Science
Why am I Ornery?
Why am I ornery? I get that alot. When I’m not writing this blog I’m in a pretty-good mood. This blog was very popular up until about 2013 when it was featured in a NYT story. My dad passed away Read more…
Science
Another Day, Another (Walgreens) Pharmacy Hassle
Here’s a surprise… patient’s who were addicted to opioids from the age of 15 and seek help at age 30 sometimes have issues. Some pharmacists seem to think that every patient should be perfect. Those of us who work in Read more…
Buprenorphine
How To Taper Off Buprenorphine or Suboxone pt. 1
Many patients taking buprenorphine live in fear of a dark world around the corner where they will have to taper off the medication. They see horror stories on YouTube posted by people who, for some reason, abruptly stopped the medication Read more…
Buprenorphine
A Person Doesn’t Like Taking Suboxone
I found this old post from ten years ago that I never got around to publishing it. A person doesn’t like taking Suboxone and blames the drug for the lack of change in his life. It plays into the discussion Read more…
Addiction
Can I Get High From Suboxone?
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 Read more…
Addiction
Pharmacists, Do Better
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 Read more…
Addiction
Get Help. Get Buprenorphine, Not Methadone.
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 Read more…
Clean Enough
Don’t Spend A Lifetime In Treatment
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 Read more…
Addiction
Methadone Treatment Can Become a Lifetime Curse
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 Read more…
Acute Pain
Pain Treatment Becomes More Rational
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 Read more…
Science
SuboxForum is….. Back! THIS time for SURE!
So sorry to promise and not deliver. “But you PROMISED!” I know. I screwed it up. But I made it better – honest! The Forum is back, this time for sure… on a secure server with SSL. Seriously!! It is Read more…
Science
Psychotherapies in Addiction Medicine
One of my favorite aspects of addiction medicine is the relationship that I am allowed to build with my patients. The relationships are different than in other areas of psychiatry, where the doctor is always working to maintain a certain Read more…