Care For Friends’ Post

I often get asked as a child psychiatrist and addiction provider: "How do we prevent the onset of substance use disorders?" There are a lot of things we can do. Here are a few off the top of my head: 1) Identify and treat/support mental health concerns, cognitive limitations, and difficulty with emotional regulation early in youth. 2) Normalize the seeking of support in developing your relationship with substances. You don't have to wait until it becomes a dependence or use disorder to explore why and how you use substances and the role you want them to play in your life now and in the future. 3) Take early use of "normalized" substances seriously in youth. Most teens do not use alcohol or marijuana. If you have a teen who uses them, screen for use disorders and get the family connected with education and brief intervention. 4) MH and Medical Providers (esp pediatric providers): LEARN about screening and brief intervention. It is lifesaving and easy. I promise. https://lnkd.in/grVrUDxv

Current Drug Use Prevention Tactics Don't Work Do you remember the "Every 15 Minutes" program in high school? It's an expensive dramatization of a drunk driving accident, where school administrators fund a crashed car, a police and EMT response to the accident (sometimes with a helicopter!), a fake funeral, and more. Students miss instruction time for this. Though dramatic and emotional, no doubt, research shows that this display does little to nothing to actually impact the rates of drunk driving post-event. What does work? Skills-based training built on evidence. If your schools are still using information only, scare tactics, or guest speakers to address the epidemic of substance abuse with our kids, ask them why. Challenge them to consider the research and help them find programs that DO work. #druguse #substanceabuse #prevention #education

Did you know? People who participated in the Guiding Good Choices workshop found their youth were 41% less likely to use alcohol and marijuana and 54% less likely to progress to more serious substance abuse. We are bringing this workshop to ESD 113 for FREE! This workshop group meets five times through the end of June from 5:30–7 pm. https://trst.in/ESURJ4

Every year that substance use is delayed during the period of adolescent brain development, the risk of long-term substance abuse decreases. Having candid and healthy conversations is one of the most effective prevention methods. Learn how to initiate conversations about alcohol and other drugs starting from a young age and continuing through their middle school and high school years. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3tfNrbk

"Understanding how drug abuse affects the mind and society is crucial for its prevention and treatment. Check out this insightful blog post that delves into the impact of substance abuse on individuals and the larger community. Read more at https://ift.tt/dzrT5Qn"

October is Substance Misuse Prevention Month and Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. Did you know people who start using alcohol or other drugs when they’re young are more likely to develop a substance use disorder later in life? Early prevention is critical. Prevention science, and decades of community-based experience and scientific research, shows that prevention works. #YouthSubstanceUsePreventionMonth #SubstanceMisusePreventionMonth

Attention - a continuation of youth-focused overdose prevention series Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:30 AM  12:30 PM, PT. Speakers will discuss how to partner with colleges and universities to reach college-aged youth. #overdoseprevention #youthadvocacy #mentalhealth

Wondering how to approach a loved one about potential drug or alcohol abuse? It's natural to worry about a loved one's well-being, especially if you suspect they may be struggling with drug or alcohol use. Identifying substance abuse early can make a significant difference in getting them the help they need. Our professional staff ensures a compassionate and non-judgmental testing environment. Take the first step in helping your loved one: fastestlabs.com/everett

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, innovation within EMS is more crucial than ever. As the frontline responders to medical emergencies, EMS professionals play a pivotal role in the continuum of care, not only making life-saving decisions in the most critical moments but also helping the patient finding resources and medical homes. Embracing innovation in EMS isn't just about adopting new technologies; it's about transforming our approach to patient care. From advanced pre-hospital diagnostic tools to telemedicine capabilities, and from enhanced data analytics to integrated care models, these innovations enable EMS providers to deliver more efficient, effective, and patient-centered care. Innovative EMS practices not only improve patient outcomes but also optimize resource utilization and reduce overall healthcare costs. By leveraging technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, EMS can lead the charge in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. Moving forward, it's imperative that we continue to invest in research, education, and collaboration within the EMS community. By doing so, we can ensure that EMS remains at the forefront of medical innovation, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for all patients. Let's champion innovation in EMS and work together to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. 🚑💡 #HealthcareInnovation #EMS #EmergencyMedicalServices #PatientCare #EMSData #MedicalInnovation

The prevalence of head trauma and strangulation is unfortunately high among the population of domestic violence survivors. It is extremely important for medical professionals to screen domestic violence victims for brain injury, focusing on early intervention and prevention. Learn more about asking the right questions and adopting a trauma-informed approach to care in this article from the latest issue of the ACBIS Insider: https://bit.ly/3Fq7kPD