Drug abuse and addiction are not death sentences, though if left untreated they can be fatal. There are treatment programs designed to help the addict become free of drugs and return to a healthy, more productive life. The sooner someone seeks help, the better his or her chances of recovery. Denying there is a problem…
The following is an excerpt from Dr. Mel Pohl’s award winning book about chronic Pain Recovery, “”A Day Without Pain”. Scientists have long understood that the feeling of pain is located in the brain; hence, “no brain, no pain.” To understand the biology of pain, let’s look at what happens when you get a nail…
“I have had the benefit of consulting at Las Vegas Recovery Center, where Dr. Mel Pohl is the medical director and practicing physician. Clients arrive from all over the United States, usually having already experienced multiple methods of treatment. Most of the treatments have involved multiple surgeries, extensive dosing of pain medications, or some…
In August of 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced plans to classify the drug kratom as a “Schedule I” drug, which would place the substance in the same category as heroin, LSD, ecstasy and marijuana. Schedule I drugs, as defined by the DEA, are “drugs, substances, or chemicals with no currently accepted medical use…
An interesting and important interview with Larry Pinson, Secretary of the Nevada Pharmacy Board, Dr. Joe Hardy and Dr. Mel Pohl, Medical Director of Las Vegas Recovery Center.
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/335/6065/235 “This abstract is from an article in a recent edition of Science. It discusses “spinal memory” and opiates and asserts that opiates dampen pain temporarily but also erase the spinal memory trace. When pain registers in a nerve, it is like turning a light switch on. Ideally, when the pain passes, the light switch…
Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM Appeared on Channel 3 in an Interview about The State of Nevada Cracking Down on Overprescribing Prescription Drugs
The article linked to in last week’s post discusses the increase in deaths associated with the prescription drug abuse epidemic. In A Day without Pain (Revised and Updated) (ADWP), I discuss many aspects of pain management, including the use of prescription medication. There are many alternatives to treat pain, however, prescription medication is often seen…
You may have recently read about Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans whose untimely death was caused by “acute hydromorphone intoxication” and “chronic pain syndrome” according to the death certificate. The story is incomplete and may never be complete–but, clearly, this talented performer died as a result of taking a powerful painkiller, perhaps without a prescription.…
Chronic pain is experienced differently by each individual; however, everyone in chronic pain shares a common interest. We deal with pain and search for relief. Chronic pain can begin to affect anyone at anytime. We define chronic pain as pain that lasts longer than 6 months. Acute pain goes away, but chronic pain doesn’t. Common…