Opioid and opiate pain medications (such as morphine, dilaudid, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, etc.) have been used for thousands of years to treat chronic pain. Science now shows us that these medications alone are not an effective treatment for pain. For this reason, and because of their serious side effects, opioids are being prescribed less and less. Many patients find that once they stop using opioids (under the guidance of their physician), they feel more energetic and their pain is no worse (new research shows that it is often better!). Since opioids do not heal the underlying source of pain, they can reduce symptoms only briefly, if at all, and therefore have very limited scope as a treatment. We support our patients’ well-being by promoting effective, sustainable treatments and by empowering them to walk their own path toward optimal healing.
Dr. Siefferman is trained to treat people who still have pain, even on high doses of opioids.
Patients on opioid therapy must agree to and sign the Opioid Agreement, as well as an Opioid Therapy Informed Consent. Breach of the agreement may result in immediate discontinuation of opioid therapy.
For those wishing to come off of opioid pain medications, there are many options for in-office detox which are comfortable and significantly limit any side effects of tapering off the medication. Buprenorphine or Suboxone ® is also available for those who are unable to fully come off of opioids.
