Can a person get high from Suboxone or buprenorphine, the active part of that medication? I suspect most pharmacists, police officers, and legislators would answer ‘yes!’, but the answer is more complicated. The people who serve patients who take Suboxone should learn how the medication works, when it is dangerous, Read more…
This is a ‘bone to pick’ post. Yesterday a patient who has done well on buprenorphine for the past 6 years shared his pharmacy experience. His experience is typical of whatI hear far too often. I understand that pharmacists are overworked and understaffed, but the complaints I hear so often Read more…
In the first part of this series I described my experiences working in methadone-assisted treatment, including aspects of that industry that, in my opinion, warrant serious consideration. In the second part I described steps that potential patients can take that might help them avoid spending their entire lives attached to Read more…
I described how seeking methadone-assisted treatment for OUD can lead to a lifetime dependency. Informed patients can take steps to reduce that risk of life-defeating attachment. Clinics could do the same, although doing so may harm the business model of some companies. People entering treatment, follow this advice so you Read more…
I know. Nothing brings out the boo-birds like a negative story about methadone. For the record I agree that methadone treatment, properly provided, is a vital and life-sustaining weapon against opioid overdose deaths. But too often, methadone treatment can become a lifetime curse. This is long because the story is Read more…
I’ve spent 15 years treating addiction, mostly to opioids. I’ve worked in residential treatments, methadone programs. I have testified in cases related to overdose deaths. I know the harm that is possible from excess opioid precribing or use. But I also hope that some day, pain treatment becomes more rational. Read more…
In The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s character Mike described becoming bankrupt in two ways – gradually and then suddenly. That line is validated in finance, healthcare, social sciences, and technology. Earlier posts in this blog, continuing a narrative that began on my practice homepage, describe my getting sick two ways. Read more…
COVID played havoc in our lives for almost three years. Besides killing over one million Americans and many others around the world, COVID, assisted by politicians, led to needless division among Americans. As I wrote my last couple posts, I was fully aware that half of the country would dismiss Read more…
I like to write because it clears my thoughts akin to the journaling often recommended by therapists. I compare writing to psychotherapy, where telling one’s story helps a person sort things out. AODA counselors often do supportive therapy, mirroring and clarifying what a patient says. As I have explained in Read more…
As one last self-obsessed post about my health, I’m doing much better. I have been back in the office for a few weeks now. I’m not splitting the atom after all; all I have to do is sit and listen. Did I mention that I love my job? I have Read more…
I’ve been slow to adopt new technologies for doctor such asn electronic medical records and electronic prescribing. I’ve been in the front edge of tech since the mid-1980’s, when I wrote my grad school thesis on a ‘Mac’ that had a full 128K of RAM. I got the upgrade to Read more…
On Sundays I like to listen to my favorite podcasts. I’ve shared my favorite investing podcasts, including Financial sense and Macro Talk. The first of those has paid and free content, and every other week the end of the free Saturday podcast includes a ‘macro’ section. I’ve described what macro Read more…