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Pseudoaddiction- When Pain Management Fails

October 9, 2009 by

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This week Dr. Gracer covers “pseudoaddiction”, a too-common condition in which a true pain patient is undertreated and starts acting just like an addict. This can happen when a person needs more medication than what is prescribed and lands up in their doctor’s office early asking for more medication; or they may find themselves in the ER. They may even start “Doctor Shopping”. Many land up in drug rehab. Meanwhile, they still are experiencing severe pain.

Doctor Gracer interviews Stan, one of his patients, whose experience may sound familiar to many of you. It illustrates how important it is for practitioners to distinguish between under-medication, drug dependency, and addiction.

This is a fascinating show that will give much important information about this important subject.

More about the Interviewee
Stan (name changed) is a former cabin attendant for Qantas airways who has suffered form severe sinus problems. He has had 5 major surgeries and is in constant pain. He has no addiction history or issues, but landed up in detox instead of getting proper pain management.

Learn More by Visiting GracerMedicalGroup.com
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About Richard Gracer

Richard I. Gracer, MD, is the founder of Gracer Behavioral Health Services, an innovative and comprehensive substance abuse program that stresses the reduction of cravings, and has been in medical practice since 1974. He is certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Practice, and a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management. He edited Beating the Years, Beating Sports Injuries, and Beating Back Pain (Barron’s, 2003,2005, 2006), and wrote the popular “Ask the Doctor” column in the Lamorinda Sun for 10 years. He is the author of A New Prescription for Addiction.

Dr. Gracer is also the Host of A New Prescription for Health on WomensRadio. A New Prescription for Healthfeatures discussions with noted experts, both researchers and practitioners, on cutting edge, holistic, and comprehensive treatments for pain and addiction. Aimed at the educated person seeking more information, this series provides hard-to-get information and insights, including interviews with actual patients, on treatment of these difficult and pervasive problems.

Email Dr. Richard Gracer by clicking HERE.