Catalytic anti-bodies?

[Kate]

Has anyone heard of a antibody being developed that consumes cocaine as soon as it enters the body. It is supposed to work continuously over a 30 day period. Meaning no matter how much crack you smoke you won't get high. Sounds too good to be true, huh?

[Annie to Ayesha.......... "doc" Dan and]

I'm pretty new to this site......and when I first started reading it, my reaction was similar to yours.  I thought (after reading the widomaker site)OH NO!  This is why I struggled in pain for 8 yrs. I have to admit I was somewhat angry.  But now that my condition has progressed to the point of needing surgury once again, I have been put on Vicodin for the first time (for mngmt. of pain) and I have learned a great deal about addictions.  I know that I could very, well , one day, be where these people are.  I tune in daily and have grown to have a lot of respect for these people in that I have the ability to put myself in their shoes.
As for Mr. Dan, You have worked very hard at educating yourself about addiction and/or mmt's. There is something that is very disturbing to me.  You take a very hard stance against pain medicine (short acting opiates).  You see, a couple of years ago I went from dr. to dr. for pain in my left knee, could hardly walk.  I have several other serious ortho problems,but this was the problem at the time.  They all took x-rays and said, "oh, it must be arthritis."  They sent me on my merry way w/ no pain medicine.  To make a long story short:  1 or 2 yrs later I found a GOOD Doctor who diagnosed the problem there on the spot and set me up for surgury.  Guess what, I had a torn acl, other torn ligaments, a bone spur and progressed arthritis,a screw that was sinking into the bone, etc. etc.  Do you realize how I felt.  I am in my early thirtys and need a hip replacement,( but wont get one till I'm in my 50s, because they dont work on younger people) and pain is to be expected, but w/ all this going on I'm scared that there is a life of suffering ahead and no telling what kind of restrictions the gov't will inforce, because of all the issues stated here.  I'm just a bit curious, if you were my doctor, what would you suggest I do??? Take Ibuprofen i'm sure.  I have real passionate feelings about this topic and I know i've taken up a lot of space, but please do reply.
Tom, I agree whole heartedly w/ your philosophy on the matter.  You speak sooo eloquently on the behalf of pain and pain sufferers.  I wish most doctors felt the way you do.  The pain clinicS I HAVE been to do not even prescribe REAL pain meds.  Well I would like to hear from all of you.  I guess I would just like to know what you all think is ahead of us w/ the gov'ts "war on Drugs," and how we will all be affected by it.  The Patients Bill of Rights doesnt seem to hold much water where I live.  Annie

[Brighty to Kathy]

God bless you too Kathy, and yes... God's grace IS sufficient. Thank you for that passage which I will keep for myself also. Love, Brighty

[Kathy, RN Addict]

I've just been reading thru these posts, seems to me that I can relate really well to several of you.  I started out doing the right thing-no dope at work, then I did just 1 or 2 Darvocet.  From there I progressed to 1 Percocet.  It took a couple of years to progress to 2 to 3 Percocet.  Then I crossed that final line-----Demerol and the quickest way to feel it. I used every rationale in the book, "I don't let my patients hurt, I deserve it because I go that extra mile, I have real honest pain, etc." The pain was real and it got worse and worse as my disease progressed.  After I was detoxed my head ached for 1-2 months, I thought it would never quit hurting, but it did.  I took the drugs, hated myself, and felt like a piece of **** so I had to take more to deal with the violation of my core values. It is the most vicious circle of them all.  I, personally, don't believe in Methadone, as it is simply trading addictions. But I can't make those chioces for anyone besides myself.  If I can get clean then anyone can as I have been using for about 30 years.  But it took rock bottom for me, I lost everything and very nearly went to prison for 10 years----because that's what it took for me. I think that I'm doing OK now but I tried everything-NA, AA, etc. finally I gave it to God and grabbed hold of one particular scripture that was sent to me-God once told Paul, "My grace is sufficent, my strength is made perfect in weakness."  When I found this promise I thought "I have plenty of that!!! (weakness) So far, I haven't picked up again.  Now it's been nearly a year and I have my Limited nursing license back and after 2 years at $6 to $8 dollar and hour jobs, $months living in a homeless shelter and many more "lessons", I begin a nursing job in 4 days, I have a apartment, and a car.  And I am thankful now for my little one bedroom apt and for my Escort (lol) and for the chance to make some money again.  But honestly I am so much better off, some days I actually think I like myself and I can look in the mirrow everyday, and those achievements are very important and came at no small cost.  I son't ever want to go back.  Getting high had not been fun for me for a very long time, don't get me wrong, I still have cravings and temptations but I try to claim God's promise that His grace is sufficient-everyday. Good luck and God Bless to all of us-----

[Kathy, RN Addict]

I've just been reading thru these posts, seems to me that I can relate really well to several of you.  I started out doing the right thing-no dope at work, then I did just 1 or 2 Darvocet.  From there I progressed to 1 Percocet.  It took a couple of years to progress to 2 to 3 Percocet.  Then I crossed that final line-----Demerol and the quickest way to feel it. I used every rationale in the book, "I don't let my patients hurt, I deserve it because I go that extra mile, I have real honest pain, etc." The pain was real and it got worse and worse as my disease progressed.  After I was detoxed my head ached for 1-2 months, I thought it would never quit hurting, but it did.  I took the drugs, hated myself, and felt like a piece of **** so I had to take more to deal with the violation of my core values. It is the most vicious circle of them all.  I, personally, don't believe in Methadone, as it is simply trading addictions. But I can't make those chioces for anyone besides myself.  If I can get clean then anyone can as I have been using for about 30 years.  But it took rock bottom for me, I lost everything and very nearly went to prison for 10 years----because that's what it took for me. I think that I'm doing OK now but I tried everything-NA, AA, etc. finally I gave it to God and grabbed hold of one particular scripture that was sent to me-God once told Paul, "My grace is sufficent, my strength is made perfect in weakness."  When I found this promise I thought "I have plenty of that!!! (weakness) So far, I haven't picked up again.  Now it's been nearly a year and I have my Limited nursing license back and after 2 years at $6 to $8 dollar and hour jobs, $months living in a homeless shelter and many more "lessons", I begin a nursing job in 4 days, I have a apartment, and a car.  And I am thankful now for my little one bedroom apt and for my Escort (lol) and for the chance to make some money again.  But honestly I am so much better off, some days I actually think I like myself and I can look in the mirrow everyday, and those achievements are very important and came at no small cost.  I son't ever want to go back.  Getting high had not been fun for me for a very long time, don't get me wrong, I still have cravings and temptations but I try to claim God's promise that His grace is sufficient-everyday. Good luck and God Bless to all of us-----

[Kathy, RN Addict]

I've just been reading thru these posts, seems to me that I can relate really well to several of you.  I started out doing the right thing-no dope at work, then I did just 1 or 2 Darvocet.  From there I progressed to 1 Percocet.  It took a couple of years to progress to 2 to 3 Percocet.  Then I crossed that final line-----Demerol and the quickest way to feel it. I used every rationale in the book, "I don't let my patients hurt, I deserve it because I go that extra mile, I have real honest pain, etc." The pain was real and it got worse and worse as my disease progressed.  After I was detoxed my head ached for 1-2 months, I thought it would never quit hurting, but it did.  I took the drugs, hated myself, and felt like a piece of **** so I had to take more to deal with the violation of my core values. It is the most vicious circle of them all.  I, personally, don't believe in Methadone, as it is simply trading addictions. But I can't make those chioces for anyone besides myself.  If I can get clean then anyone can as I have been using for about 30 years.  But it took rock bottom for me, I lost everything and very nearly went to prison for 10 years----because that's what it took for me. I think that I'm doing OK now but I tried everything-NA, AA, etc. finally I gave it to God and grabbed hold of one particular scripture that was sent to me-God once told Paul, "My grace is sufficent, my strength is made perfect in weakness."  When I found this promise I thought "I have plenty of that!!! (weakness) So far, I haven't picked up again.  Now it's been nearly a year and I have my Limited nursing license back and after 2 years at $6 to $8 dollar and hour jobs, $months living in a homeless shelter and many more "lessons", I begin a nursing job in 4 days, I have a apartment, and a car.  And I am thankful now for my little one bedroom apt and for my Escort (lol) and for the chance to make some money again.  But honestly I am so much better off, some days I actually think I like myself and I can look in the mirrow everyday, and those achievements are very important and came at no small cost.  I son't ever want to go back.  Getting high had not been fun for me for a very long time, don't get me wrong, I still have cravings and temptations but I try to claim God's promise that His grace is sufficient-everyday. Good luck and God Bless to all of us-----

[Ayesha Coxon]

It is addicts like that who get their hands on pain medicine, abuse it then make it virtually impossible for someone that really needs it to obtain it because Doctors are pretty skeptical to believe people because once again......people that abuse it.....like the hydrocodone queen.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Exactly. What about those of us that are chronic pain patients, and can't find pain relief because of drug seekers? What do they   do? They send us off saying they can't help they are afraid of us getting addicted,  so what do we do, we attempt suicide.  Thank God I found a compassionate physiatrist that put me on methadone and saved my life! Do you know how many commit suicide because of dr's that won't help!

Now I am healed ( had trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyaligia, and other probs), and am detoxing. But detoxing off methadone is so horrible, I've gone from 70 mg to now about 8mg. As you get lower it gets harder. I was just put on valium to help with the muscle hyperactivity/spasms  which seems to conflict with methadone..its driving me nuts. But methadone saved my life..

Chronic pain patients have a less than 1% chance of getting addicted people! Let them have a normal life!

Its ok to fully determine whether or not that person is a drug seeker.. but don't let someone go that is really in pain just because of your paranoia!
Ayesha
***@****

[Brighty to JB]

Excellent point !! There are more than a few reported fatalities due to mistakes in filling RXs in recent years. I am not at all confident to open a bottle and just pop it in my mouth... I think there is going to have to be better education for the public on this one. This is a true story...  my friend Michelle who lives around the block from me had 2 prescriptions filled for her self and one for her teenage daughter about 2 years ago. The one for the teen was an antibiotic and the 2 for herself were for acid reflux and migrane headache. The pharmacy put the migrane med in the antibiotic bottle and vice versa. My friend delivered the medicine for her daughter to the school nurse for dispensation during the school day. The nurse got a call from a teacher that the girl was asleep in class and would not wake up. The nurse re-inspected the med she had given the girl earlier and discovered the mistake. She called my friend who examined her bottle and found the antibiotic..... you can imagine all the problems... the first being that a poweful drug was given to an unsuspecting student, the second was the concern and speculation that the kid came under since so many teens have drug problems, the 3rd was the nurse nearly lost her job... and was temporarily suspended for not inspecting the meds before dispensing..... all of it turned into a big hoopla.... all because of a pharmacy mistake... and it was thankfully not a fatality. I think there are as many addcited pharmicists as there are nurses and doctors. I don't have an answer.... but open your bottle right when you pay and ask them to double check that they got it right. If we all did this it would keep them on their toes. TAke care, Brighty.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

This is one of the best threads I've read here.  What about the mistakes made at the pharmacy end?  I read that the rate of mistakes has gone up 300% in recent years, even with all the computerized information available.  We are getting it at both ends of the profession!

[Brighty to Kat, Vic Gurrl and everyone e]

I do appreciate all the replies... I think the point simply is that nobody is immune to addiction. I doubt that there are many young experimenters who are reading this board. I suppose we are all preaching to the choir :-))  I wish Betty peace and healing and yes, she did have her head on backwards... it's simply a side effect of chemical impairment.... makes anyone insane... she was so judgement impaired that she risked everything... but I don't think she lost... her final mistake is what got her help and the opportunity to find a path to healing. I suppose it's only speculation what caused her to begin drugs... but more than one or 2 already addicted persons has chosen the nursing profession like a ********* choosing to be a scout master. I am somewhat relieved to hear that some faciilties randomly test nurses.... but I do think it should be mandated... this could put the brakes on a few folks to get some help before they ruin someone elses life along with their own. I do know that the AMA is very against drug testing for doctors as a mandated type of thing. I am not sure what the arguments are but the fact is that the rate of malpractice is signifigant and you just can't rule out that some of them were impaired or sleep deprived from their own addictions. Peace and prayers to all. Love, Brighty

[Vicodin Gurrl to Dan]

Regarding your earlier post--RN's are routinely tested randomly for drugs, it is commonplace, at least in the facility where I am employed.  If a nurse is caught with a substance in her blood that she does not have an Rx for, she will be held accountable to the state BRN (Board of Registered Nursing).  She will also be prosecuted if she is under the influence of any substance WHILE working, unless she has specific permission from her doctor and her supervisors to be taking the substance.  Just thought you would be interested in having some additional information.  Regarding the above story about the nurse stealing drugs from the pyxis, this nurse must have had her head on backwards.  An RN from my unit lost her license for the very same thing about 2 years ago.  You WOULD have to be insane to steal drugs from your employer, especially in the manner desribed above.  It is a DEFINITE ticket out of the profession and a sure sign of a person who's life is spiraling scarily out of control.  I am thankful that even in the depths of my pain, this would never be an option for me, nor would taking narcotics out of the mouths of my patients, so to speak.  I suppose my professional ethics are (thank God) simply stronger than my disease. Peace...

[tom to Kat]

I remember hearing the stat that medical pros are 7 times more likely to become addicted to drugs than non-medicos. Access is everything, apparently.

[to Kat]

Thanks so much for posting this moving story.  These are the types of posts that help us addicts, not the type which glorify drugs.  Thanks again.  Jodie

[Kat]

Brighty,
It's very funny that you mention drug abuse among healthcare workers.  Not funny haha but funny as in a coincidence.  a nurse that I worked with at the Emergency Room just got busted for stealing Demerol.  I feel so bad for her because she has the disease of addiction and got carried away in supporting her habit. She was stealing for at least six months that they KNOW of.  I'll call her Betty for the story's sake.
Betty started out at the ER as a secretary (the position that I held there), co we worked closely together and became friends.  We weren't best friends but she was among the group of us that would hit the bars after a 12 hour shift and also after the various social functions to keep the festivities going.  Betty then applied for a postition as a Tech as she got closer to getting her nursing degree, but did secretary shifts as overtime. There wasn't a day that went by when you wouldn't see her there with her schoolbooks on the desk.  Trying to study in between registering patients, entering orders and answering the phones.  Everyone said they had never seen anyone study so hard.  She ended up in the ER for a terrible headache that she had had for almost a month.  Turns out she had Viral Menengitis.  She was seen by Neurology who treated her and she ended up out of work and school for almost 6 weeks.  thinking back, there was one day that she told me that the neuro told her he would not prescribe any more narcotics for her.  The neuro group at this hospital are a nasty, uncaring lot.  So, I really didn't think much about it.
After she graduated and before she took her boards she got letters of recommendation from ten different doctors to land her a job on one of the floors.  She was very well liked.  It's policy that no one can work in the ER as a nurse until they have at least two years experience on the "floors."  Well, being as liked and personable as she was and taking te initiative to take all the extra classes required to be an Emergency nurse, she managed to slip in and get a job as an ER nurse eight months after she got her degree.  This caused a riff with a lot of the othe nurses that had been putting in their time and waiting even after the two years to come back down to the ER.

Her best friend was in charge of the Pyxis, the machine that holds all the meds.  She noticed that the count was continuaously off.  The problem was though that there was no one RN's number the stood out.  It took them almost 7 months to figure out that it might be Betty.  So they watched her closely for six months.  One night, the Demerol count was way off.  When this happens, the nurses on that shift have to stay until something is figured out. Well, Betty had gotten off shift at 2:30am so was gone before the count was done.  One of the Nursing supervisors went into the supply room to look around for a lost case of meds or something. He saw about thirty butterfly needles in the Sharps container.  There are containers in every room but rarely do nurses dispose of sharps in the supply room.  That was reported, they finally let the night shift go home at 11am and they stepped up their investigation.
Well, Betty's habit go out of contreol and they finally had enough evidence to prove it was Betty.  She was using all her friend's and co-worker's ID numbers to access the Pyxis.  Well she used a nurse number on a day that that nurse had gone home sick.  Betty must have though she was still there but she had left over an hour before her number was entered in the Pyxis.

They called her into the office at the beginning of her shift just over a month ago.  All the Nursing Heads were there along with a DEA rep and the local police.  She denied it over and over until they told her about the day she entered the number of the nurse that had gone home.  They told her it was either rehab or jail.  they were nice enough to get her out quietly and without causing an embarrassing scene.

She is still in rehab, she was put into a 90 day treatment facility.  I have sent her cards and she has written me notes off and on, she seems to be doing well.  I do feel bad for her.  One day she had everything and the next thing her world was turned upside down.  She had to go home that day and tell her husband and her two teenagers that she is an addict.  She also had to tell them that she no longer has a job nor a nursing license.  They took her license away for at least 2 years.  Afte that she can only work in a facility that does not have narcotics or controlled drugs of any kind.  She worked so hard and lost it all because of her addiction.  She was only a nurse for two years.

I think about it and wonder how she got started, maybe it was from the menengitis.  But it obviously got pretty bad if she moved up to injectable demerol.  I have had demerol and I can't imagine working or feeling normal on it.  Her husbadn told some of the girls that have been helping out the family that she would be really bitchy at times.  Then she would go in the bathroom, lock the door to take a bath.  When she came out she was all better, upbeat, lively, full of energy.  She also used to leave her house to run to the ER to "get something she forgot."  The design of the ER allowed her to access a Pyxis in an area that is closed or used scarcely at night.

Myself, I was worried that I was becoming an addict, but I think I have it under control with the help of a great doctor.  I have Fibromyalgia, Arthritis in my small joints , cluster headaches and a small chronically infected kidney that causes me constant flank pain.  I told her in a letter I sent to her about my problems and told her I will be there for her if she needs to talk to someone who understands.

Addiction runs rampant in hospitals.  The funny thing is that there are two doctors that were put on suspension for prescription drug abuse last year.  These two doctors were famous for calling any patient that asked for pain meds or had pain with no concrete cause drug seekers and addicts.  I guess thay wanted to keep all the drugs for themselves.

Sorry this is so long...

[Frankinscense]

Thank you for the very informative post. I agree 100% of what you say. WE need more of the voice of reason at this sight.
Thanks again for your input.
Dan..

[Brighty to All--- Good Thread]

Thanks to all of you who reveal yourselves in this thread... it is very enlightning in helping me understand my opiate addicted daughter. Regarding the earlier section of the thread,....there are no social class or professional distinctions with this malady. It has no bearing on income level or if a person graduated magna *** laude.Millions of people have stressful jobs, not just nurses.  It has to do with the body human. The addiction rate among doctors and nurses is astounding. I have heard some say that the experimentation began in med school... and easy availability is another big factor. Some are "idealists" experimenting to understand how the drug would affect their patients. About 6 years ago I saw a one hour news documtary on the problem of nurses who are addicted. It was an incredible revelation. This particular show focused alot on demerol being the drug of choice. These were bright, high level men and women who did reveal that their addiction definitely imparted a degree of impairment to their work. I am not here to bash anyone but I do know that when I get on  a plane that the pilots are more likely to be drug and alcohol free. The FAA requirements are for regualr mandatory random testing... and all pilots can expect to be tested at any time... nobody gets missed. I am wondering why a doctor with a scalpel, ready to open up your body at 6 AM in an operating room is not required to be drug tested...and the same for a nurse who needs to administer the accurate dosages of the correct meds. They have a high rate of addiction and the malpractices do occur. I have seen a number of shows on the malpractices that occur  but never has anyone touched on the drug impairment factor being a possibility with doctors and nurses who make these life threatening errors. I am also curious if the sympathetic understanding of addiction is a factor in why some doctors dispense addictive drugs so easily. Just wodering what you all think. Love, Brighty

[To "Doc" Dan, CDCI, LCDI, CI, CDI, etc]

This thread has gotten to be almost as funny a joke as Doc Dan's numerous credentials. Personally, I find everyone's opinion to be useful in its own unique way. Sometimes a post just confirms my ideas about addiction, other times I find helpful advice and support from fellow addicts. Regardless, I simply take what I need and leave the rest. No need to criticize someone's opinion or struggle with a drug we all know can be utterly destructive.
However, with all that said, I must comment on Doc Dan's medical advice postings. And Tom, this will probably offend you, since you appear to be an active member in the Doc Dan Fan Club. But I have a REAL problem with people who 1) misrepresent themselves as medical doctors, when they might not even have a college degree, and 2) feel the need to list numerous credentials after their so-called informal nickname, while communicating with fellow addicts and friends seeking support and/or information. First of all--by listing your credentials, which seem to change depending on the thread (ie, various combinations of the letters C,D,I and L), you send a very subtle message that you know better than the rest of us. Is this something you really want to convey? Yes, you may have had some training, read numerous books, etc. However, there are other people who read this forum who might have a bit more academic and/or professional training, and when we see a person with an obvious inferiority complex displaying their credentials after every post--it garners quite a laugh. And then consider the folks who are desperately seeking advice. They might see that name (Doc Dan), and those ever-changing credentials, and they might decide to follow your advice without the assistance of a more qualified professional. And finally, by listing those letters after your supposedly informal nickname, you create a formality and sense of intimidation to your post (ie, I am DOC DAN, big 'ole CDCI...no, wait, LCDC...oops, almost forgot, LCDI--do NOT question my advice, do NOT second guess my words of superior knowledge. And most of all, do NOT think of me as your friend. After all, friends don't sign every single note with their credentials. That would be a sign of status...)
Okay, enough. I hope you understand my point. You say "Doc Dan" is a nickname...self-imposed? And now, in subsequent threads, that nickname has been abused and distorted. You can actually read threads where people ask Doc Dan to come forward and offer his medical opinion. Ha! This is my problem with internet forums. You get everyday Joe-Schmoe's posting as Doctors, or dirtly old men seducing teenage girls...Ya just never know.
I have an idea...why not sign your name "Dan?" Or maybe, if you really feel insecure and have the need to attach a title or some sense of self-importance, how about "Counselor Dan?" Oops, that might suggest that your an attorney. How about "Intern Dan?" After all, aren't we all interns of some sort? Just sort of living life to learn, watching each other and hoping to use our experiences to better our lives and those around us?

[Frankinscense]

Tom you are a friend That I only want the best for> You in fact know yourself better than anyone else. I respect you and your attempts to the right thing> I just get frustrated because I was where most of you are and wished I would have someone to xplain why I had pain and eventually became afflicted with the horrible disease. When we treat opiate addiction as a disease,we will start to understand it and get treatment. Getting the proper treatment will allow you to lead a more fulfilling life. Pain pills of the short acting type disturb the normal balance of neurotransmiters. This delicate balance is necessary to fight pain and to have normal feelings of well being.
Your Friend,
"Doc" Dan

[tom to Kimmie]

thanks, I needed that!

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Dont sweat or have your day bummed because of anything Dan says.  Whether he knows "HIS FACTS" and believe me I am sure he does.  Dont let anything he says freak you out. You know YOUR LIFE and YOUR SITUATION more than anyone else. Until your comfortable with your potential future no mini interventions will help you.  You will know when the time is right. I know you will know that because you sound like you are looking into everything in your area. I dont think you are BSing.  When the time and finances are right for you GO FOR IT and dont look back.  You know like "Run Forrest Run"! How cool would it be to start the year 2001 on your way to being clean. As I have said before there is more than just Dan looking out for you. So dont freak or think that you are letting Dan down or something. We are ALL pulling for you so dont let anyone get to you by making you feel backed into a corner.  Dan may know all the FACTS but only you know YOURSELF.
Sincerely,
Kimmie

[tom to Dan]

hey, don't give up on me, Dan. The clinic is a big unknown for me. I believe but cannot say for sure that I will be accepted in the program. I simply can't burn my bridges before I establish at the clinic. Once established, I intend to tell my doctor. But I have been through some outragious, caotic ****. I've been thrown back into hell before by seemingly arbitrary decisions made by the gatekeepers of various treatment programs. Too much is riding on this for me to just chuck my support system and walk blindly into the clinic. I still believe methadone is the answer for me, Dan. Try to understand. I will get there. It's just going to take a little more time. (There is a second clinic in my area which has a modem attached to the only published phone number, so I have not been able to make contact with them so far).
Hope this message finds you well.

[to Vicodin Gurll]

Buprenorphine has been available for quite a while for pain relief, under the trade name Buprenex.  It is currently not available in pill form in the US, but is instead injected under the skin (not intravenously).  It is simple to adminster to yourself, since all you do is put the needle under the skin (not in the muscle) in an area such as the front of your thigh.  Where Buprenorphine is becoming popular is for detox.  It is GREAT for detox, being a mixed agonist/antagonist.  What this means is it removes opiates from the receptors, while replacing them with itself.  The detox is virtually painless and symptom free in most people.  It can be done outpatient, through any reputable detox clinic; privately, through docs who have gotten DEA approval; and by docs who haven't gotten approval but will nevertheless prescibe it for pain, while knowing it will instead be used for detox.  Soon it will be available for ANY physician to prescribe for detox.  The reason it isn't currently, is that it is a narcotic.  Narcotics by law can not be used to detox an addict, without a special DEA license.  Because buprenorphine has such a low abuse potential (because you don't get "high"), the DEA is willing to make an exception for it to be prescribed by any doc, and this should go through soon.  If anyone wants to detox from a narcotic, rather than remaining on one or going on a new one (such as with methadone maintanence), they should find a place using buprenorphine.  It is by far THE best detox drug ever devised.

[Frankinscense]

I am not clear about the facts Buprenorphin. It apears to be becoming more mainstreamed. I know it is available for pain. But not sure if a family doc can prescribe it for opiate addiction.
Dan...

[Frankinscense]

Tom I do not know what to tell you. Why would methadone not work for you? It is one of the stongest pure agonist opiates available. I think(correct me if I am wrong) that you are not wanting to truly commit. You are still not convinced-of what I have told you. I am tired of these people who know nothing of the pathology of opiate addiction coming here telling me about the inaccuracy of the information I am providing.
  I know that opiate addiction is a disease that is kept going by a very srong reinforcing stimilus. People feel threatened by  information and do only what they know. They tell me my information is inaccurate. I will not sit here and discuss my credentials and my education. But I have done research well beyond what my education has requested. I have talked to many doctors and so called experts, and it is my opinion that very little know about the pathology of opiate addiction. I have spent hours researching the causes of opiate addiction. I have told you the names of the doctors who know the most about opiate addiction and and opiate agonist therapies. Buprenorphine is only available for addiction to a few selected treatment facitilies and not the general public. I want to help a few who will listen. There seems to be a trend with some of the posters to discredit me. I KNOW MY FACTS!!
  I wonder at times how much information that clinics and doctors are providing in regards to MMT is accurate. I know that there are very few who know facts about methadone and why and how it works. There is a chemical imbalance that is in some people in their genetic makeup. Abuse of opiates cause this imbalance and this in turn is why addicts abuse these substances. Responsible use of opiate agonist treatments will allow the brain to slowly correct this imbalance. Abuse of  opiates keeps the disease active. MMT and LAAM keep the disease in check.  Again these therapies allow the brain to reorganise these valuable and very important neurotransmitters. There are many N/T's that are effected by opiate abuse and continued daily use. I have been saying endorphins in hope people will grasp what I am saying.  There are many N/T,s envolved not just the endorphins and enkephalins. It seems the more I try to explain to people at this site the reason for their addiction the more I get flammed. My intentions are only to help people understand this horrible disease and not to get anyone dependent on MMT. Until there is a better solution, this has proven itself, the only solution to this problem. This is supposed to be a site for support and solutions to this disease. When I first posted here I saw people encoraging drug abuse. That is what moved to post a message here.
  MMT like all opiates are hard to detox. But like this previous poster claims MMT is the hardest. This statement is wrong. All opiates of the agonist type are hard to detox. None that are used for maintenance purpose,whether its morphine or methadone are easy to detox because of the pathology of opiate addiction.    Morphine was used in the twenties by a doctor in Louisana and was somewhat effective. But none have been as effective as methadone in controlling the ups and downs of this addiction. Methadone curtails the cravings of this disease while letting you lead a normal life. It seems that when a short acting opiate is used such as morphine, all the users would do is sit around and wait for their next dose.  MMT/Laam allow you  to forget your cravings and carry on with your life. What I just described is documented facts about methadone and morphine maintenance. There are detoxes that I have experieced with MMT that are somewhat physically painless. I have written too much here or I would describe them. Another time if you request I will describe them. I will only spend time explaining these help procedures, only if requested. By you or anyone else. I have better things to do than get flammed by people who no nothing  of what they speak. It the guy who posted about MMT had a hard time detoxing: Two reasons, he did it to quickly or he did not have the proper treatment for his detox!!
Sincerely,
"Doc" Dan CDCI
    PS: MMT IS for people who tried and failed after several attempts to remain drug free and not for the casual opiate/narcotic abuser.

[to Vicodin Gurll]

First off, if you read my post again, I said most of the addicts here would be best served with buprenorphine for DETOX.  And yes, it is available in the U.S. both for detox AND pain managment, under the trade name Buprenex.  Secondly, you quite obviously have never detoxed from Methadone.  Otherwise you would not say it is "tolerable."  Tell that to the tens of thousands who have been unable to detox from methadone.  It is BY FAR, the worst drug to detox from.  So, Tom, if you are going to go on it, consider it a lifetime of using it.  Finally, research is essential to people before they get on methadone, since it is so hard to get off of.  The reason I posted is because people were getting only a one-sided view of methadone, from you.  I'm happy it works well for you.  To me and many others it was a horrible experience.  Best to you all.