Crime of the Century: Addiction Is Not That Simple
Crime of the Century had the opportunity to debunk myths about addiction. Instead, it confuses the terms addiction and physical dependence and propagates misinformation.
Read MoreTrading One Crisis for Another Is No Answer to the Opioid Epidemic
This article, in a slightly edited form, first appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on May 20, 2021. Many years ago, I took on an unforgettable patient (“Jack”) who was on a high dose of physician-prescribed opioids. He wanted me to continue his high dosage. But I was unsure whether the benefit of doing…
Read MoreWhat HBO’s “Crime of the Century” Doesn’t Tell You
The use of opioids was not a crime then, nor is it today. However, the failure to appropriately treat chronic pain when it is possible to do so should be a criminal offense.
Read MoreConsequences of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
In my view, it was a mistake for the CDC to publish the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain in 2016.
Read MoreA Drug Problem Isn’t a Moral Failing
We may never know why Rush Limbaugh made the choices he did. But, just as we would never think of berating him for falling victim to the lung cancer that took his life, we also shouldn’t chastise him for misusing painkillers.
Read MoreCOVID-19 and People in Pain
I wanted to share an article that I recently wrote for The Pandemic Lens. It is a curated venue where selected photographers, painters, writers, and other artists can present works that express their reactions to the pandemic. I was honored to be asked to participate. This article, in a slightly edited form, first appeared on…
Read MorePause
I am taking a pause in writing blogs, columns, and editorials. I sincerely want to thank everyone who has followed me. I hope you all will continue to seek factual information. Please know that my commitment to the pain and addiction community is as strong as ever.
Read MoreThe Devil Effect and Patients with Pain
The belief that Big Pharma is inherently bad makes it difficult to appreciate the good things (such as vaccines and cures for diseases) that come from Pharma and separate them from the bad things (such as the negative consequences of some drugs and apparent greed).
Read MoreAre We Living in the Matrix?
A recent Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” illustrates how social media networks are selling each of us as commodities to advertisers. Tristan Harris, a former Google employee, points out that platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram make money by allowing advertisers to target only those who are interested in their messages or products
Read MoreThe American Medical Association Takes on the CDC Opioid Guidelines
The new recommendation offered by the AMA holds to a long-held belief by many physicians with expertise in pain and addiction medicine that patients with a current, or a history of an, opioid use disorder should receive effective pain care, including opioid therapy, when clinically indicated and in consideration of known risks and benefits.
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