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Explore stories, related news and current events.
Overcoming the Far-Reaching Impact of Drug Overdose
“For a long time, I wasn't used to being able to trust someone. But now I have people who I see have recovered helping me. I think, if they can get sober, I can definitely do it. Having a strong support group of guys that I can count on has been the biggest help.”
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Emojis could be a clue to drug activity by teens
Many parents aren’t sure how to go about monitoring their kids’ social media use or even talking with them about substance use. They’re uncomfortable with the idea of confrontation or afraid they’ll alienate their children.
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Mercy Health’s New Beginnings offers help for pregnant women with addiction
Sandy Kiyak’s goal for her patients is simple: to guide each one to the birth of a healthy baby.
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Fentanyl: Small Doses. Big Danger.
Fentanyl’s prevalence has skyrocketed in recent years as the main driver of drug overdose deaths experiencing a nearly 14-fold increase from 2012 to 2019.
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A Dual Challenge: When substance use disorder and mental illness happen together
One affliction can fuel the other, and the link goes both ways.
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Hope and Recovery are Possible for Pregnant Women Facing Addiction
The STEPP clinic provides high-risk obstetric care to any pregnant woman seeking hope and recovery.
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Understanding Mental Health and Addiction in the Latino Community
The Opioid Alliance recently sat down with Lilly Cavanaugh, executive director of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA), to discuss how diverse communities are being impacted by the opioid epidemic and best practices for addressing the disparities that exist.
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Comprensión de la salud mental y las adicciones en la comunidad latina
La Alianza para la Educación en Opioides de Ohio (Ohio Opioid Education Alliance) se reunió recientemente con Lilly Cavanaugh, directora ejecutiva de la Comisión sobre Asuntos Hispanos y Latinos de Ohio (Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, OCHLA), para analizar cómo las comunidades diversas están siendo afectadas por la epidemia de opioides y las mejores prácticas para abordar las disparidades existentes.
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It’s Spring! Time to Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet
Twice a year, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
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The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Substance Use
Many of us were taught from a young age to keep our family’s dysfunctions a secret. If for nothing else, just to save face with our neighbors and friends.
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A Tough Balancing Act: Kids’ Screen Time
Eight hours. That’s the average time kids spend in front of a screen for entertainment each day. From watching TV to scrolling through social media and playing video games, in the course of a year our kids spend 114 full days watching screens for fun .
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An Artistic and Student-Led Approach to Addressing Issues Impacting Black and Brown Youth: The Paragon Project
The Paragon Project was born with a goal to use music to address social issues impacting youth, like peer pressure, depression and drug and alcohol use.
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Addressing Youth Mental Health Crises to Prevent Substance Misuse
Dr. Elizabeth Harris, a child psychologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, explains how children are being impacted by the pandemic, and how children of color, in particular, are facing unique stressors.
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Substance Misuse Risk Factors in Adolescents
Most adults who have a substance use disorder first began using substances during their adolescence years. The experiences during this critical time can have long-lasting impacts on one’s health and well-being.
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Ohio’s Opioid Epidemic: Taking Action in the Workplace
Ohio businesses play an important role in helping to combat the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state.
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Addressing Ohio’s Opioid Epidemic with a Culturally Responsive Lens
As Ohio’s opioid crisis in minority populations continues to increase, the need to adapt services and outreach methods to better meet the needs of a diverse constituency has become more important than ever.
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Managing Negative Emotions During a Unique Holiday Season
Many of us are feeling negative emotions this holiday season due to isolation, postponed yearly traditions and gatherings with loved ones, which can lead to negative actions like substance abuse.
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Opioid Alliance Named a Winner in the 2020 Sharecare Awards
The Ohio Opioid Education Alliance was named a winner in the 2020 Sharecare Awards in the category of addiction/recovery for the Denial, OH campaign.
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Words and Imagery Matter: The Struggle to Destigmatize Addiction
As a society, we have a responsibility to correct stereotypes and misperceptions that negatively impact how we view those with addictive behaviors and how their addiction is addressed.
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Drug Disposal Can Save a Life
The safest way to dispose of unused or unwanted medication is by dropping it off at a prescription drug drop-off site.
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Concern from County Coroner as Overdose Deaths Increase
Overdose deaths are on the rise in Central Ohio. The impacts of COVID-19 are playing a significant role.
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10 Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Pills
Families now have more reason and opportunity than ever before to talk with their kids about the dangers of misusing prescription drugs. The Opioid Alliance is here to provide tips on how to “have the talk” with your children.
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Ohio Opioid Education Alliance Launches New PSA Campaign
A new PSA campaign warns parents and caregivers about the increase in mental health issues and the heightened risk of substance misuse brought on by the pandemic.
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Youth Substance Abuse Warning Signs
Do you know the warning signs of substance abuse? Use these 10 indicators to assess whether your teen could be misusing drugs.
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A Collision of Crises: How the Coronavirus Pandemic is Exacerbating the Opioid Epidemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting mental health and increasing the risk for substance misuse.
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Developing the Denial, OH Campaign
Nationwide CMO Ramon Jones and Marketing Director Melissa Nail discuss how the Denial, OH campaign was developed.
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Behavioral Health Providers Experiencing Increased Need for Services During COVID-19
Maryhaven CEO Shawn Holt shares how COVID-19 is impacting behavioral health providers.
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Local Faith Leaders Convene to Address Opioid Misuse in Their Congregations
For families dealing with substance use disorders, their church, mosque or synagogue should be a safe place to turn for help.
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New Study Validates Effectiveness of Denial, OH Campaign
New Study Validates Effectiveness of Denial, OH Campaign But Many Remain in Denial on Opioid Abuse.
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Back to School is the Time to Talk about Opioids
It's clear that talking to kids about drugs can reduce their risk of use by up to 50%.
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs
1 in 4 teens will misuse or abuse a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime.
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Staying busy during the stay-at-home order is essential for people in recovery
Suddenly, many people in recovery have a lot more free time on their hands and look to virtual meetings to help maintain regular collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services urging people to use COVID-19 resources
Lori Criss, Director of Ohio Health Mental Health and Addiction Services announces the launch of the “COVID Careline," which is a free confidential phone service where people can talk to a licensed counselor about mental health during the pandemic.
Treatment for people in recovery doesn't stop during coronavirus pandemic
At Central Ohio’s oldest and most comprehensive treatment center, Maryhaven, employees help people and families dealing with addiction and mental illness. But now, many patients are joining group therapy chats or “telehealth” conferences with their health specialist to avoid possibly spreading the coronavirus.
Medication treatment for opioid use disorder provides the opportunity for recovery
Research shows that medication should be a primary treatment for opioid use disorder, but why are so few teens and young adults getting care? Nearly 6 million people between the ages of 12 and 25 have a substance abuse problem and during this national crisis, too many young people are facing an opioid use disorder.
Town Hall - Healing Together: Confronting the Opioid Crisis
ABC6 News & the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance investigate the increase in opioid overdose deaths. A variety of panelists offer viable solutions to a widespread problem affecting every corner of the state.
