Harm Reduction: Healthcare Stigma and MAT discussion with Taylor Nichols, MD

Collateral Damage: Addiction, Recovery & all the shit in between

Summary

Brandi Mac (Host) is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and mother of an adult child in recovery from substance use disorder.

Dr. Taylor Nichols, a certified addiction physician and ER doctor, discusses his journey from working in the emergency department to specializing in addiction medicine. He shares his experiences of seeing the broken healthcare system and the harm it causes to people who use drugs. Dr. Nichols emphasizes the importance of harm reduction and reducing stigma in healthcare. He also addresses misconceptions about medications like Suboxone and buprenorphine and provides insights into managing pain in patients with opioid use disorder. In this part of the conversation, Dr. Taylor Nichols discusses the process of tapering off opioids, specifically focusing on the use of buprenorphine and the medications Sublicade and Brixadi.

He explains how buprenorphine works to replace opioids in the brain and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Dr. Nichols also discusses the challenges of tapering off fentanyl and the importance of finding the right dose of buprenorphine to effectively manage withdrawal. She highlights the Bernese method as an alternative approach to tapering and explains the differences between Sublicade and Brixadi. Additionally, Dr. Nichols addresses the concerns of families and loved ones of individuals with substance use disorder, emphasizing the importance of supporting the individual's goals and providing them with evidence-based treatment options.

Dr. Nichols TikTok: Click Here

Dr. Nichols Website: Click Here

Recovery Reform Podcast by Dr. Nichols and McCauley Sexton: Click Here

Recovery Reform YouTube Channel: Click Here

Article: Naloxone to Buprenorphine

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:46 Harm Reduction and Stigma 10:38 Respecting Autonomy and Challenging Stigma 14:46 Debunking Misconceptions about Naloxone and Buprenorphine 18:23 Physician Fear and the Opioid Crackdown 25:16 The Functionality of Naloxone in Suboxone 32:54 The Ceiling Effect of Buprenorphine 36:26 Managing Pain in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder 38:25 Understanding the Role of Buprenorphine 41:21 Managing Withdrawal Symptoms 44:04 Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine 50:43 Comparing Sublicade and Brixadi 55:27 Supporting Individuals and Families 01:02:16 Empowering Individuals to Make Decisions