Taking Your MAT Meds the Right Way: A Quick Guide (& Yes, We Need to Talk About Teeth!)
We talk a lot about the importance of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for stability, but we need to make sure you’re taking your meds the right way, every time. Correct dosing is what keeps cravings down & withdrawal away. Your safety is our priority, so we got the official lowdown from our NP on the best […]
Breaking the “No Meds in Recovery” Myth: Why Medications, Including Controlled Medications, Don’t Make You ‘Less Sober’
There’s a mindset that still shows up in a lot of “traditional recovery” spaces: the belief that if you take any medication, especially a controlled medication, you’re somehow “not really clean.” This attitude seems to become even more stronger regarding MAT/MOUD medications, in particular (& unfairly, I may add!) People hear things like: “You can’t […]
Your First MAT Appointment: What Actually Happens (No Judgment, No Surprises)
Walking into a MAT clinic for the first time can feel scary as hell, especially with all the rumors, stigma, & misinformation floating around. Lots of people imagine clipboards, lectures, very clinical setting & being judged the second they walk through the door. But the truth? Your first MAT appointment is maybe the first time […]
When Pain Is Real: Advocating for Yourself & Knowing What’s Right for You
Over the past decade, opioids & other controlled medications have become one of the most debated topics in healthcare. While there’s absolutely no denying that overprescribing, ignorance, & sadly even greed helped fuel the addiction crisis, the crackdown that followed has also hurt a lot of people who live with real, chronic pain or other […]
Why Waiting for Rock Bottom Is a Dangerous Myth
I’ve heard it too many times to count: “They have to hit rock bottom before they’ll change.” But I’m here to tell you, from both personal experience & professional truth, that “rock bottom” is one of the most dangerous myths we still repeat about addiction. The Truth Is: Rock Bottom Looks Different For Everyone. For […]
Addiction, Pain, & the Myths Keeping Us Divided
Why it’s time to stop spreading/listening to misinformation & start understanding each other. I’ve been seeing a lot of posts lately about addiction, recovery, & medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Sadly, a lot of what’s being shared, especially from some pain advocates & recovery influencers just isn’t fully true. It’s time to have an honest conversation. Not […]
From the Heart: National Fentanyl Prevention & Awareness Day
It’s National Fentanyl Prevention & Awareness Day, observed each year on August 21 as a grassroots effort to remember lives lost & elevate public understanding of this devastating crisis. Fentanyl remains the leading cause of fatal OD’s in the U.S., even in tiny amounts. A preliminary CDC report from August marks approximately 77,600 overdose deaths […]
OPINION-BASED POST | PLEASE READ – From the Heart: Fatal OD’s in QAC
I don’t post stuff like this lightly, but my gut says I have to say something. This is not to to spread fear, but to educate. Since the beginning of the year, Queen Anne’s County’s OD numbers had stayed pretty steady. Not good, not great, just holding. But in the last couple of weeks, something […]
Your Journey, Your Pace: Real Recovery Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
One thing I’ve learned over the years, personally & through working with so many people in recovery, is that healing doesn’t follow a rulebook. There’s no “perfect formula,” no “right” way, (no matter what some organizations may say) & certainly no timeline that fits everyone. But you wouldn’t know that from how some folks act. […]
Let’s Talk About Tapering: What It Is & What to Expect
At some point in your journey, whether it’s with MAT or another long-term medication, you might find yourself facing a new kind of step: tapering. It’s a word that can feel intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. I wanted to take a few minutes to break it down in real terms, because […]
