Hoarding

• Hoarding is a condition that has received increased research attention in recent years. It was originally thought of as a symptom of OCD but now is considered a separate disorder.
• Compulsive hoarding occurs in approximately 3 to 5 percent of adults and in  10 to 40 percent of people diagnosed with OCD.
  

• People with hoarding disorder acquire and fail to discard many possessions that are of limited value.
• Their homes are extremely cluttered and disorganized so much that it interferes with their daily activities. Some people have been buried alive in their homes by their possessions.
• Neuroimaging research has found that people with compulsive hoarding show patterns of brain activation that are different from people with OCD who do not have hoarding symptoms.
• Compulsive hoarding is associated with an increased risk of fire, falling, poor sanitation, and serious health problems.
• At-home treatments that include home visits have shown some effectiveness. These treatments work partially by changing the patient's beliefs about the importance of saving each of their possessions.

References

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

 

IF ALL ELSE FAILS: HOW TO CORRECTLY CLEAN A SYRINGE

 NEVER REUSE SYRINGES!!!

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HIV can survive in a used syringe for up to 42 days, depending on temperature and other factors(CDC, 2020). 

• 
  If you only have one syringe for whatever reason then these steps must be followed before reusing the syringe and there are no exceptions.
• If surfaces and cookers are not cleaned properly, HepC can still remain on the surfaces even if there is no visible blood. 

Supplies You Need 

1. Three clean containers. cups bowls jars...etc
2. Clean water
3. Bleach

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/pocket-guides/cdc-hiv-pocket-guide-cleaning-syringes.pdf

Steps You Need to Follow

1. Wash your hands
2. Fill one cup with bleach and two cups with clean water.
1. label cups 
1. Cup A is clean water
2. Cup B is bleach
3. Cup C is clean water 
3. From Cup A which is clean water, fill the syringe with the clean water
4. Shake or tap the syringe for thirty seconds.
5. Squirt out the water from the syringe, but do not squirt the water back into one of the cups
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 until you cannot see any blood in the water. It is not uncommon to have to repeat steps 3,4, and 5 a few times.
7. Now that the syringe is empty fill the syringe up with bleach from cup B
8. Tap or shake the syringe that has bleach in it for thirty seconds.
9. Squirt the bleach out of the syringe, but do not squirt the bleach back into any of the cups
10. Now fill the syringe with the clean water from cup C
11. Tap or shake the syringe for thirty seconds
12. And finally, squirt the water out of the syringe.

HCV is one of the most common bloodborne pathogens in the United States. It is highly infectious and can survive on dry surfaces and equipment for up to 6 weeks, resulting in a longer period for potential transmission than for other bloodborne pathogens (Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Case Management - Hepatitis c | CDC, 2023).  

 

References 

 

CDC. (2020, November 3). HIV and Injection Drug Use | HIV Transmission | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-transmission/injection-drug-use.html

‌ To clean a syringe correctly, you must do all nine steps: 3 A. Rinse with clean water. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/pocket-guides/cdc-hiv-pocket-guide-cleaning-syringes.pdf

Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Case Management - Hepatitis C | CDC. (2023, July 18). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/surveillanceguidance/HepatitisC.htm#:~:text=It%20is%20highly%20infectious%20and

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Harm Reduction - Tennessee What You Need to Know

 

Harm Reduction - Tennessee

 What is harm reduction?

Harm reduction is a set of practical, public health strategies designed to reduce potential harms associated with drug use and promote healthy lifestyles and communities. There is no universal definition for harm reduction, but the idea is to ensure there is no judgment about a person’s drug use and sexual activity, meet people where they are in terms of ability and willingness to modify behaviors and elicit positive change based on client-centered goals, needs, circumstances, and readiness to change (Syringe Services Program(SSPs), n.d.). 

 

What are syringe services programs (SSPs)?

SSPs are programs that provide comprehensive harm reduction services. This can include, but is not limited, to sterile needle and injection drug equipment distribution; safe disposal for used needles/syringes; HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage to care; overdose prevention education and naloxone distribution; referrals to substance use disorder treatment, medical care, mental health providers, and social services; and other tools to prevent acquisition of bloodborne pathogens and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)  (Syringe Services Program(SSPs), n.d.). 

What are the legal authorities for SSPs in Tennessee?

Per §T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 1 non-governmental organizations and local health departments in partnership with county government may operate a syringe services program after approval by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH)  (Syringe Services Program(SSPs), n.d.). 

Does the law include zoning requirements in the legislation for SSP locations?

Yes, the law requires SSPs to be located at least 1,000 feet from any school or public park. However, there is an exception where it has to be at least 2,000 feet from a school or public park in municipalities with a population between 55,440-55,450 (Syringe Services Program(SSPs), n.d.).  

What services are Tennessee SSPs required to provide?

By law, SSPs are required to provide the following services:

1. Distribution of unused needles/syringes and injection drug equipment at no cost
2. Collection and safe disposal of used needles/syringes and injection drug equipment
3. Education on prevention of overdoses, bloodborne pathogens, and drug misuse as well as treatment for mental illness and substance use disorder
4. Referral to mental health and substance use disorder treatment to individuals who request it
5. Referral to or direct provision of naloxone
6. Referral to or direct provision of HIV and hepatitis C testing

Who can visit an SSP?

Anyone can visit an SSP. SSPs are built on the harm reduction model, which offers support and resources to those who may need them. The following people might visit an SSP:

1. Persons who use drugs (PWUD), including persons who inject drugs (PWID)
2. People who are on opioid pain management treatment and would like naloxone
3. People who engage in commercial sex work
4. People requesting safer sex supplies and HIV and hepatitis C testing
5. People who use syringes to administer prescribed medications (i.e., insulin) or non-prescribed medications (hormones and/or steroids)
6. Family and friends of someone who injects drugs and would benefit from naloxone
7. Persons seeking naloxone or overdose prevention education
8. Persons seeking information on the prevention of bloodborne pathogens and/or sexually transmitted infections

               

*Operating hours for syringe service programs are subject to change. Please contact the agency listed for more information.

 

References

 Syringe Services Program(SSPs). (n.d.). Www.tn.gov. https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/std/std/syringe-services-program.html

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