Our Controlled Drugs Prescription Policy

Schedule III Drugs

Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are controlled drugs that may be medically necessary but with the following characteristics.

Potential for abuse: MODERATE to LOW

Potential for severe psychological or physical dependence: MODERATE to LOW

Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV

Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are:

• Codeine products (products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, e.g., Tylenol with codeine)

• Ketamine

• Anabolic steroids

• Testosterone

• Methaqualone.

The above list is not exhaustive. There are numerous other substances that fall or could fall under Schedule IV.

Our policy regarding Schedule I Drugs:

• Per regulation, WE CAN prescribe, dispense, or administer these drugs Schedule III drugs for medical needs and under the right conditions.

Possible side effects of Some Schedule I Drugs and Substances:

Here are some of the side effects associated with a few Schedule I drugs:

• Codeine: As an opioid, codeine can cause euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and confusion. It can also lead to respiratory depression and low blood pressure. Long-term use can result in tolerance, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms.

• Ketamine: Often used as an anesthetic, it can cause disorientation, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, numbness, and amnesia. Long-term use can lead to cognitive impairments, bladder problems, and dependence.

• Anabolic Steroids: These synthetic substances, similar to the male sex hormone testosterone, can lead to liver damage, increased risk of heart disease, kidney damage, mood swings, aggression, and infertility. In men, it can also cause baldness, breast development, and testicle shrinkage. It can cause a deeper voice, increased body hair, and irregular menstrual cycles in women.

• Testosterone: Used medically to treat hormone deficiencies, side effects can include acne, fluid retention, increased red blood cell count, increased risk of heart disease, sleep apnea, and prostate enlargement. Misuse can lead to aggressive behaviors, liver problems, and alterations in cholesterol levels.
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At the Joy of Life Clinic, we closely monitor patients using Schedule III drugs to manage side effects and prevent potential abuse or dependence.

Download the PDF version of our controlled drugs prescription policy

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Read our commitment to providing care that emphasizes safety and personalized recovery plans.

Our Prescription Drug Monitoring Policy

Our policy follows the CDC's PDMP guidelines to reduce the risk of drug overdose.

About marijuana, and medicinal marijuana

The landscape of marijuana is rapidly changing, with national movements pushing for its legalization and its medical use showing remarkable outcomes in a host of treatments. Also, there's a growing perception that marijuana transcends the traditional label of a "drug" and is viewed instead as a beneficial ally in medical therapy and even for recreational use.

Despite these shifting attitudes and the positive embrace of medical marijuana, it's essential for our patients to understand our critical regulatory reality. Under DEA guidelines, we remain restricted from prescribing, dispensing, or administering any substance listed as a Schedule I drug, which includes marijuana. This legal boundary shapes our practice and the services we can offer, even amidst evolving societal and medical perspectives.

So, under DEA guidelines, we are unable to prescribe, dispense, or administer marijuana (or cannabis or its other names).

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Psychiatric evaluation and management

• Case management (psychiatric/mental health)

• Court services (psychiatric/mental health reports)

• Medication management

• Psychiatric and mental health evaluation

• Other psychiatric and mental health reports.
  

Substance Abuse

• Alcohol addiction

• Coffee or stimulant addiction

• Drugs addiction (Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin, Meth, etc.)

• Food or soda addiction

• Smoking, tobacco, or vaping addiction

• Opioids, painkillers, or prescription medicines addiction

Unhealthy Habits & Addiction

• Gambling or gaming addiction

• Internet and computer addiction

• Sexual addiction or disorder

• Shopping and spending addiction

• Work addiction (Workaholism)

• Other addiction issues.

• Abuse/Trauma

• Adjustment issues

• Anger issues

• Antisocial/deviant behavior

• Anxiety/stress

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism

• Body image problems

• Bipolar disorder

• Compulsive stealing (Kleptomania)

• Crisis intervention

• Depression

• Eating disorders

• Eating disorder - Anorexia Nervosa,

• Eating disorder - Binge Eating,

• Eating disorder - Bulimia Nervosa,

• Eating disorder - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Family conflict

• Imposter syndrome (Self-imposter disorder)

• Intellectual development/learning disability

• Lying disorders (Compulsive lying and Pathological lying)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

• Paranoia

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Psychosis

• Self-esteem issues

• Schizophrenia

• Sleep problems (sleep disorder, insomnia)

• Trauma

• Women’s Issues

• Other psychiatric and mental health issues
  

We also provide these administrative services

Here're addiction problems we treat

• Nutrition/vitamin treatment

• Stomach reduction assessment/evaluation

• Weight management

• General health education (individual and group lessons)

• Other nutrition and weight management services.
  

And we provide nutrition and weight management services to make your well-being even more complete

Don't let life's challenges define you—or your loved one—we are here to help you overcome and thrive!

Here're psychosocial and psychosomatic issues we treat

We operate under the laws and regulations of the State of Maryland as a Maryland outpatient clinic.