Opinion ID: 3052709
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Dr. Andrew Weil

Text: Dr. Andrew Weil, an expert in substance abuse and addiction, reviewed McMurtrey’s medical records for June 29 to July 13, 1981. Dr. Weil noted that a number of the medications prescribed to McMurtrey — Valium, Dalmane, Librium, and Ativan — are “benzodiazepines within a subdivision of drugs called sedative hypnotic drugs.” Dr. Weil testified that these drugs are used either as nighttime sedatives or daytime anti-anxiety medications. He noted that these drugs are highly addictive and that they commonly “interfere with memory, ability to concentrate, and with intellectual function.” Dr. Weil admitted that the effects varied from patient to patient but stated that “it’s constant enough to be a major problem.” Dr. Weil testified that these drugs are problematic because they are among the most commonly prescribed medications and because of the “percentage of people who get them who suffer mental problems as a result of taking them.” Dr. Weil also stated that combining the drugs, in the manner prescribed to McMurtrey, is an additional danger. 11248 MCMURTREY v. RYAN