Menzies Gets it Wrong on Suboxone

In Opioid Addiction Treatment Should Not Last a Lifetime, Percy Menzies resurrects old theories  to tarnish buprenorphine-based addiction treatment.  Methadone maintenance withstood similar attacks over the decades, and remains the gold standard for the most important aspect of treating opioid dependence:  preventing death. All over again, Menzies gets it wrong on Suboxone. Menzies begins Read more…

Suboxone Detox is a Sucker’s Bet

First Posted 10/6/2013 I attended the US Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress meeting last week and actually attended the meetings (the event was held in Las Vegas), but I was disappointed by the absence of lectures about addiction.  There are other mental health groups geared more toward addiction, but one would Read more…

Suboxone talk

The Problems With Chipping Suboxone

One reply to my last post said I go ‘on and on’ about things that could be said with fewer words.  I asked the person to send me his/her version, and I hope he does—not to prove anything, but because I appreciate the chance to learn.  He wrote that his Read more…

Am I Addicted to Suboxone?

First Published 7/23/2013 I hear from the anti-buprenorphine people now and then, less than I used to.  I also hear from fans of this blog’s early days, when I routinely lost my temper in response to those people.  Their general line was that things on heroin weren’t all that bad, but Read more…

An Addict's Story

I received the following email last week.  I considered trimming it down, but the story is well-written and describes a history that is similar to that of many of my patients.  As usual, I will write a follow-up post in a week or so. Dear Dr. J, I have read Read more…

Short-Timers

Another question from a reader: The current blog brings up the notion of long term use of Bupe or short term detox.  You say you are a fan of long term use, and that is clearly a good thing when the patient is one headed back to a drug culture Read more…

Jerk Counselor

Every now and then I hear about a therapist or addiction doc who is doing such a disservice to the practice of addiction medicine as to deserve special mention.  This week’s award goes to a certain counselor at a treatment program in Oshkosh, WI, who I’ll refer to as ‘This Read more…

Making People Stop

Below is an e-mail that I changed just enough to hide the person’s identity.  Every week, I receive messages that describe similar situations. My husband has struggled GREATLY with substance abuse since in his 20’s; he is now in his mid-40’s. He is the kindest sweetest man and he is Read more…

Relapse in an Era of Buprenorphine

A recent experience with a patient helped me realize some of the dramatic differences in the treatment of relapse in an era of buprenorphine. I drug-test patients who are treated with buprenorphine or Suboxone.  The point of testing is not to catch someone messing up, but rather to determine when Read more…

Opioid overdose deaths

Consequences Section or OD Report

Weeks ago I posted a few new ideas—things like a memorial wall for victims of opioid dependence, and a ‘wall of shame’ for doctors who are known for reckless prescribing of opioids.  I mentioned these ideas over at SuboxForum as well. I received good feedback from readers here, and from Read more…

Scam City

When Suboxone first became an option for treating addiction to pain pills back in 2003, some people were excited about having a cure for opioid dependence. Those people were mistaken. It is true that Suboxone has been a huge benefit for treating opioid dependence, but the medication cannot cause the Read more…