EXPERT
Dr. Richard G. Soper, MD, JD, MS, FASAM
Addiction Psychiatrist
- Nashville, TN
- Georgetown University in Washington DC
- Accepting new patients
Gender Differences with Substance Use Disorder
There are significant ways in which substance use disorder differs between genders. Depression is more frequent in women than in men; addiction is more frequent in men than women,...
Unpleasant Truths About Opioids
Over the past few years, I've lost track of how many times the opioid epidemic has, in one way or another (Prince, Fentanyl; Tom Petty, Naltexone and Buprenorphine), found its...
Stigma Kills
Why do families have to wait until their husbands, brothers, sons, or fathers die before they can talk about the disease that killed them? This past November, The National Academy...
Swallowing sperm
1- make sure U have objective proof your companion does not have any infectious medical problems ( HCV, HIV, HSV,yeast, bacteria or other. Intimate behavior and actions should be pleasureable and without negative consequences. and consensual
There are no known detrimental effects from ingesting male ejaculate. Basic guidelines can be found on several internet sources, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is reputable, reliable and nonjudgmental.
Explore and be creative-
What is the best way to stop alcohol addiction?
Is yoga a good way to get rid of an addiction?
My belief is that like all of us, anyone with a medical condition prefers to NOT be told what to do. Offer a suggestion or invite brother to consider the option of one tool amongst many that helps treat many medical conditions. Let him explore and decide, usually better chance of his accepting.
Than-you for the empathy and concern you have for brother. Be patient and kind- he will need lots of love and support to change his life pattern.
Can you fix drug addiction?
Let’s start with terminology. “can you fix it” would suggest something is broken ergo someone broke it and there is blame. If you had asthma or high blood pressure,( other chronic medical conditions - like addiction is) we would not ask it it could be “fixed” rather can it be treated or brought into remission. Like diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure addiction causes bodily changes and all can be treated. There are several options for treatment and some are more effective than others. You are NOT broken and do NOT need fixing, you have a medical condition and need treatment. It shows strength of character and quality of person to be seeking help as you are. I suggest U consider going on the American Society of Addiction Medicine website and search for a physician member in your area. Make an appointment with that physician when ready and discuss treatment options. Serenity-Courage- Wisdom: Doc Soper
Can you treat alcohol addiction?
Drug screening question.
Withdrawal
Why am I scared to ween off my bipolar medication?
Does taking antidepressants for years negatively affect your brain?
How do nicotine patches work?
My husband is trying to quit smoking. How can I help him?
Suggest he consider seeing his physician to discuss the options, patch, pill, gum, lozenges or combination. Discuss gradually restricting the locations where smokes, (ie- NOT inside home, in the car, in the garage) DO not buy cartons, it discounts monitoring per day use. Discuss with him the significant health benefits to stopping nicotine use. Be patient and supportive- it takes time and is a progressive weaning/tapering.
I'm concerned about how much my brother drinks. Is there anything I can do?
One very good and simple screen tool is CAGE:
C- Have you tried to CONTROL your drinking and been unable to?
A- Have others been ANGRY with you about your drinking?
G- Have you felt GUILTY about your drinking?
E- Have you ever needed an EYEOPENER?
Score yes=1, no=0
If the total score is more than 1, there is a problem with alcohol drinking, and seeking help is appropriate. If he has a primary care physician, that doctor can help. If employed, many employers human resource department can assist. If he has healthcare insurance, that company can assist in seeking help, and many communities have Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anom group meetings which can be resources for help.
Serenity, Courage, Wisdom,
Doc S.
What should I do to curb my withdrawal symptoms from smoking?
Combining the patch and gum has nearly a 80% success rate for stable abstinence, when used in combination for several months.
(4) Avoid using a "vap" as the literature is continuing to develop that "vaping" causes significant lung damage, and last week the first death attributed to vaping was reported.
Be patient, it is not a failure if you slip and have a recurrent use, stay with the goal of nicotine abstinence. Continue with progress, and you will get there. Doc S
How can I stop my husband from drinking?
If one is positive his drinking is a problem. If more than one is positive- he needs help.
You might discuss with your primary care physician what the options are for helping him. Most communities now have an physician-addiction medicine specialist with whom you could seek help. Contact the local medical association to obtain information. Most communities also have recovery groups, or known as 12 step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous which can also be resourced. You might also consider a 12c step support group, Al-Anon, which is for partners and family of individuals suffering form the medical disorder of alcohol dependence. Be patient and realize it is a medical disorder, not a character defect.
How should I counsel my husband to stop drinking alcohol?
I would strongly urge him to discuss with his primary care physician or a qualified addiction medicine specialist. Treatment options are available. One method of finding a specialist is to call your local or state medical association, or search websites like “find a top doc”
Also, I suggest you remember to do some self care. One of the available community resources for family members of an alcoholic dependent person is Al-Anon. You can find locations and time for Al-Anon meetings on the internet or check your local phone book.
Serenity- Courage- Wisdom; Doc S
Is hospitalization required to treat alcohol addiction?
Is sex addiction in women normal?
It is a subjective assumption for any of us to label someone’s behavior as an addiction when they happen to have a frequency of participation different than ours.
If your wife is maintaining a monogamous relationship but simply has a desire for more frequent intimacy than yours, I’d suggest open candid and considerate dialogue between the two of you and/or with a qualified professional to assess whether there could be changes each of you consider to improve and enhance your continuing relationship
Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse commonly co-occur with impulse control disorders, which formally include kleptomania, pyromania, and intermittent explosive disorder. Impulse control disorders are closely tied to conduct and disruptive disorders, and considered in the same chapter in the newest DSM, the DSM-5.Oct 14, 2018
Can you get withdrawal from suboxone?
What are some signs that someone is using flakka?
-Profuse sweating
-Disorientation
-Paranoia
-Extreme agitation
-Delusions
-Panic attacks
-Severe hallucinations
-Slurred speech
-High body temperature
I am addicted to junk food. Should I see an addiction psychiatrist?
1- More and more of your time and daily routine is spent thinking, procuring, consuming them cycle back to thinking, procuring....
2- Despite negative life consequences you continue us to participate in the behavior
3- You simply cannot get enough, or are developing tolerance you most likely have an addiction.
I would suggest to you, it is not uncommon to become addicted to food (the category or type is secondary). Food addiction is very prevalent in our culture, frequently clustered with
other self harming behaviors such as too little food (anorexia) or purging after consuming (bulimia) all categorized as having an eating disorder. I would agree with your query and advise you to seek help from a health care professional qualified and experienced with eating disorders. There are also 12-step recovery groups for eating disorders you can access.