FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2009 

CHICAGO —Popular health expert Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the all-new daily syndicated series The Dr. Oz Show, will return to The Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday, September 29. Appearing via satellite from his own new studio at New York’s legendary 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Dr. Oz brings a wake-up call to millions of Americans in a special Oprah show called “Dr. Oz Reports: Prescription Pill Addiction in America.” 

During the hour, Dr. Oz issues a wake-up call about what he calls the “most under-appreciated problem in America,” prescription pill addiction. According to a 2008 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 50 million Americans have admitted to trying prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. What started out as legitimate and safe prescriptions for pills from doctors now has 6 million Americans addicted—becoming the new face of addiction in America.  

During the show, Oprah talks to Cheryl, a mom of four who says she swallows approximately seven thousand pills a year, and her son, who now shares her addiction. Cheryl’s 15-year-old daughter joins her on the “Oprah” show stage to issue a desperate plea that she hopes will save her family.  

According to Dr. Oz, prescription pill addiction is a “huge problem” that is “sneaking up on us because we’re not paying attention.”  He says, “If someone you love cannot go a day without pills or gets annoyed when you raise the issue or feels guilty about the whole issue of pills in their life, they are probably addicted—get them help.”  

“The Oprah Winfrey Show: Dr. Oz Reports: Prescription Pill Addiction in America” airs Tuesday, September 29, 2009 (check local listings).  

For more information visit www.oprah.com.  Also, follow Oprah on Twitter @Oprah or become a fan of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Facebook.  

The Oprah Winfrey Show  has remained the number one talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.* It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 215 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution and to 147 countries by CBS Studios International.

Source: 
*Nielsen Cassandra Ranking Report - Nov'86 to July '99 and Wrap Sweeps, Nov '99 to July '09. Primary Telecasts Only.

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