The Dismantling of Pain Care by Addiction Medicine, And the Patients Sacrificed. A Decade of Harm.

This episode documents how pain care in the United States was dismantled, not accidentally, but through deliberate policy choices that elevated addiction medicine over pain treatment and left millions of patients behind.Bev Schechtman, Vice President of The Doctor Patient Forum (DPF), walks through the history of opioid policy, the rise of addiction medicine’s influence over pain care, and the real-world consequences for patients and doctors. This includes how clinical judgment has been replaced by fear, risk profiling, and enforcement-driven medicine.The discussion covers:How the opioid crisis narrative reshaped pain careHow CDC prescribing guidelines moved from recommendations to de facto lawHow litigation, settlements, and funding structures reinforced opioid eliminationHow algorithms, risk scores, and liability concerns now override patient careAnd why patient harm has never been measuredThe episode also includes a first-person account of being denied pain care in the emergency room despite documented kidney stones, not based on medical findings, but on trauma history and perceived risk.🎧 Source & ContextThis episode is drawn from a live X Space hosted by Dr. Liza Lockwood, featuring patients, physicians, and advocates discussing the realities of pain care under current policy.Watch full X-Space discussion: https://x.com/DrLizaMD/status/2009384856409506119?s=20💜 Support our work & access deeper discussions:https://patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum📌 Share your story:https://thedoctorpatientforum.com/submit-your-story/At The Doctor Patient Forum, we preserve patient stories because harm was never measured, and history is being erased in real time.

Why are pain patients treated like criminals, while people on Suboxone are celebrated as brave survivors?This isn’t just stigma, it’s a system. One that quietly rewrote the rules of who deserves compassion... and who gets discarded.In this video, we introduce a lens called Critical Drug Theory, based on Critical Theory, which helps explain how power, identity, and moral narratives shape public policy. It’s a way to understand why people with addiction are often seen as victims in need of care, while stable pain patients are labeled as privileged or problematic, even when both need medication.We break down how these narratives gained power, how they’ve influenced opioid policy, and why the system was rigged to treat pain relief as dangerous, but daily addiction treatment as virtuous.This video gives language to something many patients have felt but couldn’t name. It’s not political, and it’s not a conspiracy. It’s just the truth about how we got here and who got hurt along the way.🎥 Originally released as a Patreon exclusive, now public so more people can see what’s really going on.👇 Join our community & support the work:https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum📌 Visit our website:https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/📢 Help spread the truth. Like, share, and subscribe.⚖️ Fair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material used for the purposes of education, commentary, and criticism under Section 107 of the Copyright Act. All rights belong to their respective owners.The information contained in this podcast should not be considered medical or legal advice.

Dr. Chad Kollas has spent more than two decades challenging myths and misinformation about opioids in pain care. In this episode, he joins us to break down the FDA’s latest opioid label changes, explain why they matter for patients, and share his perspective as a palliative care physician who has been on the frontlines of this debate since the early 2000s.We talk about:The significance of the FDA's new opioid labelThe ethical failures of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in pain patientsHow propaganda has shaped the narrative around opioidsWhat patients and providers need to know moving forwardIf you’ve ever wondered how we got here and what hope there is for change you won’t want to miss this conversation.Dr. Chad Kollas' study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10790545/🎧 Listen now and share to help us keep exposing the system and supporting the people in it.Find us on Patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforumThe information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice

🎙️ Episode 56Scored. Flagged. Medically Abandoned. Forgotten.Unveiling NarxCare: The Hidden Scoring System in Your Medical RecordsThis is a rerelease of a 2022 podcast episode featuring attorney Jennifer D. Oliva.In this powerful conversation, Bev Schechtman and Claudia Merandi of The Doctor Patient Forum sit down with Professor Oliva to expose the implications of NarxCare and Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) on patient care — particularly for those living with chronic pain.They explore the secretive nature of risk-scoring algorithms, the lack of transparency in PDMP data, and the systemic discrimination embedded in these tools — especially for marginalized and disabled populations. Together, they make the case for regulatory oversight, algorithmic accountability, and why advocacy is essential to protect patient rights and restore ethical care.NarxCare is a secret risk-scoring algorithm embedded in electronic health records.Most patients cannot access or correct their PDMP data.These scores disproportionately flag patients with complex conditions as “high risk.”Errors in PDMP data can result in abrupt care abandonment and harm.Providers face pressure to under-prescribe due to fear of red flags.The opioid crisis has redefined pain care around liability, not compassion.There is little to no regulatory oversight of NarxCare or PDMP systems.Legislative action and public advocacy are urgently needed to protect patient safety and autonomy.Professor Oliva’s research and teaching interests include health law and policy, privacy law, evidence, torts, and complex litigation. She has served as a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Public Health, Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics, American Journal of Law & Medicine, Journal of Law and the Biosciences, and Big Data & Society.Her scholarship has been published by or is forthcoming in the Virginia Law Review, California Law Review, Duke Law Journal, Northwestern University Law Review, UCLA Law Review, North Carolina Law Review, Ohio State Law Journal, and online companions to the University of Chicago Law Review and New York University Law Review.She lives in Bloomington, Indiana.The Doctor Patient Forum has joined advocates nationwide in filing a citizen petition demanding that the FDA regulate NarxCare and all clinical algorithm software that scores patients.🛑 This affects patients with pain, addiction, and complex conditions.🗣️ Your voice matters. Help us hold the system accountable.👉 Submit your public comment today:🔗 https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2025-P-0701-0001📅 Deadline to comment: May 10, 2025Clips taken from:NPR 1A – “Against the Pain: The Opioid Crisis and Medication Access”https://the1a.org/segments/against-the-pain-the-opioid-crisis-and-medication-access/Cato Institute – “Patients, Privacy, and PDMPs” (Dr. Jeffrey Singer & Kate Nicholson)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXVXShMASJ4&t=4357sDuke Margolis – “Strategies for Promoting the Safe Use of Prescription Opioids”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUkAi8CoywNPR – “To End Addiction Epidemic” (Kolodny quote)https://www.npr.org/2014/05/09/311119395/to-end-addiction-epidemic-states-focus-on-stopping-doctor-shoppersCover 2 Resources – Gary Mendell (Podcast)https://open.spotify.com/episode/33OosEC2hutlE9y6CogmneJennifer Oliva’s Paper – “Dosing Discrimination: Regulating PDMP Risk Scores”https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3768774

In this conversation, Claudia, Bev, and Dr. Charles LeBaron discuss his experience with a severe painful illness. After he struggled accessing opioids, he started investigating CDC's opioid guidelines and their tragic result. LeBaron Bio For more than twenty-eight years, Charles LeBaron worked as a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While there, he was the author of more than fifty scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including first- or senior-author papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He was co-recipient of CDC’s Charles C. Shepard Science Award for best scientific manuscript published by CDC authors. A Captain in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, he received the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as more than ten other individual and unit commendation awards. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Medical School, he is board certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, as well as the author of a previous non-fiction account of the first year of medical school. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 1) Amazon page where the book can be purchased (2) Kirkus Review (3) BlueInk Review Find DPF at thedoctorpatientforum.com patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum [email protected]

Dr. David Alfery's Bio Dr. David Alfery was raised in the North but moved to Louisiana to attend Tulane University where he graduated with a BA degree in English.  He then attended LSU Medical School in New Orleans.  After graduating, he took the Louisiana State Medical Licensing Exam where he received the highest grade out of approximately 400 new doctors from the three medical schools in the state.  He spent a year as a surgical intern at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky and then did his residency in anesthesia at the University of California in San Diego.  He stayed on there for an additional year of fellowship training in cardiothoracic anesthesia. In 1980 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he spent a thirty-six-year career in private practice.  He has served as a Chief of Anesthesia, President of the Tennessee State Society of Anesthesiologists, and was a founding member of Anesthesia Medical Group, one of the largest anesthesia practices in the United States.  For twenty years he served as an Oral Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology, ending his tenure as a Senior Examiner.  While in practice, he held an academic appointment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as Adjunct Associate Professor of Anesthesiology.  In addition, he participated in numerous medical missions with Operation Smile.  Following his retirement from work in the Operating Room, he co-founded the AMG Ketamine and Wellness Center in Nashville. Dr. Alfery has authored ten chapters in medical textbooks and 41 peer reviewed articles in anesthesia medical journals.  He has invented several anesthesia devices that are sold worldwide and for which he has been awarded 17 US and International patents.  He has been married to his medical school sweetheart, Joyce, for over forty-five years, and together they have produced three daughters and five grandchildren. Find Dr. Alfery at https://savinggracebook.com or on TikTok at @drdavidalfery  The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical of legal advice.

The audio of this podcast was originally posted on 11/2/23. This is the video version. We are posting this again because one of the most common questions we get have to due with drug testing. We often hear from pain patients who were dismissed from their doctor for failing their drug test. They say there is no way the test is right. Ed Brown gives some possible explanations. Edward Brown's Bio: Edward G. Brown is a chemistry expert with over twenty-five years of laboratory research experience, over 5 years of patent work experience and over twenty years of experience assisting attorneys in chemistry cases as chemistry expert and expert witness.  His technical and academic background includes the following: B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Davis; In addition, Dr. Brown received post-doctoral research fellowships from the University of Auckland, NZ and Yale University; he pursued chemical analysis and chemistry research related to methodology development in organic chemistry at those institutions. Dr. Brown has also worked in a number of biochemical and pharmaceutical companies during his career as a research chemist, staff scientist and senior research scientist; he currently provides clients with in-lab contract medicinal chemistry research expertise as well as patent drafting and expert witness services. He is a coauthor on over twenty chemistry articles and is a co-inventor on ten U.S. patents.  He has testified in both state and federal courts as a chemistry expert in both criminal and patent litigation cases. His expertise as a medicinal chemistry expert in criminal drug cases has expanded over the years and includes advising in cases involving: methamphetamine and amphetamine analysis, manufacture, possession and sale; fentanyl, opioid and opiate analysis, possession and sale; cocaine analysis, possession and sale; LSD analysis, possession and sale; MDMA and MDA analysis, manufacture, possession and sale; benzodiazepine analysis, possession and sale; analysis, possession and sale of synthetic cannabinoids; and in hemp, THC and marijuana cases. Dr. Brown currently advises attorneys and other clients in criminal, patent and litigation cases as a medicinal chemistry expert and consultant in Durham, NC. His webpage can be found at: ⁠www.ExpertChemistryServices.com⁠ The Doctor Patient Forum is a national non profit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally. ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum⁠ ⁠https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/⁠ #thedoctorpatientforum  #dontpunishpainrally #chronicpain #opioids #chronicpainpatient #patientabandonment #harmreduction #chronicillness #medicalgaslighting #dpfpatreon #pain #opioideliminationindustry #opioidelimination #patreon #thedoctorpatientforumpatreon #harmreduction #medicalgaslighting #UDT #drugtest #toxscreen The information contained in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice

Dr. Joe Parker is our guest. Listen to what led to his prison sentence. Dr. Parker's Bio Dr. Joseph Parker’s career spans the fields of science, military service, and medical practice. He has used his rare blend of scientific expertise, military leadership, and medical acumen to contribute significantly to the advancement of science and the betterment of human health and safety. He writes as an advocate for physicians and patients and for the humane treatment of those suffering from addiction and the incarcerated. His journey towards this impactful role began with four years of dedicated service in the US Marine Corps, where he earned accolades such as the Meritorious Unit Citation and Good Conduct Medal. His exceptional service led to acceptance into the US Air Force Officer Training School and a subsequent role as a Minuteman II ICBM Commander within US Space Command, earning further recognition, including the Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Transitioning into the medical field, Dr. Parker pursued studies at Mayo Medical School and joined the US Medical Corps, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. Having personally suffered wrongful convictions gives him a unique perspective on the American justice and prison system, and he has dedicated himself to advocacy for the wrongfully prosecuted. He is currently serving as the Chief Science and Operations Officer at Advanced Research Concepts LLC, a pioneering company dedicated to biomedical research to alleviate pain and addiction, and to the development of innovative solutions for the complex challenges of space travel, including spacecraft propulsion systems, energy storage, radiation shielding, artificial gravity, and space-related medical issues.  He is also active in biomedical research, space science, and the study and treatment of addiction. The information in this podcast is not to be considered medical or legal advice

Episode 51 Stigma Part 3 - "The Goal is to Force Taper Every Single Pain Patient Down to Zero" We show using clips the disparity between how experts teach doctors to treat pain patients and how they teach doctors to treat people w SUD. ⁠If you missed part 1, here it is⁠ If you missed part 2, here it is We took clips from the following videos/podcasts: We used clips from the following links: 1. https://youtu.be/JjGfimiRZmk?si=CnrIAflx07hjwVV2 - Alyson Smith 2. https://youtu.be/_Gkw9l0ykd0?si=SLgfKIRUA1sUGfAi - MOC Stigma OUD 3. https://youtu.be/1Tra4IfdKgY?si=RN8cS7AGbopfngEO - Formulation of Bupe 4. https://www.youtube.com/live/QxtA1fWuHtk?si=L0GkKSkjfaLlhUrL - Arkansas Pain Committee 5. https://youtu.be/haf0uo4oYfE?si=hPTfhLSprPEvfPSO - Colorado Abatement Panel 6. https://youtu.be/hmrptecd98Y?si=NJDQ3ggdC4sM3A4v - AMDG Panel 7. https://youtu.be/cepCYjCx8fs?si=nqarmmXmK4C__1v- - Stages of Change 8. https://youtu.be/s5Dj1m_YrMU?si=O3MGoUemT2yTlrML - ASTHO 3 9. https://youtu.be/a208G9OzZFk?si=4dfzFEmu4jxMRZQt - Hotshot Panel OPG 10. https://youtu.be/_Wg1jTTi4pQ?si=zqROd6LITZTPnJ9p - Addiction Med Journal 11. https://youtu.be/wclGvrpQQy4?si=zRNO0kjFnsOxJ14S - IPRO 1 12. https://youtu.be/U_cMr3kK5ZY?si=ltM45_mFwe9qU4my - Difficult Conversations - Oregon Tapering Conference The Doctor Patient Forum is a national nonprofit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally. ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum⁠ ⁠https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/⁠ The information in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.

Episode 50 We interview Kara Cook about her study about the Controlled Substance Act and unintended harms. Kara's brother-in-law, Darren, tragically lost his life at 40 years old due to lack of access to opioids. Kara Cook is concurrently a lecturer in the Department of Statistics and a doctoral candidate in the PhD program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the College of Public Health.  Her research interests include advancing our understanding of public health issues, with a primary focus on substance use disorder and its intersection with public policy.  She is interested in using statistical methodologies to gather evidence about the effects of public policy, specifically scheduling, on many facets of substance use with a focus on the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The Doctor Patient Forum is a national nonprofit organization fighting for the rights of pain patients and their providers. We bring awareness to the untreated pain and patient abandonment crisis. We are also knows as Don’t Punish Pain Rally. ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thedoctorpatientforum⁠ ⁠https://www.thedoctorpatientforum.com/⁠ The information in this podcast is not to be considered legal or medical advice.