This Film Is Far from a Joke

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / February 8, 2020 /
The Joker

This article, in a slightly edited form, first appeared on Pain News Network on February 8, 2020. Good films entertain. Great films inspire. Sometimes, they even galvanize people to create a social movement against injustice. I recently saw one of those rare movies that fall into the category of movies that can inspire: Joker. The…

Read More

A Veteran’s Story in His Own Words

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / February 1, 2020 /
veteran

Policymakers have changed the way patients who have chronic pain are treated. The 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain has had a domino effect on policies throughout the country. Unfortunately, veterans have been particularly affected. I have heard of many vets being told they no longer would be prescribed opioids or benzodiazepines.…

Read More

Frances: A Cautionary Tale

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / January 25, 2020 /
health care proxy

States can give strangers control over a debilitated person’s money, home, and health care treatment. Referred to as guardians, they are professionals who handle the affairs of the elderly.

Read More

The Reason People Become Addicted Is Multifactorial

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / January 18, 2020 /
addiction

Debunking the Myths About Why Opioid Addictions Develop

Read More

The Most Addictive Drug in the World

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / January 11, 2020 /
caffeine is addictive substance

A combination of genes and environmental factors may put some people at risk of developing a caffeine addiction. The fact that it’s “only” caffeine or that it’s legal to buy caffeine doesn’t mitigate the dangers.

Read More

Flushing Out the Truth About Disposing of Pain Medications

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / January 4, 2020 /
unused medication

The FDA believes that the risk of harm from overdose is greater than the danger the drugs present to the environment. That is why the FDA recommends flushing them down the toilet—which puts the drugs in contact with our water supply. 

Read More

The 2019 Event with Major Impact for 100 Million Americans

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / December 28, 2019 /
justice for patients with pain

Groundless accusations, media support of the accusations, and the enormous financial backing of a false narrative exploit the weaknesses of our civil and criminal systems.

Read More

Center for Effective Regulatory Policy & Safe Access (CERPSA)

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / December 21, 2019 /
CERPSA

People in pain deserve humane and compassionate treatment. However, in this anti-opioid climate, they haven’t always been able to receive it. Stephen Ziegler, Ph.D. founded the Center For Effective Regulatory Policy & Safe Access (CERPSA) to evaluate new, and existing, drug control policies through science-based research, and to communicate its findings to policymakers. CERPSA’s goal…

Read More

Living With Pain During the Holiday Season

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / December 14, 2019 /
Holiday Season

The holiday season has officially begun, but that doesn’t mean everyone is healthy enough to celebrate. Pain does not take a vacation or even ease up in honor of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or any other holiday.

Read More

Opioids Are Not the Only Pain Medications That Can Be Abused

By Lynn Webster, M.D. / December 7, 2019 /
Gabapentin and Baclofen

This article, in a slightly edited form, first appeared on Pain News Network on December 7, 2019.   Contrary to popular opinion, opioids don’t cause substance abuse. Opioids certainly may be abused, but it is human biology itself that drives drug abuse. We often get the message that any pain treatment would be better than…

Read More

Blog Subscription

Name(Required)

Archives

Categories