Back to Blog How can one overcome addiction to etomidate? 
July 22, 2025
How can one overcome addiction to etomidate? 

Addiction is rarely just about the substance; the importance of guided support, therapy, and understanding. As Singapore moves to regulate etomidate, Promises Healthcare continue to be proactive at the front, contributing and voicing our insights to the national conversation, with Dr Munidasa Winslow, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, sharing his expert insights with […]

Addiction is rarely just about the substance; the importance of guided support, therapy, and understanding. As Singapore moves to regulate etomidate, Promises Healthcare continue to be proactive at the front, contributing and voicing our insights to the national conversation, with Dr Munidasa Winslow, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, sharing his expert insights with CNA.

Dr Winslow highlights a crucial truth: recovery isn’t just about stopping the addiction. It’s about understanding the why – the emotional pain, stress, or trauma that led to it – and replacing harmful coping mechanisms with sustainable, healthier ones.

We are committed to stepping up our services to support recovery. From therapy to integrated support systems, we help individuals navigate addiction with compassion, structure, and evidence-based care.

Extract from CNA article titled ‘CNA Explains: Why Singapore wants to ban etomidate’

Editor: Erin Liam, Journalist at CNA Digital

Published Date: 21 Jul 2025 at 07:49PM

How can one overcome addiction to etomidate? 

Dr Munidasa Winslow, a senior consultant psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare clinic, said that people who use etomidate should know that they can get help and recover. 

“Substance use is rarely just about the drug. It is often tied to deeper emotional or psychological roots,” he said.

Users who find themselves wanting to seek help should start by talking to someone they trust. After that, they should speak to a qualified healthcare professional. 

“Avoid the instinct to quit abruptly on your own,” he advised.

Etomidate is a potent sedative and its misuse can have unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects.

Depending on how often it is used, stopping suddenly might lead to withdrawal symptoms and may increase the risk of relapse.

Dr Winslow also said that recovery must be approached with a plan, for example, through therapy or a support group. 

“What is more important is understanding why it became a crutch in the first place, and how to replace that with healthier, more sustainable ways to cope.”  

🔗 Read the full CNA feature: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/etomidate-k-pods-vaping-cna-explains-5249546

Dr Munidasa Winslow | Senior Consultant Psychiatrist | Promises Healthcare
Dr Munidasa Winslow
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Munidasa Winslow is a leading and renowned psychiatrist with over 35 years of experience in general psychiatry and addiction medicine. Dr Winslow graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry, and began his career at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in 1988, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and developing Singapore’s modern addiction treatment system. As Chief of IMH’s Addiction Medicine Department, he worked closely with the Ministry of Health to establish the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), the nation’s first comprehensive public programme for addiction care.Recognised as one of Asia-Pacific’s foremost experts in addiction psychiatry and impulse control disorders, Dr Winslow has published extensively and is a sought-after speaker and thought leader at both the regional and international conferences. Dr Winslow is an accredited Master Addiction Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor, testifying his commitment to holistic, evidence-based care with rehabilitative approaches.His contributions span across the public service, forensic psychiatry, medical education, and community advocacy. He has served as an expert to Singapore’s courts, helped establish WE CARE Community Services, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Dr Winslow is strong advocate of recovery-oriented practice and peer inclusive care. In 2014, Psaltcare was established to focus on sustaining mental health recovery within the community.In 2011, Dr Winslow founded Promises Healthcare, where he currently serves as the CEO and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist. Promises Healthcare is the largest private psychiatry care institution, where he continues to lead and champion multidisciplinary mental health and addiction services locally and regionally. Come end-2026, The Winslow, a nation’s first purpose built private inpatient centre dedicated to the treatment of substance use and behavioural addictions will open its doors, setting a new benchmark for high quality and personalised private care in the region.