Alcohol Use Disorder: Easy to Meet Criteria
A lot of patients I see don’t really know they may meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. I can tell you that it’s not that hard to qualify, and more and more people are entering the ranks. From 2001 to 2012, the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) increased...
Getting Energy Back After Ending Methadone Use
Ramon decided to stop taking methadone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Was it essential or was it elective? Perhaps in Ramon’s case, it was a bit of both. Going to a methadone clinic was never what he pictured for himself. Ramon’s story includes neck and back surgery,...
What Trumps the Fear of Stopping Methadone
I was moved to write a letter to a patient who completed an Accelerated Opioid Detox off Methadone last week. She is in the Post Acute Withdrawal (PAWS) stage, which can be very challenging. I have changed the name of the patient, but wanted to share the sentiments...
How Do I Get Off Methadone?
I had the pleasure of seeing my patient Isabel (not her real name, but I love this name) in the office for her regular monthly Vivitrol injection. Vivitrol is a long-acting, injectable form of naltrexone. Naltrexone is an opiate blocker, also called an opiate...
