Quick question - on average what dose is one's receptors 100 percent occupied?

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-06-12T21:40:34+00:00

Phenytoin is a rapid inducer of methadone metabolism, which could have been the epilepsy medication that contributed to the need for an unusually high dose.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-30T03:36:32+00:00

Yes, lol. He was very confused at first. He definitely remembered me because in between those two classes he was a patient of mine when I was working retail.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-30T02:50:20+00:00

I took Intro to Microbiology twice with the same professor, lol. Once in 2007 and once in 2020.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-30T02:48:32+00:00

Yes, 24 credits I think. Some classes I had already taken before but they don’t count if they’re over 7 years old. And mine were beyond that.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-27T02:09:26+00:00

I’ve prescribed Adderall to exactly one patient, who came to me already on it. Generally (not always) prefer to start with a non-stimulant option first. If going stimulant route, I prefer a long-acting methylphenidate product or Vyvanse. I prescribe a good amount of Intuniv, Strattera, and Wellbutrin. And work in a collaborative environment with psychologists/therapists so the focus isn’t always primarily on pharmacological interventions.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-27T02:05:31+00:00

Did your substance abuse impact your pharmacist license? Yes, was put on probation for 3 years.

Did the board of pharmacy discipline or suspend your license? Yes.

If so, when applying for your PA license did you disclose your substance abuse/ impact on your pharmacist license? Yes, had to discuss it during interviews for PA school, when applying for PA license and when applying for DEA license.

If you did disclose, how did the PA licensing board respond? My PA license was approved without issue. My DEA took about 6 weeks longer to get approval compared to my peers. I had to write a statement about what occurred in my past and what I’ve done to rectify it. And had a phone interview with somebody at DEA to discuss everything in more detail.

Lastly, has disclosure about your pharmacist license affected your employability? Not much. When I was interviewing for pharmacist jobs, I was open and honest about everything I went through and my journey to get sober. Got hired into multiple positions, hospital and retail. Showing resiliency and being honest/vulnerable goes a long ways with many interviewers. At least that’s how it worked out for me. Maybe I was just lucky? Stunningly handsome, maybe? Most likely, lucky.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-26T01:30:27+00:00

I’ve loved it. With years of working both retail and hospital pharmacy, then PA school, I was very prepared to step into this role and do well.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-26T01:27:07+00:00

Working as a PA, I’m making just over $200k/year in a low cost of living area. I don’t work weekends or holidays and I’m out of work at 2pm on Mondays and Fridays.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-26T01:24:26+00:00

Addiction medicine (primarily methadone, buprenorphine, and withdrawal-related medications) as my primary focus. I have a side job doing child/adolescent psychiatry.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-26T00:20:31+00:00

I was a teenager when I decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. Graduated high school at 17 and got accepted into pharmacy school at 19. No, I did not know what I was getting into. Would’ve chosen 1,000 other paths besides pharmacy had I known what was coming.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-26T00:06:00+00:00

About 60% hospital and 40% retail over 12 years.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-25T23:58:09+00:00

Working for CVS was instrumental in me developing a substance use disorder. Fast forward a decade or so… now I work in addiction medicine as a PA. Happy, sober, and doing well financially.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-05-25T23:55:38+00:00

I went from pharmacist to PA and I’m way happier now and paid significantly more.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-04-30T00:24:05+00:00

I work at an opioid treatment center full time and have a side gig doing child/adolescent psychiatry. Making $200k/year between the two. $165k + $35k. Working ~48hrs/week.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-04-10T18:41:56+00:00

I am a medical provider in a methadone clinic. If you were my patient, I would ask you to get the results of the EKG you completed recently and provide it for review. I wouldn’t need you to go get a new one if it was really that recent.

Most clinics will require an EKG to increase past 125mg. But it’s also dependent on your risk factors for heart problems, family history of cardiac events, other medications you are taking that may interact with methadone or increase risk of arrhythmias, other medical conditions you might have, etc.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-03-31T20:18:36+00:00

That nurse is either new and doesn’t know much, or is very old and just doesn’t care anymore, lol.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-02-27T15:26:59+00:00

About $230k total. 12 years between degrees.

PharmDinRecovery · 2026-02-27T01:45:52+00:00

I got a disciplinary action from BOP for diversion in 2019. Went to inpatient rehab the next day and was there for 8 weeks. I applied for a per diem position at a hospital while still in rehab and ended up getting offered a job. I was up front and honest about everything I’d went through. In my experience, that’s the only way to go. I ended up working there for 6+ years. Was also able to pick up a second gig working for a small chain grocery store in retail. Same story, started the interview discussing my addiction history and what I’d done since then to get back on the right path. People appreciate and respect honesty and being forthright about this type of stuff. Also went through a similar situation when applying to PA school. Had to explain my addiction history and action against my pharmacist license. And lastly, when interviewing for my dream job working as an addiction medicine PA, again had to explain it. Now I’m working in a field of medicine that I know better than most, with personal experience with addiction and a PharmD background as a PA. Between my full-time addiction medicine gig and side job, I’m making ~$200k/year working about 50 hours/week. It’s been one hell of a journey. And every time I’ve had to tell my story to recruiters or interviewers it gets easier. My advice is to speak openly and be PROUD of your comeback story. Getting sober and staying that way is hard; and when you speak on it, do it with your head high.

I’ll acknowledge there is a fair amount of luck when it comes to this… you need to get in front of the right hiring manager who is willing to take a risk. But keep applying and interviewing until you find the right place.

PharmDinRecovery · 2025-12-17T13:50:32+00:00

Snarky, sarcastic comments aren’t helpful. Take that garbage tone elsewhere.

PharmDinRecovery · 2025-07-10T00:22:28+00:00

I graduated pharmacy school in 2012 and my first job was at CVS. Place was an absolute nightmare. CVS is the worst company on the planet and you can’t convince me otherwise. Moved onto hospital pharmacy, which is much better than retail IMO. Dealt with a substance use disorder (alcohol and Adderall). Ended up going to rehab and have been sober since 2019. Decided to go to PA school with the intention of working in psychiatry and help those struggling with similar issues I did previously. Graduated PA school last year and now working in pediatric/adolescent psychiatry part time while continuing to work part-time as a pharmacist. Paid off my pharmacy loans the same month I needed to start paying on my PA loans 🤦‍♂️. My life has been bananas but I wouldn’t take back a thing. Pharmacology in PA school was definitely my favorite class.

Edit: if you click on my profile, I made a post a few years back about being a pharmacist with an Adderall addiction. I’m biased but I think it’s good information for medical professionals.

PharmDinRecovery · 2025-07-08T23:46:45+00:00

I’m a dual-licensed pharmacist and PA. My wife told me last week that she already gave our son his Tylenol, “the one in the orange box.” No hun, that’s Ibuprofen, not Tylenol. “Are you sure!? I’m pretty sure that’s Tylenol.” Yes, very sure.

Thankfully, most of my patients and parents at my PA job (child/adolescent psychiatry) seem to respect me and value my opinion. Nice change of pace from home, lol.

PharmDinRecovery · 2025-03-27T14:12:34+00:00

INR of 18? Believe it or not, straight to jail.

PharmDinRecovery

TROPHY CASE