Partnership For Drug-Free Kids // August 31, 2017 It can be terrifying when your son or daughter is using drugs. When he or she is using heroin, fentanyl or other opioids, like prescription pain pills, however, the fear is even greater, since these substances pose a much higher risk of fatal overdose. Your first goal…
Shatterproof.org // Addiction is a chronic brain disease. What is addiction? The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.1 In the United States, 8–10% of people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol or other…
Insurance for substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health (MH) is complex. To help you navigate this system, here are some things to know, some things to do, what to do if you are denied coverage for treatment, what to do if you don’t have health insurance and some helpful definitions. Please note: Words in…
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids // By THE PARTNERSHIP If you’ve ever talked to a professional about your child struggling with substance use, chances are you’ve heard a common refrain — to take care of yourself. But why would a professional tell you to focus your energies on yourself, if your child is the one who…
PBS / NOVA Watch this PBS Special to understand the science of addiction. Hear firsthand from individuals struggling with addiction and follow the cutting-edge work of doctors and scientists as they investigate why addiction is not a moral failing, but a chronic, treatable medical condition. https://www.pbs.org/video/addiction-afsxne/
Shatterproof // By Jess Keefe If you have someone in your life who is dealing with a relapse, don’t panic. There’s no need to cut that person off with “tough love,” or to max out your credit card shipping them off to a destination rehab. We talked to medical experts, plus people with lived experience…
Addiction Policy Forum Click on the link below to watch Addiction Policy Forum’s “The ADDICTION Series”, two-to-three minute educational episodes to expand understanding about addiction and replace the myths and misinformation surrounding substance use disorders (SUDs). https://www.addictionpolicy.org/addiction-series-main
STAT News // By SARAH E. WAKEMAN and MAIA SZALAVITZ // May 18, 2017 A patient came to see me after his most recent near-fatal opioid overdose. Once again, he had stopped his prescribed medication, even though we had agreed together that the safest course of action was to continue. Once again, he had relapsed —…
helpguide.org Developing a drug addiction isn’t a character flaw or a sign of weakness and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription drugs can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that make sobriety seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is…
youtube // Published 12/4/2017
The Inquirer // By Ian Haydon None of us has the brain we were born with. Brains grow and adapt. This process, called neuroplasticity, doesn’t end when you step out of the classroom. Even habits — reaching for cookies when stressed out, keeping your head down during staff meetings — cut “trails” in the brain throughout…
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids // By Dr. John Dyben, DHSC, MCAP, CMHP Jennifer was 30 when she found herself in residential treatment for alcohol and drug addiction that had devastated her life for nearly five years. Though she struggled at first, she began to experience freedom in sobriety and became increasingly excited about the proposition…
Your Teen for Parents // By Jaimie Seaton Think twice about filling that painkiller prescription. If your teenager has had wisdom teeth removed, it’s possible the dentist sent them home with a prescription for an opioid such as Percocet (oxycodone) or Vicodin (hydrocodone). Prescription opioids were developed to treat severe pain, but in the past…
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States from 2006 – 2010, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years.1,2 Further,…
SMART Recovery // Green-In-MI, SMART Recovery Online Member SMARTies who participate in SMART Recovery Online (SROL) will sooner or later hear me sing the praises of exercise as an integral part of recovery. For me, exercise is a valuable Vitally Absorbing Creative Interest (VACI) as well as something that provides a host of side benefits.…
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids You may have heard that your son or daughter needs to “hit rock bottom” or “has to want help,” in order to get better. And therefore any attempts to otherwise convince him or her to enter treatment is wasted breath. The fact of the matter is our loved ones are often interested…
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Figuring out if your child is using drugs or alcohol can be challenging. Many of the signs and symptoms are, at times, typical teen or young adult behavior. Many are also symptoms of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety disorders. Explore our parent Drug Guide for even more substance-specific warning…
youtube // 9/19/17
Harm Reduction Coalition Overdose Response For a person whose breathing is severely impaired, rescue breathing or chest compressions is one of the most important steps in preventing an overdose death. When someone has extremely shallow and intermittent breathing (around one breath every 5-10 seconds) or has stopped breathing and is unresponsive, rescue breathing should be…
Take Charge Ohio // Dr. Mark Hurst Mental health and addiction disorders are more common than diabetes or heart disease, and they are just as treatable. Appropriate awareness, treatment and community supports can benefit families and communities.” Doctor Mark Hurst Medical Director of Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Individual paths to recovery…