A couple comments for regular readers… first, watch for an upcoming change to a new name. For years I’ve debated whether to adopt a name centered on ‘buprenorphine’, rather than the more-recognizable ‘Suboxone’. I believe that time has come. Second, I’m going to ‘reset’ with some introductory comments about the proper approach to treating heroin … [Read more…]
I just noticed a couple of my recent posts…. these people have it wrong, and that person has it wrong. One of these days I really need to print something positive and uplifting. But not today. Excuse the self-flattery, but I like to think of myself as a physician scientist. That concept motivated my PhD … [Read more…]
An Article by Mike Berens and Ken Armstrong, Seattle Times, discusses some of the problems with using methadone as a first-line treatment for pain: When it comes to battling pain, Washington health officials have encouraged doctors to reach for methadone, a powerful and inexpensive prescription drug. For the past decade, the state has declared methadone … [Read more…]
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 the BEST husband and father. … [Read more…]
I’m not sure about the make-up of readers of this blog. I know that there are about 20,000 page views each month, but I don’t know how many are by people addicted to opioids, people taking buprenorphine, family members of addicts, or physicians who prescribe buprenorphine. If you fall into that latter category– i.e. if … [Read more…]
Much thanks to a reader for sharing a story out of Maine from several months ago. The story refers to a common situation that doesn’t really register unless one happens to look at things with a different frame of reference. The story refers to a woman jailed for driving on a suspended license. The local Sheriff … [Read more…]
A presentation at a recent meeting of ACOG, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, compared the use of buprenorphine or methadone for treating opioid addiction during pregnancy. I hear from pregnant women often, who write out of frustration that their OBs have never heard of buprenorphine or Suboxone and asking what they should do … [Read more…]
A reader wrote with a question that I don’t think I’ve addressed on the blog. Do you have a threshold for how much narcotic a patient must be using before you will put them on buprenorphine? I am concerned about narcotic addicts that are using 6-10 Vicodin (hydrocodone) a day for example. Many have very … [Read more…]