinitus and 
other physical  problems  with nerve damage in his hands .he is almost done 
with  playing music . A Shame withover 50  years of Classic Rock
Yardbirds, Cream, And  Lots of great music .  He just  did a nice bluesy Album 
a few months ago well worth buying  !!

thanks

Kosst, I am there in regard to the pain; severe constant pain has only been recent. In regard to "Addiction" I watched it with tearful eyes; a jazz musician I idolized was doing what he had to do right in front of me.

Somehow, back then, drug addiction, according to the public was restricted to "jazz musicians"

In this thread, we're riding in two completely separate trains going down parallel tracks. One is the victim of old age and constant pain that can only be relieved by 'drugs'. He is not trying to get high, he just wants relief from the pain. That might require more drugs than his system can handle, and he checks out.

On the other track is the young pain free (unless you count mental pain) person who wants to get high. But nobody told them about "addiction". Once that happens it all over until they OD. Apparently your wife was on this train.

The factual truth is that sweet living and eating America can’t endure any pain without beloved opioids without knowing alternatives. 
Tell ya what my dad didn’t have time ta tell those delicate, delusional, miserable folks in constant pain: THE SWEETER YOUR LIFE IS — THE LESS PAIN YOU CAN ENDURE 

I was airborne for about 100 feet after bike crash and had my 4 ribs cracked on one side 
I was prescribed opioids (percs) and had them going for few months 
i could stop it after a week or two, but for some reason kept going till realized I’m not in pain from ribs, but I’m in pain without them. 
Since endurance wasn’t new for me, it took 5 days of hell to remove and get free

I just finished listening to "Hard Promises". Then I looked at the album cover...

It's still hard to believe he's gone........

(Nice lp cover.)

Just finished, side one on "The Last DJ". 

Last track on side one...."like a diamond" ...almost brought me to tears.

I surely miss him.

+1 @slaw 

Wake Up a Time  is another song that really speaks for me.  He definitely could capture complex emotions and paint those feelings in music and words. Not a great voice but his expressive intonation carried feeling so well. I recommend the Soundstage Bluray to capture Tom live at his best.

@shadorne ,

You're post was well received.

I take your intent literally. (thank you!)

Been awhile since I checked in on this thread.
Reading jim94025’s contribution, (and response to my initial entry), I realize how oversimplified and cavalier my comment about opioids appears- I apologize.
In terms of overall pain management (especially long term), I agree totally with “Jim” -a  multifaceted approach should be the standard of care- with competent physical therapy, (where appropriate) as a center piece. PT is often under utilized and under appreciated in our medical system. Pharmaceuticals (opioid and non-opioid, prescribed and OTC), should be used judiciously and monitored closely. Even NSAIDs, while effective for many types of pain and non addicting, also have the potential for serious side effects if over or carelessly utilized. Medicine is a balancing act to optimize the benefit to potential risk. Combining different pharmaceutical pain control classes can allow you to use lower doses and/or longer dosing intervals to minimize adverse reactions while maximizing therapeutic effects, (and perhaps lower the possibility of addiction). 
I was only making that comment about opioids in that if I had severe intractable pain, say major trauma, broken hip, or a terminal cancer pain flare,
                              -“1000 mg acetaminophen PO STAT!” -
are not the orders I hope to hear as I’m wheeled into the Emergency Department.