The Easiest and Fastest Way to Detox Off Opioids
These were not my words, but the words of a patient who completed a 5-day opioid detox with us a few weeks ago. A couple of years ago, his detox would probably have been 3 days—he believed he was using a gram or a gram and a half of heroin a day—but when fentanyl was...
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...
The Single Most Important Thing to Know When Detoxing off Opioids, Alcohol, or Benzos
A body, left to its own devices, manages pretty well. Breathing, digestion, circulation, and metabolism are all nicely orchestrated with only the minimal input from the inhabitant of said body. A little food, a little water, a little oxygen, and the body is good to...
