Montel Williams talks about opioid addiction

Montel Williams opens up about his opioid addiction. The former talk show host said it was easy for him to get 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 could get his prescriptions while traveling.

Williams noted that a simple call to the hotel concierge would allow him to receive the drugs while traveling.

Williams said that celebrities could “get whatever we want,” during an interview with Maria Menounos on her podcast, “Healing Squad“on December 17, according to PEOPLE.

The former TV star hosted “The Montel Williams Show” from 1991 to 2008, and said that while traveling around the country to promote the show, he was able to “name the set” of medications he needed, one of which he said was morphine. .

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

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

“So I started stocking up. There was a point where I was taking between 12 and 13,” Williams said. “Some of these medications have a purpose.”

The Daytime Emmy Award 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 are just something for short term use. That’s what they should be. That’s what they were invented for. “That’s what they were created for.”

He added: “However, I was at a point where the more you take, the less it works.”

Williams also told Menounos that his primary doctor refused to fill his opioid prescriptions and even threatened to call the DEA on the talk show host.

“Dude, you’re done. I’m not writing any more of this to you,” Williams’ doctor said.

“‘I’m literally going to text the DEA and tell them you’re looking for doctors,'” Williams recalled. “‘I’m going to put you on the national registry, you shouldn’t be prescribed these medications.'”

Williams added that his primary care doctor recommended cannabis instead of prescription opioids to treat his multiple sclerosis symptoms.

“‘If you want relief, I’ve heard from other patients like you that this marijuana thing seems to work… You’re a smart guy. Look it up, find out.’ And I did just that.”

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

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

“Cannabis should have been treated like any other plant-based medicine for the last hundred years,” he said. “Find the best portion of this medication and use it in the best modality for which it can be used.”

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

According Boston.comWilliams wanted to make sure others found the same relief he did with marijuana and began advocating for the medicine.

“I’m trying to make sure other patients like me have access to effective medications across the country,” he said. “There were almost no celebrities or public-facing people who came up to me like I did to talk about my use.” of cannabis.”