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EXPERT INSIGHT BLOG
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Using Sublocade May Be The Easiest Way To Quit Opioids
Sublocade Detox: Why This Injection May Be the Easiest Way to Finally Quit Opioids Most people trying to quit opioids hit the same wall. They taper down their Suboxone dose slowly over weeks or months, feeling worse with every reduction. Then somewhere around 2 mg, the opioid withdrawal symptoms become unbearable. Anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, nausea, a deep dysphoria that makes it impossible to function at work or take care of your family. So they go back up. And the cyc

Harold Pierre, MD
Apr 109 min read


Is Sugar Addiction a Substance Use Disorder
Is Sugar Addiction Real? What an Addiction Doctor Wants You to Know Sugar lights up the same brain circuits as cocaine. That's not an exaggeration. Animal studies show that rats given intermittent access to sugar develop binge eating patterns, withdrawal symptoms and dopamine changes that look disturbingly similar to what we see with drugs of abuse. I've spent over 26 years treating addiction, and I can tell you that the way some of my patients describe their relationship wit

Harold Pierre, MD
Apr 88 min read


Tiger Woods, Please Take the Magic Johnson Route
Tiger Woods announced he would seek comprehensive inpatient treatment overseas after his latest DUI arrest, and you already know what comes next. A flurry of headlines, a carefully worded statement from his PR team, and months of silence before the next golf tournament. That playbook hasn't worked. It didn't work the last time. It won't work now. There's a better path, and Magic Johnson already walked it. Magic Didn't Hide. He Led. In 1991, Magic Johnson stood in front of cam

Harold Pierre, MD
Apr 38 min read


What's Wrong With Tiger Woods and the DUI: An Addiction Doctor's Perspective
Why did Tiger Woods' breathalyzer test result in zero alcohol after his DUI arrest? From the perspective of an addiction medicine physician, Woods’ history of 12 surgeries and chronic pain points to a deeper, often misunderstood medical reality. Discover how his case highlights the hidden dangers of prescription painkillers, the physical "tolerance trap," and why compassionate, private treatment options like buprenorphine could be the missing piece to his recovery.

Harold Pierre, MD
Mar 2713 min read


Is MGM-15 A Dangerous Kratom Compound?
Key Takeaways: MGM-15 is a semi-synthetic opioid compound made from kratom alkaloids. It is not natural kratom. MGM-15 tablets binds to both mu and delta receptors with potency that exceeds 7-hydroxymitragynine and morphine. These products are already being sold online in the United States as "research chemicals," but make no mistake: people are using and abusing them. There is a serious risk of addiction, dependence, and potentially fatal overdose with MGM-15 products. Why T

Harold Pierre, MD
Mar 2710 min read


The Opioid Trap
A Mother's Tragic Story of Loss and Systemic Failure As an addiction medicine physician, I spend a significant amount of my time discussing the clinical pharmacology of opioids, the science of withdrawal, and the medical protocols for treating substance use disorders. I focus on my patients, the medical facts, and bring these together to help my patients succeed with sobriety. But sometimes, the most important and powerful lessons come directly from the families who have live

Harold Pierre, MD
Mar 252 min read


Does Alcohol Cause Breast Cancer?
Does Alcohol Cause Breast Cancer?: The Science You Need to Know From An Addiction Doctor Key takeaways: Alcohol significantly increases breast cancer risk , and there is no entirely safe level of consumption. The danger window between puberty and first pregnancy is a time of extreme vulnerability for breast tissue. Biological mechanisms , including elevated estrogen and phosphate toxicity, directly link alcohol to tumor growth. Reducing or eliminating alcohol is one of the

Harold Pierre, MD
Mar 206 min read


Should You Try Products Containing 7-oh or Kratom? FAFO
Is 7-OH the New Heroin? (2026 Warning) Key Takeaways: 7-OH is a highly potent kratom byproduct often sold as a dietary supplement but carries significant opioid risks. Products containing 7-oh are frequently found in gas stations and vape shops, marketed as safe alternatives. The FDA and health officials have issued warnings about 7-oh products due to their potential for opioid addiction , withdrawal , and severe health problems . FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has h

Harold Pierre, MD
Nov 18, 202511 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Vaginal Estrogen Therapy
If you're one of the many menopausal women experiencing changes that feel a little too personal to talk about, you're not alone. The...

Harold Pierre, MD
Aug 5, 20256 min read


Understanding Nitrous Oxide Addiction: Causes, Effects, and Recovery
Once known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide (N2O) has morphed into a troubling global drug issue. It creates a public health crisis that...

Harold Pierre, MD
Jun 16, 20256 min read


Systemic Mastocytosis: Understanding Mast Cell Activation and Its Impact
For many, the trouble begins with a collection of confusing symptoms—unpredictable allergic-like reactions, persistent bone pain, stomach...

Harold Pierre, MD
Jun 11, 20257 min read


Understanding Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia (HAT)
A Hidden Cause of Chronic Symptoms If you've been dealing with unexplained chronic symptoms like abdominal pain, flushing, fatigue, or...

Harold Pierre, MD
Jun 6, 202512 min read


The Dangers of Flakka: Understanding Its Risks
Flakka is one of the most dangerous street drugs and is indeed worse than cocaine. Known as alpha-PVP, this powerful synthetic cathinone...

Harold Pierre, MD
Apr 15, 20257 min read


Jax Taylor's Cocaine Addiction: Understanding the Impact and Finding Help
Every day, I read newly published addiction articles. This helps me stay updated on treatment discoveries that I can immediately use to...

Harold Pierre, MD
Mar 21, 202510 min read


Frequently Asked Questions About Methadone Treatment
Understanding Methadone Treatment Methadone is a synthetic opioid medication. It was invented in 1937 as a replacement for morphine,...

Harold Pierre, MD
Feb 24, 20256 min read


Residential Addiction Treatment For Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Does It Work?
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse , you may be looking into different options for care. One of the most...

Harold Pierre, MD
Feb 5, 202510 min read


The Truth About Drug Use In America. It's Worse Than You Think!
As 2025 arrives, I found myself reflecting on 2024's failures and accomplishments to formulate goals for this upcoming year. As I...

Harold Pierre, MD
Jan 3, 20257 min read


Does Buprenorphine Really Work? An Addiction Doctor's Perspective on This Life-Saving Treatment
The Rising Stakes in the Opioid Crisis You've probably heard about the opioid crisis on the news. But here's what you might not know:...

Harold Pierre, MD
Dec 20, 20249 min read


Puff Daddy, GHB Addiction and The Facts About Gamma Hydroxybutyrate From An Addiction Doctor
GHB Addiction and Abuse: Understanding the Risks and Realities of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Key takeaways: • GHB occurs naturally in our bodies but can be dangerous when used recreationally • While not widely used, GHB carries serious risks including overdose and addiction • GHB withdrawal can be intense and potentially dangerous Why Trust This Article: I’m Dr. Harold Pierre, a board-certified anesthesiologist and addiction medicine specialist with over 26 years of experience. I

Harold Pierre, MD
Nov 11, 20249 min read


The Importance of Testosterone Therapy In Menopause
The Surprising Benefits of Testosterone Therapy in Menopause Spotify YouTube ...

Harold Pierre, MD
Oct 14, 20246 min read
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