The Need for Take Home

 

Naloxone Programs

 

Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist, which means that it binds to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of other opioids. This allows a person to breathe again and reverses the overdose.

Naloxone is not a controlled substance and has no potential for abuse. It can be administered by minimally trained laypeople, which makes it ideal for treating overdose in people who have been prescribed opioid pain medication and in people who use heroin and other opioids.

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• Naloxone works by knocking opioids off of opioid receptors in the brain. This allows a person to breathe again and reverses the overdose. Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system; it has no effect if opioids are absent.
• Naloxone may be injected in a muscle, vein, under the skin, or sprayed into the nose. Naloxone that is injected comes in a lower concentration (0.4mg/1ml) than naloxone that is sprayed up the nose (1mg/1ml). It is a temporary drug that wears off in 30-90 minutes.

Opioid overdoses are a major public health problem. Many people who die from opioid overdose fail to receive proper medical attention because their peers and witnesses delay or do not call 911 for fear of police involvement. Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. However, in most jurisdictions, naloxone is only available in hospital settings and carried by emergency medical personnel. As a result, it is often not available to people experiencing overdose until they have already suffered severe harm. Take-home naloxone programs have been established in approximately 200 communities throughout the United States to expand naloxone access to people who use drugs and their loved ones. These programs provide comprehensive training on overdose prevention, recognition, and response in addition to prescribing and dispensing naloxone. Fatal overdose is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. under 50 years old. Providing overdose prevention, recognition, and response education to people who use drugs, their neighbors, friends, families, and the service providers who work with them is a harm reduction intervention that saves lives.

References

Opioid Overdose Basics - Harm Reduction Coalition. (2019). Harmreduction.org. https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/

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Opioid Overdose Basics

• An overdose is when a toxic amount of a drug, or combination of drugs overwhelms the body. Opioid overdoses happen when there are so many opioids or a combination of opioids and other drugs in the body that the victim is not responsive to stimulation and/or breathing is inadequate.

• Opioids fit into specific receptors that also affect the drive to breathe. If someone can not breathe or is not breathing enough, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease, and the lips and fingers turn blue- this is called cyanosis. This oxygen starvation eventually stops other vital organs like the heart, and then the brain. This leads to unconsciousness, coma, and then death.

• Brain damage starts to occur after 3-5 minutes without oxygen, followed by death. Fortunately, this process is rarely instantaneous; people slowly stop breathing which usually happens minutes to hours after the drug is used. While people have been “found dead with a needle in their arm,” more often there is time to intervene between when an overdose starts and before a victim dies.

• 
  Heroin, prescription opioids, and other downers such as alcohol and benzodiazepines are a particularly dangerous combo since they all affect the body’s central nervous system, which slows breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, and in turn, reduces body temperature.

• In a stimulant overdose, drugs like speed, cocaine, and ecstasy raise the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, and speed up breathing. This can lead to a seizure, stroke, heart attack, or death.

How to help someone who is overdosing:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. If the person is unconscious, roll them onto their side to prevent choking.
3. Check their breathing and pulse. If they are not breathing, give CPR.
4. If you have Narcan, administer it according to the package instructions.

Stay with the person until help arrives.

References

 Opioid Overdose Basics - Harm Reduction Coalition. (2019). Harmreduction.org. https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/

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Saving Lives without Fear: 👀👀👀👀👀

 

 Legal Protections for Narcan Administrators

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Laws that protect someone when they administer Narcan

Good Samaritan laws

• Good Samaritan laws are in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These laws protect people who call 911 or provide assistance to someone in an emergency from being arrested or sued. This includes people who administer Narcan to someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose.

Naloxone access laws are in place in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These laws make it easier for people to obtain Narcan, including through pharmacies and community organizations. Some of these laws also specifically protect people who administer Narcan from civil and criminal liability.

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What to do if you see someone overdosing

• If you see someone overdosing, the first thing you should do is call 911. If you have Narcan, you can also administer it to the person. Narcan is a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

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To administer Narcan, follow these steps:

1. Remove the Narcan from the package and place it in your nose.
2. Push the plunger down to release the Narcan.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if the person does not respond after 2-3 minutes.
4. Stay with the person until help arrives.

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Legal protections for people who administer Narcan

1. In most states, people who administer Narcan in good faith are protected from civil and criminal liability. This means that they cannot be sued or arrested for administering Narcan, even if the person overdosing dies.

1. However, it is important to note that these laws vary from state to state. It is always a good idea to check the laws in your state before administering Narcan.

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How to find out more about Narcan and Good Samaritan laws in your state

You can find more information about Narcan and Good Samaritan laws in your state by contacting your state health department or by visiting the website of the National Harm Reduction Coalition.

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Conclusion

Laws that protect people who administer Narcan are essential for saving lives. By making Naloxone more accessible and protecting people from legal liability, these laws encourage people to help others who are overdosing.

The Beauty of Darkness

 

The Other Side of Light

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Darkness is often seen as something negative, but it is actually essential for the existence of light. In fact, darkness is the glue that binds light together in the universe.

• Without darkness, light would not be able to exist. This is because light is the absence of darkness. When there is no darkness, there is no light.

Darkness is also essential for the formation of stars and galaxies. When gravity pulls matter together, it creates a dense cloud of gas and dust. This cloud is so dense that light cannot escape from it. This is why we see dark clouds in space.

Over time, the gravity in these clouds causes them to collapse and form stars. Stars are incredibly hot and bright, but they would not be able to exist without the darkness that created them.

Darkness is also essential for life on Earth. Plants need darkness to sleep and to grow. Animals need darkness to rest and to hunt. And humans need darkness to sleep and to dream.

So, while darkness is often seen as something negative, it is actually essential for the existence of light, stars, galaxies, and life on Earth.

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Here are some specific examples of how darkness binds light together in the universe:

Black holes: Black holes are regions of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes are invisible, but we can see their effects on the light around them. For example, when a star passes near a black hole, its light is bent and distorted. This is called gravitational lensing.

Nebulae: Nebulae are clouds of gas and dust that are found throughout the universe. Nebulae are often dark, but they can also be very bright when they are illuminated by nearby stars. Nebulae are the birthplace of stars, and they play an important role in the formation of galaxies.

Dark matter: Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe. Dark matter is invisible, but we can see its effects on the gravity of visible matter. Dark matter is thought to play an important role in the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Darkness is a fundamental part of the universe, and it is essential for the existence of light and life.

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In addition to the above, darkness also has a significant impact on our perception of light. When we are in a dark room, even a small amount of light can seem very bright. This is because our eyes have adjusted to the darkness. In contrast, when we are in a brightly lit room, even a large amount of light may seem dim. This is because our eyes have adjusted to the brightness.

This contrast between light and dark is what allows us to see the world around us. Without darkness, we would not be able to perceive light, and the world would appear to be a flat, gray plane.

Darkness is also important for our mental and emotional well-being. When we are in darkness, our bodies produce melatonin, a hormone that helps us to sleep. Melatonin is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In conclusion, darkness is an essential part of the universe and our lives. It is the glue that binds light together, and it plays an important role in the formation of stars, galaxies, and life on Earth. Darkness also has a significant impact on our perception of light and our mental and emotional well-being.

Self-Forgiveness

 And The Love You Feel For Yourself Will Come Down Like Rain

• Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can help us to heal from the emotional wounds of the past. It allows us to let go of anger and resentment, and to move forward in our lives with peace and joy.
• But what about forgiving ourselves? It is often difficult to forgive ourselves as we may feel guilty, ashamed, or even unworthy of forgiveness.

The truth is at our core we need to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings. Forgive yourself unconditionally.

Here are a few reasons why it is so important to forgive ourselves:

1. When we forgive ourselves, we can heal. 
2. When we forgive ourselves, we let go of anger and resentment.
3. When we forgive ourselves, we learn and grow from our mistakes.
4. When we forgive ourselves, we develop self-compassion and understanding.
5. When we forgive ourselves, we move forward.

It is not always that easy though, is it?

When you first start the process you will have no idea where to start, and here are a few ways to "jump-start" the process:

1. Wake up every day and do something relevant, and this will vary depending on your situation. It can be as simple as taking a shower or any other ADL you may be neglecting.
2. Challenge your negative thoughts. This process works, but it takes time to foster and strengthen. 
3. Keep moving- metaphorically and physically.
4. Allow yourself to grieve and cry.
5. Set a small goal and work towards it every day. It does not matter how small your steps are, but what matters is that you are taking them or at least attempting to take them.

With every ADL, with every small step that you take, you are delivering messages to your core that you are worthy of forgiveness.

If you are struggling to forgive yourself, here are a few tips:

1. Acknowledge your pain. It is important to acknowledge the pain that you have experienced, both physical and emotional. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, and don't try to suppress them.
2. Be patient with yourself. Forgiveness is a process, and it takes time. Don't expect to forgive yourself overnight. Just be patient with yourself and trust that you will heal in time.
3. Practice self-compassion. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend who is hurting. Be kind and understanding towards yourself.
4. Seek support from others. It can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your struggles with forgiveness. They can offer you support and encouragement.

Remember, you are worthy of forgiveness. You are not alone. And there is hope for healing.

X marks the spot

 

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Deep Impact

 The Effects of a Second Concussion

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 2 million people annually in the United States, with falls and motor vehicle accidents being the most common causes (Hooley et al., 2019).
• According to Hooley and colleagues (2019), these are the most susceptible demographics to TBI:

1. Children 0 to 4 years old
2. Adolescents 15 to 19 years old
3. Adults 65 years and older

• The DSM-5 categorizes cognitive impairments from head injuries as major or mild neurocognitive disorders.

Explosive blasts in the past have caused an increase in TBI cases among military personnel, and this has caused TBI to become the signature injury of the Iraq War. About 15 percent of soldiers serving in Iraq experienced a TBI. Full recovery may not be possible for many survivers. (Hooley et al, 2019)

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Two types of brain injuries:

1. Closed-head injuries -  The skull remains intact.
1. 
   Close-head injuries cause indirect damage due to forces that cause the brain to actually inadvertently make contact with the skull wall.
2. Rotational forces can also cause the brain to inadvertently twist the brain mass in relation to the brain stem. This injury causes neuron damage due to shearing forces on the nerve fibers and their synaptic interconnections (Hooley et al., 2019).
2. Penetrating head injuries - An object enters the brain such as a bullet.

Severe head injuries will often cause someone to lose consciousness. When this happens there is a major disruption of circulatory, metabolic, and neurotransmitter regulation. These types of injuries usually lead to (Hooley et al., 2019) :

1. Retrograde amnesia - which is an inability to recall the events immediately preceding the injury
2. Anterograde amnesia - which is an inability to effectively store memories of events that happen after the trauma.

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Recovery

Recovery from unconsciousness caused by a head injury varies from minutes to days. It is not uncommon for the survivor to go through stages of stupor and confusion. In some cases, the survivor may remain in a coma for a period of time. This coma may be followed by delirium which is evident by acute excitement, disorientation, and hallucinations. Gradually all of this may clear up and the survivor may actually regain appropriate contact with reality.

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Minor closed-head brain concussions and contusions occur frequently due to car accidents, sports injuries, and falls. Some theme park rides can actually cause high enough G-forces in som individuals by creating small tears in delicate blood vessels in the brain. (Hooley, et al., 2019)

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If you have a concussion, your brain is four to five times more likely to be damaged by a second head injury, and this increased risk lasts for several weeks.

References

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033