Overdose Prevention - Hamilton County Health Department

May 9 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Often consumed unknowingly by users, illicit fentanyl is driving the recent increase in US overdose deaths. Learn more at https://www.fentanylawarenessday.org/.

The 2022 Overdose Surveillance Report for Hamilton County is now available on the Health Department’s Overdose Prevention webpage at https://bit.ly/3GdyZnT. Overdoses can affect anyone. To find help, call/ text the TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789.

Preliminary data from the CDC shows that drug overdoses in the U.S. increased by 29% in 2020.

In the event of a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately, administer naloxone if available and you have been trained, and stay with the person until help arrives.

Drug misuse affects the brain and how it responds to pleasure. The brain can recover though, and there are many pathways to recovery! To explore some of those pathways, visit https://www.recoveryanswers.org/recovery-101/pathways-to-recovery/.

CPD Narcotics Investigators are issuing a public safety warning after a recent uptick of overdose deaths that they suspect are related to fentanyl. Since Feb 1, Chattanooga has seen 10 overdose deaths in what is a part of the nationwide opioid crisis. If you are struggling with a substance abuse problem, please reach out to the Hamilton County Coalition / M. L. King W**d & Seed. They have resources ready and available to anyone who may need them. If you have a friend or loved one who is struggling with this please be mindful of the current environment for opioid users. It appears to be particularly dangerous for them right now

The 2021 Quarter 3 Drug Overdose Surveillance Report for Hamilton County is now available on the Hamilton County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention webpage - https://bit.ly/3fGcJp3.

Our words matter and how we talk about addiction matters. Let’s be accurate in how we speak about drug misuse and addiction. For more definitions around drug use, Addictionary is a free resource available at https://www.recoveryanswers.org/addiction-ary/.

It's okay not to be okay. Help is always available if you or someone you love is having a hard time this week, or for those struggling with mental health or substance use.

💙 Help yourself & share to help others: https://samhsa.gov/find-help

Do you need help with your mental health?
If you don't know where to start, this infographic may help guide you. https://go.usa.gov/xGfxz

Addiction is..

Treatable – research shows combining behavioral therapy with medications is the best way to ensure success, but no single treatment is right for everyone (1)

Chronic – it persists for a long time or reoccurs (1)

Complex – involves interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and life experiences (2)

Compulsive – with continued use, the ability to exert self-control becomes impaired (1)

Continuing use despite harmful consequences – addiction alters how the brain functions and how pleasure is processed (1)

A disease – caused by a combination of behavioral, psychological, environmental, and biological factors (2)

If you are struggling with an addiction to a substance and want help, TN Redline is available to provide resources at 1-800-889-9789. For more resources, visit our webpage at https://bit.ly/3x9wHAe.



-----------

Sources:
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. Drugabuse.gov. Published July 2020. Accessed November 2021. https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/soa.pdf.
2. American Society of Addiction Medicine. Definition of addiction. Asam.org. Published September 2019. Accessed November 2021. https://www.asam.org/Quality-Science/definition-of-addiction.