Montel Williams speaks candidly about opioid addiction

Montell Williams He opens up about his addiction to opioids. The former talk show host said it was easy for him to obtain opioids from doctors because of his celebrity status.

The 68-year-old was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, and in a recent interview, Williams explained how he managed to get his prescriptions while traveling.

Williams indicated that a simple call to the hotel concierge would result in him obtaining drugs while traveling.

Williams said that celebrities can “get what they want” during an interview with Maria Menounos On her podcastAl-Shifa Squad“On December 17, according to the people.

The former TV star hosted “The Montel Williams Show” between 1991 and 2008, and said that as he traveled around the country promoting the show, he could “name a bunch” of medications he needed, one of which he said was morphine. .

“At that time we didn’t have oxycodone,” Williams said. We had things like Talwin, we had things like morphine. I found that I could call the hotel doctor and get a 10-day prescription for any medication I wanted, and they would gladly give it to me.

Williams told Menounos he began hoarding prescription medications and was taking up to 13 pills a day.

“So I started stockpiling. There was one point in time when I was taking about 12 to 13 years,” Williams said. “Some of this medicine has a purpose.”

The Daytime Emmy winner added that he doesn’t believe opioids have a purpose for long-term use.

“I don’t think any of the opioids have a purpose for long-term use. They’re just something for short-term use. That’s what they should be. That’s what they were invented for. That’s why they were created.”

“However, it got to the point where the more you took, the less successful it was,” he added.

Williams also told Menounos that his primary doctor refused to fill his prescriptions for opioids, and even threatened to call the talk show host to call the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Williams’ doctor said, “My friend, I’m done. I’m not going to write you any more of this.”

“I would literally send a letter to the DEA and tell them you’re looking for a doctor,” Williams recalls. “I’m going to put you on the national registry. You shouldn’t be prescribed these medications.”

Williams added that his primary care physician recommended using cannabis instead of prescription opioids to treat MS symptoms.

“If you want relief, I’ve heard from some other patients like you that this marijuana thing seems to be working…You’re a smart guy. Find it, discover it.” And I did just that.

Williams said,ForbesShe now uses cannabis daily to manage his symptoms of multiple sclerosis, noting that her body is “infused with cannabis” to help with pain and flexibility. He said the drug also helps promote protective neuroplasticity of nerves in the brain.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological and autoimmune disorder usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40. Williams was diagnosed after retiring from military life and began researching options soon after. He added that marijuana got a bad reputation before it became a prescription drug.

“Cannabis should have been treated like any other plant medicine for the last 100 years,” he said. “Find the best part of this medicine and use it in the best way it can be used for.”

Williams launched a cannabis brand called “Inspire by Montel” after partnering with Primitiv Group Boston. The brand features THC and CBD vapors, and Williams says marijuana has helped him get relief from his symptoms better than any opioid he’s tried.

according to boston.comWilliams wanted to make sure others found the same relief he found with marijuana and began advocating for the drug.

“I’m trying to make sure other patients like me have access to effective medicine across the country,” he said. “There were no celebrities or anyone who faced the public like I did to talk about my use of cannabis.”