The risk of overdose among people living with a substance use disorder is serious. In 2021, preventable deaths reached an all-time high. Fueling that record were more than 98,000 people who died that year from a drug overdose, representing an overdose death rate of 17 percent. Anyone who abuses drugs or alcohol is at ... Read More
How Addiction Led to Lisa Marie Presley’s Death
Lisa Marie Presley may be best known as the daughter of famous singer and actor Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, but she was a well-known public figure in her own right. Born in 1968, Presley was just nine years old when her father died of a drug-related heart attack. She attended her first rock concert ... Read More
Which States Have the Highest Rates of Overdose?
The opioid crisis is a national emergency that leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year. Despite increased efforts to limit access to both prescription and illicit opioids, the death toll has continued to climb. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2020, the United States saw nearly ... Read More
Can You Have PTSD from a Home Fire or Burglary?
When dangerous, shocking, or scary events occur, the body triggers a series of functions that help protect you until the danger passes. You probably know this as the "fight-or-flight" response. After trauma, people experience a range of symptoms because this response doesn't fully stop. While most recover with time, ... Read More
Suspect an Overdose? What to Do
In the event of an overdose, it's necessary to act quickly. Witnessing someone in a life-threatening situation can be scary, but knowing what to do can help to prevent a tragedy. Assess the Situation An overdose is a medical emergency and while prompt action is necessary, it's crucial to stay calm and clearheaded. ... Read More
How to Help Someone Facing Schizophrenia
With schizophrenia, how to help takes on a greater magnitude when someone you love is experiencing the condition. What do you do first? Where do you go for help? Schizophrenia is a much-misunderstood, multi-faceted mental health disorder that requires coordinated, comprehensive, and professional treatment for the best ... Read More
How to Be an Overdose Awareness Advocate
Drug-related deaths are on the rise in the United States and have become a significant threat to public health in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 107,000 people died from overdose in 2021. This number includes accidental deaths as well as suicidal overdose deaths, and ... Read More
Critical Stress Debriefings: An Expert’s Take
Critical stress debriefings, a preventative intervention after exposure to trauma, have grown in use among police and fire departments across the country. That may be because it is now widely known that when regular exposure to trauma goes unaddressed, that can lead to mental health issues like depression and PTSD, ... Read More