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International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. Nicasa Behavioral Health Services sees that this is not something only one entity can take on alone. Behavioral health and social service concerns do not occur in a vacuum. The effects of substance use, and overdose have boarder ripple effects. These individuals may not know, but they are never isolated nor alone in this, and their lives are cherished, remembered often by their friends, families, loved ones, classmates, colleagues, and those they impacted in their communities. Together we can end drug overdoses, but we need everyone to do their part.

Drug overdose is not a uniquely American phenomena, but it is one of the leading causes of death for our nation. In 2023, an estimated 107,543 individuals lost their lives to a drug overdose. In Lake County, IL 132 overdose deaths were reported in 2023 with approximately 71% involving fentanyl.

That is an estimated 3,871,548 years of life lost to substance overdose. Those are years of love, laughter, life, and hope lost in a few moments time. Opioid overdose deaths are preventable. We remember those individuals who have been taken by overdose and offer support to friends, families, and loved ones of those who have been lost.

We also honor those who have survived and offer help during any part of their healing journey.

We are committed to our part in the fight to end overdoses. Nicasa is dedicated to spreading awareness by offering facts, resources, and support, as well as providing treatment and recovery services to those who have been both directly and indirectly impacted by overdoses.

Not All Overdoses Look the Same

Many people are informed of what an overdose can look like through movies and television shows. While some depictions are more accurate than others, there are many different symptoms of an overdose depending on the type of substance a person consumed. As opioid misuse has reached a level of being categorized as an epidemic, many people believe the only overdoses that take a life are from opioids, but there are many other substances from which people can experience dangerous outcomes as well. American Addiction Centers provides a quick guide of overdose symptoms for different substances.

Four common categories of substance use are:

  • Alcohol
  • Opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and certain prescription pain relievers and other illicit substances
  • Benzodiazepines, including diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), other prescription medications and illicit substances
  • Stimulants, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and certain prescription medications

Some signs and symptoms of an alcohol overdose or poisoning include:

  • Marked mental confusion or stupor.
  • Difficulty staying conscious (or being completely unconscious).
  • Lack of responsiveness or unable to be woken up by others.
  • Seizures.
  • Vomiting.
  • Gurgling sound when breathing (could potentially be suffocating on vomit).
  • Slow or irregular breathing.
  • Heart rate that slows or stops.
  • Very low body temperature.
  • Pale or blue-tinged, clammy skin.

Some signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose are:

  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Markedly constricted or pinpoint pupils.
  • Breathing difficulties (slowed, labored, and/or irregular breathing).
  • Respiratory arrest (completely stopped breathing).
  • Choking, gurgling, or snoring sounds.
  • Blue or purple lips or fingertips.
  • Being unresponsive to loud noises, shaking, or painful stimuli.

Some signs and symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose are:

  • Profoundly impaired mental status.
  • Confusion.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Slowed, labored breathing.
  • Coma.

Some signs and symptoms of a stimulant overdose are:

  • Dangerously increased body temperature.
  • Hyperventilation or rapid breathing.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Very high blood pressure.
  • Cardiovascular events (e.g., stroke, heart attack, circulatory compromise).
  • Panic.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Paranoia and psychosis.
  • Aggressive behavior.
  • Seizures and convulsions.

Response Time Is Important

Regardless of the substance, time is the most critical part of overdose recovery.

If you find a person unresponsive or in distress: CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

There are laws, often referred to as Good Samaritan laws, in Illinois and other states that protect you from actions you take in good faith to assist a person in need. Be cooperative with the 911 operator as they will send appropriate emergency service responders to you quickly. They will also give you supportive measures to help the person until first responders arrive.

If you have Narcan or Naloxone products available, you can provide them as the package instructions indicate.

Narcan, or Naloxone, Is Inactive Unless You Are Experiencing an Opioid Overdose

While Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose, you can still give it to some who is experiencing other kinds of overdoses without fear of further hurting them. More often illicit substances contain opioid products in them. Unfortunately, many individuals are often unaware of this prior to use, or misunderstand their tolerance.

If accidentally administered to someone who is not experiencing an overdose, there is no harm either. Narcan and Naloxone only attach to opioid receptors and block the body from absorbing any more opioids into the system, so there is no medical harm that happens when given to someone who is sober.

Additional Resources

Nicasa offers FREE Narcan and test strips for both fentanyl and xylazine. These products are crucial for reducing harm involved with substance use and overdose reversal. Stop by any of Nicasa’s outpatient offices to receive free training on these products.

Nicasa is proud to be able to provide this valuable, life saving tool to members of our community and assist Lake County first responders with training and access. Nicasa can also provide training and additional resources for those looking to educate their community and workplace. Please contact our Deflection Coordinator, Andrea Usry, at ausry@nicasa.org for more information or to schedule a training.

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing concerns with substance use and/or other challenges, please contact Nicasa Behavioral Health Services at 847-546-6450 or email info@nicasa.org.

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 1st is International Overdose Awareness Day; a day to raise awareness and commemorate loved ones who have died from a drug overdose. According to the CDC, over 70,000 Americans died from a drug-involved overdose in 2019 alone. That number reflects the fact our nation is currently suffering from a serious opioid epidemic.

Losing a loved one to a drug overdose is a terrible burden to carry. The loss changes you forever, and most people simply aren’t equipped to deal with the emotional turmoil that follows. 

After years of counseling people grieving the loss of a loved one due to a drug overdose, I have learned they carry a lot of guilt. Guilt because they feel they should have seen the signs; should have done something more; should have somehow known their loved one was in trouble.

My clients also deal with the stigma that surrounds death from an overdose. People often judge others harshly. For instance, people immediately think the parents must have done something wrong or there was something “not right” with the addict in the first place to abuse drugs.

And finally, there is a real sense of isolation that can follow the death of a loved one from a drug overdose. Oftentimes, people have no idea what to say to the grieving, and so they choose to remain silent and keep their distance. As one client told me, “No one brings cake or a casserole when your son dies from a heroin overdose.”

Processing Your Grief

When a loved one suddenly and tragically dies, part of us dies, too. We spend our days going through the motions of life, but we’re not really in the land of the living. A sudden death strips us of our sense of security, and we’re left trying to pick up the pieces while dealing with anxiety and depression.

Sometimes, when things are so dark, you need a guiding hand to show you the way back to the light. While your life will never be the same after such a tragic and sudden loss, but you can heal from what feels like insurmountable grief. Many of my clients found by working with me through their stages of grief, they were able to accept their new reality. Many have told me they believe creating a happy life is the best way to honor their loved ones.

If you are struggling after the loss of your loved one, please know you are not alone. I can help you process and, more importantly perhaps, honor your grief, so that you may find light on the other side of darkness.

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3 Ways Teens Can Benefit from Therapy

Not many of us remember our teenage years as walks in the park. That’s because this time in our life is punctuated by uncertainties, social pressure, and a surge of hormones. Because of this perfect storm, many teens act out, which can cause a lot of chaos and disruption in the home and family.

Here are 3 reasons why teens can benefit from therapy:

Self-Worth Issues

Most teens have a certain level of self-worth issues growing through this awkward phase. But there are those teens that really suffer from low self-esteem. Therapy can help adolescence build their self-esteem.

Stress

Dealing with school, friendships, work, choosing a college… are all major stressors in a young person’s life. And many teens find it hard to speak with their parents. Therapy offers teens a way to communicate and let go of some steam and pressure that is building up.

Grief and Loss

There should be a rule that no young person should suffer the loss of a close friend or family member. Sadly, many teens do experience loss and the grief that accompanies it. This can be incredibly difficult for the teen and their parents to navigate. A therapist has been trained to know exactly how to guide a young person through the stages of grief.

Anxiety Disorders

It’s perfectly normal for teens to feel worried and anxious at times. But some teens experience such severe anxiety, it negatively impacts their life, schoolwork and relationships. Therapy can help teens learn to manage their symptoms.

Substance Abuse Issues

Unfortunately, many teens learn to cope with the intensity of life by using drugs and alcohol. A therapist can assess a teen’s substance use and determine the best course of action.

These are just some of the benefits teens can gain from working with a therapist. If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

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