Sorry about the re-run—I wrote this several years ago, and I still agree with the concept of ‘dynamic character defects.’ As I read it now, I recognize how things have changed; buprenorphine (Suboxone) has been incorporated into many of the major treatment centers, and even the smallest programs have at least become familiar with the … [Read more…]
Medpedia has been expanding on a number of fronts, with a ‘wiki’ approach to all things medical– including addiction. This blog— Suboxone Talk Zone– will be included in the News and Analysis section of the site; I also hope to submit content and contribute to our knowledge base about opiate dependence going forward. I invite … [Read more…]
A couple people have written to me saying that while I sound a bit ‘defensive’ and as if I am taking things personal, they like it when I let my true feelings out– including my anger. If you are one of those people…. read on. I will say, though, that I realize that there are … [Read more…]
I just got back from Chicago, where I spent the day learning about ‘best practices with Suboxone’ with the people from Reckitt-Benckiser. I feel an obligation to share my experiences with those of you who are so strongly connected to the efforts of R-B —and I am not referring to owning stock in the company. … [Read more…]
I brought a note from the ‘comments’ section up here because it presents a topic that comes up over and over with opiate dependence and Suboxone. I am the expert on MedHelp.org’s addiction forum; I get questions and comments like this one quite frequently on that site– although I have addressed the issue so many … [Read more…]
On a message board called ‘opiophile’, a person wrote about being a long-term opiate addict, then taking methadone for a couple years, then going on Suboxone for a couple years. He eventually stopped Suboxone, and had a miserable period of withdrawal… which never, by his recollection, ever totally went away. He works for the Democratic … [Read more…]
Addiction is a chronic relapsing condition; opiate addiction in particular is characterized by cycles of dependence, withdrawal, and relapse. Treatments to date can be separated into the ‘detox’ stage, the ‘treatment’ stage, and the ‘maintenance’ or ‘relapse prevention’ stage (not to be confused with the term ‘maintenance therapy’ as applied to medications such as methadone). … [Read more…]
I talk quite a bit about the letters from ‘flamers’, but don’t often mention the messages of support from grateful people on Suboxone, and the nice comments from my patients. I enjoy speaking to patients on Suboxone about the things said for example by the silly pharmacist in the last post, and as I try … [Read more…]