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[title] => How to Stay Close with Your Struggling Child
[link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/how-to-stay-close-with-your-struggling-child/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-stay-close-with-your-struggling-child
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[pubdate] => Wed, 09 Feb 2022 17:29:14 +0000
[category] => For the Family & Loved Ones
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[description] => How to Stay Close with Your Struggling Child Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:58:54 +0000 This article originally appeared on: cathytaughinbaugh.com/how-to-stay-close-with-your-struggling-child/Are
The post How to Stay Close with Your Struggling Child appeared first on All In Solutions.
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[summary] => How to Stay Close with Your Struggling Child Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:58:54 +0000 This article originally appeared on: cathytaughinbaugh.com/how-to-stay-close-with-your-struggling-child/Are
The post How to Stay Close with Your Struggling Child appeared first on All In Solutions.
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[title] => Dry January: Should You Do It?
[link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/dry-january-should-you-do-it/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dry-january-should-you-do-it
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[pubdate] => Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:30:48 +0000
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[description] => Dry January: Should You Do It? Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:58:00 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.thefix.com/dry-january-should-you-do-itMore than a
The post Dry January: Should You Do It? appeared first on All In Solutions.
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[encoded] => Dry January: Should You Do It?
Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:58:00 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.thefix.com/dry-january-should-you-do-itMore than a week into the New Year, you might still be feeling the residual hangover from the holiday season. Too much food, too much socializing and too much alcohol can all take a toll during the busy months of November and December. That makes January the perfect time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol, and maybe even participate in a Dry January. It’s not too late to jump into the challenge, which can have wide-ranging health benefits for the whole year.What is Dry January?Dry January is a challenge where people who are not normally sober commit to not using alcohol for the 31 days of January. The challenge was started by the awareness group Alcohol Change UK, and it’s since become a global phenomenon with millions of participants.Although the month has already started, it’s not too late to start the challenge. You can even extend it into February to make up for lost time and cover the full 31 days.The timing isn’t necessarily important. What is key is taking the time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol, and become more mindful about how, when and why you drink. For many people, drinking becomes a habit that we engage with rather mindfully. Taking an intentional break from alcohol consumption can shed insight into your alcohol use. That rings true whether you take a break in January, July, October or any other month.“The brilliant thing about Dry January is that it’s not really about January. Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, to socialize,” said Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK. “That means that for the rest of the year we are better able to make decisions about our drinking, and to avoid slipping into drinking more than we really want to.”A quick safety note: It’s healthy for most people to scale back on their alcohol use, but stopping cold turkey can be dangerous for very heavy drinkers. If you are dependent on alcohol, it’s best to seek professional treatment to stop use, according to Sunshine Coast Health Centre.Benefits of Dry JanuaryA month is short — just four Friday nights spent sober. And yet, it can have a big impact on health. In 2018, researchers from the UK published a study on Dry January in the British Medical Journal. The paper found that moderate to heavy drinkers who abstained from alcohol for a month saw a reduction in insulin resistance, weight and blood pressure, as well as fewer biomarkers for cancer growth.Dry January can also leave you feeling better, mentally emotionally and financially. Another 2018 study found that roughly 70% of people who participate in Dry January reported getting better sleep, and having more energy. No surprisingly, there was also monetary benefit to laying off the booze: 88% of participants said that they saved money during the challenge.Those benefits last longer than just the month that you’re abstaining. The same 2018 study found that people who started the year with a Dry January were still drinking less in August, suggesting that taking a few weeks off from drinking can result in a lasting change to one’s relationship with alcohol.Dry January During the PandemicDuring the pandemic, many people have been drinking more, often when they are stuck at home. Alcohol stores have even been exempt from many mandated closures. With dreary news about the pandemic spreading with the omicron surge, Dry January could potentially help people from skipping into even more problematic drinking patterns, according to Sharon Wilsnack, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of North Dakota.”Dry January is a useful tool in telling to what extent we have become dependent on alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wilsnack told TODAY.Most participants in Dry January reported that the challenge made them think more closely about their relationship with alcohol. More than 70% reported that they realized that they don’t need to drink to have fun and relax. During a time when the negative health implications of alcohol use are on the rise, that can be a welcome change in perspective that helps usher in a new year of health and wellness.Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a non 12-step drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in British Columbia. Learn more here.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a behavioral health network of addiction treatment providers. We provide inpatient & outpatient addiction treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post Dry January: Should You Do It? appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/dry-january-should-you-do-it/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>Dry January: Should You Do It? Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:58:00 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.thefix.com/dry-january-should-you-do-itMore than a
The post Dry January: Should You Do It? appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>Dry January: Should You Do It?
Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:58:00 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.thefix.com/dry-january-should-you-do-itMore than a week into the New Year, you might still be feeling the residual hangover from the holiday season. Too much food, too much socializing and too much alcohol can all take a toll during the busy months of November and December. That makes January the perfect time to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol, and maybe even participate in a Dry January. It’s not too late to jump into the challenge, which can have wide-ranging health benefits for the whole year.What is Dry January?Dry January is a challenge where people who are not normally sober commit to not using alcohol for the 31 days of January. The challenge was started by the awareness group Alcohol Change UK, and it’s since become a global phenomenon with millions of participants.Although the month has already started, it’s not too late to start the challenge. You can even extend it into February to make up for lost time and cover the full 31 days.The timing isn’t necessarily important. What is key is taking the time to reflect on your relationship with alcohol, and become more mindful about how, when and why you drink. For many people, drinking becomes a habit that we engage with rather mindfully. Taking an intentional break from alcohol consumption can shed insight into your alcohol use. That rings true whether you take a break in January, July, October or any other month.“The brilliant thing about Dry January is that it’s not really about January. Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, to socialize,” said Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK. “That means that for the rest of the year we are better able to make decisions about our drinking, and to avoid slipping into drinking more than we really want to.”A quick safety note: It’s healthy for most people to scale back on their alcohol use, but stopping cold turkey can be dangerous for very heavy drinkers. If you are dependent on alcohol, it’s best to seek professional treatment to stop use, according to Sunshine Coast Health Centre.Benefits of Dry JanuaryA month is short — just four Friday nights spent sober. And yet, it can have a big impact on health. In 2018, researchers from the UK published a study on Dry January in the British Medical Journal. The paper found that moderate to heavy drinkers who abstained from alcohol for a month saw a reduction in insulin resistance, weight and blood pressure, as well as fewer biomarkers for cancer growth.Dry January can also leave you feeling better, mentally emotionally and financially. Another 2018 study found that roughly 70% of people who participate in Dry January reported getting better sleep, and having more energy. No surprisingly, there was also monetary benefit to laying off the booze: 88% of participants said that they saved money during the challenge.Those benefits last longer than just the month that you’re abstaining. The same 2018 study found that people who started the year with a Dry January were still drinking less in August, suggesting that taking a few weeks off from drinking can result in a lasting change to one’s relationship with alcohol.Dry January During the PandemicDuring the pandemic, many people have been drinking more, often when they are stuck at home. Alcohol stores have even been exempt from many mandated closures. With dreary news about the pandemic spreading with the omicron surge, Dry January could potentially help people from skipping into even more problematic drinking patterns, according to Sharon Wilsnack, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of North Dakota.”Dry January is a useful tool in telling to what extent we have become dependent on alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wilsnack told TODAY.Most participants in Dry January reported that the challenge made them think more closely about their relationship with alcohol. More than 70% reported that they realized that they don’t need to drink to have fun and relax. During a time when the negative health implications of alcohol use are on the rise, that can be a welcome change in perspective that helps usher in a new year of health and wellness.Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a non 12-step drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in British Columbia. Learn more here.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a behavioral health network of addiction treatment providers. We provide inpatient & outpatient addiction treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post Dry January: Should You Do It? appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644417048 ) [2] => Array ( [title] => Sober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible? [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/sober-up-fast-is-it-even-possible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sober-up-fast-is-it-even-possible [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/sober-up-fast-is-it-even-possible/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Wed, 09 Feb 2022 00:10:08 +0000 [category] => For the Family & Loved Ones [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8849 [description] =>The post Sober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible? appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>The post Sober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible? appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/sober-up-fast-is-it-even-possible/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>The post Sober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible? appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>The post Sober Up Fast – Is It Even Possible? appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644365408 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:04:50 +0000 [category] => Uncategorized [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8833 [description] =>Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:08:53 +0000 This article originally appeared on: atforum.com/2022/01/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/ Richard Saitz, M.D.,
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:08:53 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
atforum.com/2022/01/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/
Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H., internationally and locally respected in alcohol and drug addiction research, died January 15 from pancreatic cancer. Dr. Saitz, who changed the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and whose commitment to his patients was well known, was also a beloved mentor to up and coming addiction scholars and clinicians.
Dr. Saitz was professor of medicine at Boston University, where he directed Boston Medical Center’s Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit for more than a decade. He was associate editor for the Journal of the American Medical Association, editor-in chief of the Journal of Addiction Medicine, section editor and sole author of key chapters in UpToDate on healthy substance use, an editor of the ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, editor emeritus of Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, editor of Evidence-Based Medicine, author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, and former president of the Association for Medial Education and Research in Substance Abuse.
Dr. Saitz never hesitated to respond to our questions, and he was adamant about making addiction treatment more widely available and eliminating language-initiated stigma.
Dr. Saitz was 58 years old; the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on Addiction Treatment Forum.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is an addiction treatment network. We offer outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are individualized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:08:53 +0000 This article originally appeared on: atforum.com/2022/01/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/ Richard Saitz, M.D.,
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Mon, 17 Jan 2022 20:08:53 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
atforum.com/2022/01/obituary-richard-saitz-m-d-m-p-h/
Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H., internationally and locally respected in alcohol and drug addiction research, died January 15 from pancreatic cancer. Dr. Saitz, who changed the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and whose commitment to his patients was well known, was also a beloved mentor to up and coming addiction scholars and clinicians.
Dr. Saitz was professor of medicine at Boston University, where he directed Boston Medical Center’s Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit for more than a decade. He was associate editor for the Journal of the American Medical Association, editor-in chief of the Journal of Addiction Medicine, section editor and sole author of key chapters in UpToDate on healthy substance use, an editor of the ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, editor emeritus of Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, editor of Evidence-Based Medicine, author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, and former president of the Association for Medial Education and Research in Substance Abuse.
Dr. Saitz never hesitated to respond to our questions, and he was adamant about making addiction treatment more widely available and eliminating language-initiated stigma.
Dr. Saitz was 58 years old; the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on Addiction Treatment Forum.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is an addiction treatment network. We offer outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are individualized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/
The post Obituary: Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644343490 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => [Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:34:00 +0000 [category] => Uncategorized [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8831 [description] =>[Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:32:47 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.smartrecovery.org/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/Abdul has been
The post [Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>[Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi
Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:32:47 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.smartrecovery.org/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/
Abdul has been using SMART and other paths to recovery for several years. He appreciates the variety of people who attend SMART meetings and how inclusive it is to everyone. Abdul recently became a facilitator. Helping others has given him a new purpose in life. Watch on our YouTube channel Learn more about becoming a […]
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a behavioral health network of addiction treatment providers. We offer outpatient & inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are customized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery/
The post [Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>[Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:32:47 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.smartrecovery.org/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/Abdul has been
The post [Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>[Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi
Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:32:47 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.smartrecovery.org/video-facilitator-spotlight-abdul-abdillahi/
Abdul has been using SMART and other paths to recovery for several years. He appreciates the variety of people who attend SMART meetings and how inclusive it is to everyone. Abdul recently became a facilitator. Helping others has given him a new purpose in life. Watch on our YouTube channel Learn more about becoming a […]
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a behavioral health network of addiction treatment providers. We offer outpatient & inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are customized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery/
The post [Video] Facilitator Spotlight – Abdul Abdillahi appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644330840 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:09:39 +0000 [category] => Uncategorized [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8826 [description] =>Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:35:00 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.thefix.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recoveryNow that the holidays
The post Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery
Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:35:00 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.thefix.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recoveryNow that the holidays have passed, many of us feel relieved to be done with those obligatory get-togethers and other social functions (Zoom or otherwise). But despite the cookies, and perhaps the cocktails, all that socializing isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, connection can strengthen your recovery from substance abuse or mental health conditions, and even help with physical wellness. So, before you complain about your next social engagement, take a moment to think about the positive impact that connection has on your life.The science of connectionHumans are social creatures. To be our healthiest, most of us require some social connection.”One’s social life matters above and beyond what we already know about the ‘quick fixes,’” like dieting or exercising, researcher Yang Claire Yang told Livestrong.Connection might also be more effective. People with close friends, in general, have their life expectancy extended. Having close connections has as big of an impact on your life expectancy as quitting smoking. In short: it’s super important.Why does connection help keep you healthy? Scientists are still working to answer that, but research has shown that people who have close friendships are less likely to have high blood pressure, and more likely to have healthy immune systems. If you participate in healthy activities like hiking or walking with your friends, the impact on your health can expand even more.Connection as an antidote to addictionHaving a meaningful, fulfilling life can help insulate you from the impact of mental illness and substance use disorder. On the other hand, suffering from loneliness can put you at higher risk for developing behavioral or emotional health issues, because you might not have a meaningful life without personal relationships, says Geoff Thompson, PhD, program director for Sunshine Coast Health Centre in British Columbia.There are two types of loneliness to consider. Situational loneliness is what we’re all familiar with during the pandemic – the inability to see our friends or loved ones in person. Situational loneliness can be painful, but we’re still able to lean on loved ones and friends for support.The more serious type of loneliness, where you feel that you don’t have any close personal relationships. And here’s the thing: you can experience chronic loneliness even when you’re putting yourself out there in the community.“Research suggests that merely increasing social contact—encouraging young people to join the dragon-boat club or arranging card games for the elderly—may not be enough,” Thompson says.Instead, you need to focus on finding meaning in a few core relationships to combat chronic loneliness. Remember this when you’re shuffling around various parties and social functions. When it comes to staying connected, quality is more important than quantity. Take a few minutes to really connect with your friend, sibling, or aunt over a deep conversation, rather than exchanging pleasantries with more people at the party.Social safety netHaving connections, whether friends or family, can help you feel secure that someone will help you if you need it. Relationships can provide a sort of social safety net – you have someone you can call for small things, like picking up a child when you’re running late, or large things, like feeling that your recovery is faltering.Sometimes, especially with family, the people we can count on aren’t necessarily the ones who we feel closest to. You might not be up to date on your brother’s dating life or latest hobby, but you know he would be there if you called in the middle of the night. That’s a different type of connection, but one that is still important.When health means distanceHaving personal relationships can help support health. Unfortunately, not all relationships are healthy ones. If you have connections with friends or family that make you feel drained or unhealthy, rather than invigorated and grateful, you may need to reconsider the role that those people play in your life.While family bonds run deep for many people, you are not obligated to compromise your health or put up with toxicity for anyone – even family.This new year, take time to think about which relationships bring you the most joy. Those are the bonds that will help keep you healthy and support your recovery. Spend more time tending to those relationships, while allowing yourself to step back from relationships that no longer feel meaningful to you.Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a non 12-step drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in British Columbia. Learn more here.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a network of drug and alcohol treatment providers. We provide inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs that are individualized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers/
The post Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recovery/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:35:00 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.thefix.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recoveryNow that the holidays
The post Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery
Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:35:00 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.thefix.com/connection-can-strengthen-your-recoveryNow that the holidays have passed, many of us feel relieved to be done with those obligatory get-togethers and other social functions (Zoom or otherwise). But despite the cookies, and perhaps the cocktails, all that socializing isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, connection can strengthen your recovery from substance abuse or mental health conditions, and even help with physical wellness. So, before you complain about your next social engagement, take a moment to think about the positive impact that connection has on your life.The science of connectionHumans are social creatures. To be our healthiest, most of us require some social connection.”One’s social life matters above and beyond what we already know about the ‘quick fixes,’” like dieting or exercising, researcher Yang Claire Yang told Livestrong.Connection might also be more effective. People with close friends, in general, have their life expectancy extended. Having close connections has as big of an impact on your life expectancy as quitting smoking. In short: it’s super important.Why does connection help keep you healthy? Scientists are still working to answer that, but research has shown that people who have close friendships are less likely to have high blood pressure, and more likely to have healthy immune systems. If you participate in healthy activities like hiking or walking with your friends, the impact on your health can expand even more.Connection as an antidote to addictionHaving a meaningful, fulfilling life can help insulate you from the impact of mental illness and substance use disorder. On the other hand, suffering from loneliness can put you at higher risk for developing behavioral or emotional health issues, because you might not have a meaningful life without personal relationships, says Geoff Thompson, PhD, program director for Sunshine Coast Health Centre in British Columbia.There are two types of loneliness to consider. Situational loneliness is what we’re all familiar with during the pandemic – the inability to see our friends or loved ones in person. Situational loneliness can be painful, but we’re still able to lean on loved ones and friends for support.The more serious type of loneliness, where you feel that you don’t have any close personal relationships. And here’s the thing: you can experience chronic loneliness even when you’re putting yourself out there in the community.“Research suggests that merely increasing social contact—encouraging young people to join the dragon-boat club or arranging card games for the elderly—may not be enough,” Thompson says.Instead, you need to focus on finding meaning in a few core relationships to combat chronic loneliness. Remember this when you’re shuffling around various parties and social functions. When it comes to staying connected, quality is more important than quantity. Take a few minutes to really connect with your friend, sibling, or aunt over a deep conversation, rather than exchanging pleasantries with more people at the party.Social safety netHaving connections, whether friends or family, can help you feel secure that someone will help you if you need it. Relationships can provide a sort of social safety net – you have someone you can call for small things, like picking up a child when you’re running late, or large things, like feeling that your recovery is faltering.Sometimes, especially with family, the people we can count on aren’t necessarily the ones who we feel closest to. You might not be up to date on your brother’s dating life or latest hobby, but you know he would be there if you called in the middle of the night. That’s a different type of connection, but one that is still important.When health means distanceHaving personal relationships can help support health. Unfortunately, not all relationships are healthy ones. If you have connections with friends or family that make you feel drained or unhealthy, rather than invigorated and grateful, you may need to reconsider the role that those people play in your life.While family bonds run deep for many people, you are not obligated to compromise your health or put up with toxicity for anyone – even family.This new year, take time to think about which relationships bring you the most joy. Those are the bonds that will help keep you healthy and support your recovery. Spend more time tending to those relationships, while allowing yourself to step back from relationships that no longer feel meaningful to you.Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a non 12-step drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in British Columbia. Learn more here.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a network of drug and alcohol treatment providers. We provide inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs that are individualized to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers/
The post Connection Can Strengthen Your Recovery appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644278979 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Mon, 07 Feb 2022 17:21:14 +0000 [category] => For the Family & Loved Ones [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8824 [description] =>Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:48:14 +0000 This article originally appeared on: al-anon.org/blog/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/ I
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking
Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:48:14 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
al-anon.org/blog/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/
I woke up filled with dread. It was the day of my monthly breakfast with a small group of moms whose children went to school with mine. My biggest fear was that someone would ask me about my oldest child who had graduated three years earlier.
On that Friday morning, he was 2,000 miles away, with no address, and I did not know whether he was alive or dead. The pain of the last several years consumed me. If only I could feel safe to tell my story, but I knew sharing my secret with this group of moms would brand me and my family in a most unacceptable way.
A short time after that breakfast, I walked into my first Al‑Anon meeting. I was greeted by several warm and friendly faces and invited to take a seat. Once settled into my chair, I noticed a folded card sitting on the table in front of me that read, “I didn’t cause it, I cannot control it, and I cannot cure it.”
As others shared their stories, I noticed many were like mine. I also became aware that there was no criticism, judgment, or advice given; instead, those in the room simply listened. The strength in the stories shared that day gave me hope, and the warmth and loving interchange among the people in the meeting allowed me to release the shame that had been holding me prisoner.
Shame tells me that anyone who knows my story will think less of me. The truth is, telling my story to safe people in Al‑Anon offers me the freedom and opportunity to move forward through my circumstances.
By Tammy B., Florida
The Forum, October 2021
Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on Al-Anon Family Groups.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is an addiction treatment network. We offer inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs that are uniquely designed to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:48:14 +0000 This article originally appeared on: al-anon.org/blog/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/ I
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking
Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:48:14 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
al-anon.org/blog/released-from-shame-over-my-sons-drinking/
I woke up filled with dread. It was the day of my monthly breakfast with a small group of moms whose children went to school with mine. My biggest fear was that someone would ask me about my oldest child who had graduated three years earlier.
On that Friday morning, he was 2,000 miles away, with no address, and I did not know whether he was alive or dead. The pain of the last several years consumed me. If only I could feel safe to tell my story, but I knew sharing my secret with this group of moms would brand me and my family in a most unacceptable way.
A short time after that breakfast, I walked into my first Al‑Anon meeting. I was greeted by several warm and friendly faces and invited to take a seat. Once settled into my chair, I noticed a folded card sitting on the table in front of me that read, “I didn’t cause it, I cannot control it, and I cannot cure it.”
As others shared their stories, I noticed many were like mine. I also became aware that there was no criticism, judgment, or advice given; instead, those in the room simply listened. The strength in the stories shared that day gave me hope, and the warmth and loving interchange among the people in the meeting allowed me to release the shame that had been holding me prisoner.
Shame tells me that anyone who knows my story will think less of me. The truth is, telling my story to safe people in Al‑Anon offers me the freedom and opportunity to move forward through my circumstances.
By Tammy B., Florida
The Forum, October 2021
Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on Al-Anon Family Groups.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is an addiction treatment network. We offer inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs that are uniquely designed to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post Released from Shame over My Son’s Drinking appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644254474 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:55:26 +0000 [category] => Uncategorized [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8822 [description] =>Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers Thu, 13 Jan 2022
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers
Thu, 13 Jan 2022 21:09:53 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
atforum.com/2022/01/studies-covid-19-restrictions-otps/
“No Home to Take Methadone to,” a story recently published on this website, investigated the effects of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on opioid treatment programs (OTPs). That story shows it’s essential to listen to whatpatients, not just providers, sayabout patients’ treatment experiences. It also shows that most participants found their experience with addiction service access as “destabilizing” or “unjust.”
Discussed below is a new article that looks at the same topic, and listens to patients—yet finds that patients’ opinions were generally favorable—a marked difference from patients’ opinions gleaned in the first study.
Selected as participants in the new study were 46 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) enrolled at three rural OTPs in Oregon. The patients were English-speaking adults receiving varying OTP take-home doses of methadone, in accordance with COVID-19-related policy changes. (See box.)
Methadone Take-Homes: Doses Per PatientDosePercentage of patients1 per weekone-third2 to 6 per weekone-fourth13 per 2 weeksone-fifth27 per monthone-fifth
Individual qualitative interviews took place by phone, in two phases: August–October 2020 and November 2020–January 2021. Trained interviewers conducted all interviews, which were professionally recorded and transcribed. The average interview lasted 33 minutes.
Patients answered questions on COVID-10-related changes to methadone take-home dosing and OTP procedures, benefits and challenges involving take-home methadone, safety concerns involving infection and overdose, and policy considerations for post-pandemic assessment.
About 80% of participants had some education beyond high school levelOnly 7% had been homeless at some point during the previous 6 months96% identified themselves as Caucasian/White
Participants described some fears and anxieties involving ongoing methadone access. Many also had safety concerns that preceded the policy changes. Yet participants quickly adapted to the changes, because the protocols soon seemed “natural” to them.
Most participants acknowledged substantial benefits to increased take-homes. The benefits were independent of reducing COVID-19 infection risk, and included feeling more like a normal person.” Specific benefits cited were improved recovery support, less time spent traveling, and more time available for family and work.
Looking to a post-pandemic future, participants thought that continuing some COVID-19-related safety protocols would reduce risk of other infections, reduce stress at OTPs, and lead to patient care that would be more individualized.
dapting to Changing OTP Policies: Participants’ Comments
Participants noticed that policy changes were quickly implemented. Some comments:
One day it was like boom. Everything changed … but [providers] didn’t over-react. They didn’t panic…
Extensive safety precautions were rapidly rolled out … and participants adhered, keeping themselves and others safe
Sometimes you don’t want to wear a mask, it’s suffocating… [but if] we want to be safe and not catch [COVID], then that’s it.
Policies like mask-wearing soon seemed routine.
Now everybody is kind of used to it.
Some participants said that take-home dosing and less frequent OTP visits gave them a feeling of stability. Some commented that having more take-homes provided a feeling of pride.
… you feel you are being trusted to take care of yourself, and do the right thing…it felt great…that I was on the right track in my recovery
It also helped participants avoid unstable patients. Seeing people “nodding out” could, some said, trigger a desire to “go get high.”
Many put to good use the money and time they’d previously spent for daily visits.
It gives me a little break
[No need to] arrange childcare
Social distancing reduces confrontations and creates “a more supportive environment for recovery and mental health”
… too many people in the waiting room… triggers anxiety
People see other people they have a problem with, so “a lot of fights seem to happen”
A few participants mentioned challenges, such as temptation.
Some people don’t trust themselves.
As for continuing the new protocols post-pandemic, some participants felt that doing so would help prevent other infections.
Overall, most participants quickly adapted to the protocols. They had little difficulty managing take-homes, using lockboxes, and dosing as instructed.
The authors offered several ideas.
Policymakers could give more thought to criteria for assessing patient stability“Technology-assisted dosing via tele-monitoring,” automated home medication dispensers, and home delivery of methadone could be consideredAnother possibility: office-based methadone; “Pilot studies transferring stable patients from OTPs to primary care settings for ongoing methadone have been successful”
The authors noted that the insights and benefits their study revealed “should inform future policy development post-pandemic to better address the ongoing overdose epidemic.”
As the pandemic progressed, participants in the current study adapted to rapidly changing OTP policies. They noted many benefits to increased take-homes and other COVID-19 protocols—including some benefits they hadn’t anticipated, such as strengthened self-efficacy and recovery, and reduced interpersonal conflict. Their overall response to the changing policies was positive.
These findings clearly differ from those of the earlier study, “No Home to Take Methadone to.” Participants in the earlier study broadly described experiences with addiction service access during the pandemic as: “Liberating” – 7 participants; “Destabilizing” – 8; “Unjust” – 5.
So only about one-third of the study group had a positive response.
What’s behind the differences in patients’ responses in the two studies? We invited the lead author of each study to comment. Dr. Levander’s response, directly below, is followed by Dr. Harris’ response.
Dr. Levander:
Our assessment, after further review of both studies, is that the findings are more similar and complementary than different and conflicting. The differences in the papers reflect different samples and research questions.
Our study, the Oregon analysis, specifically focused on interviewing individuals in care in three OTPs that served rural counties. Study participants were, for the most part, stable OTP participants, and many had been in care for months to years. The interviews focused on how the relaxation of the take-home methadone restrictions affected their care.
The Boston study differed substantially. Participants were drawn from individuals who had a history of opioid overdose, and were being treated in an emergency department in an urban setting. Also, to help prevent future overdoses, intervention was supported with medications for opioid use disorder. Participants apparently were new to care, and their condition was relatively unstable.
Note that 50% of the eligible sample were not located, and were, we assume, not in care. The questions were not specific to only the take-home relaxations. The six topics were broad questions about their response to the pandemic and access to all types of substance use disorder treatment and harm-reduction services.
Our Oregon sample broadly reflected the same perspectives as the Boston participants who felt the policy changes were liberating; they had more access to take-homes, and, as a result, less travel time to and from the OTP. Individuals who were newer to care and receiving fewer take-homes sometimes expressed concerns like those the Boston participants characterized as “destabilizing”—the value of the OTP structure and in-person support.
Both studies concluded with the importance of delivering patient-centered care for substance use disorder. This requires centering on the voices and needs of patients when developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies.
Ximena Levander, MD, MCR
Dr. Levander is an assistant professor of medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University, with a special focus on addiction medicine.
§ § §
Dr. Harris agreed with many of Dr. Levander’s comments. Here are her remarks:
Dr. Harris:
Our study populations were very different. Our population included people with a history of overdose, some of whom had long-term connections with OTPs and buprenorphine, but 30% of whom were not on any form of medication for opioid use disorder [MOUD]. Only 50% of participants were in methadone programs, and some of these participants had recently started methadone treatment in our study.
Additionally, and I believe most importantly, only 6% of Dr. Levander’s study participants were unhoused in the past six months, compared to 40% in our study. An additional 15% were in some form of residential housing in our study as well, reflecting a degree of housing insecurity. This is a large difference in terms of the level of structural marginalization our study participants were experiencing.
Participants in the Boston study faced with this level of structural marginalization did not stand to benefit from the relaxed restrictions in the unjust group, because their lack of housing and other social supports precluded them from being given the opportunity for take-homes or engaging in tele-therapy/MOUD. Therefore, it is not that these participants had “negative” experiences per se with the relaxed restrictions, they were simply excluded, and this was perceived as unjust.
For those who felt changes were destabilizing, this group too were either mostly unhoused or recently housed. Part of the destabilizing experiences may have been related to not attending an OTP daily, but were also related to fractures with their community supports with the shutting of in-person services, such as counselor services at the methadone clinics, and the closure of syringe service programs physical spaces that had been places for community gathering and connection.
Therefore, our conclusion stands and is greatly supported by Dr. Levander’s findings, liberalizations to methadone and tele-buprenorphine offer an opportunity for greater patient-centered care in the US, which we know is associated with better outcomes.
However, for benefits to be equitably experienced, we must reduce structural marginalization faced by those using these services. Namely, increase access to low-barrier housing for people with an opioid use disorder, and ensure methadone clinic hours are expanded and transportation is provided for those who need it to increase access and flexibility.
Miriam Harris, MD, MSc
Dr. Harris is an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, and an addiction expert at Boston Medical Center.
Reference
Levander XA, Hoffman KA, McIlveen JW, McCarty D, Terashima JP, Korthuis PT. Rural opioid treatment program patient perspectives on take-home methadone policy changes during COVID-19: a qualitative thematic analysis. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2021;16(1):72. Published 2021 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s13722-021-00281-3
The Previous Study
Harris MTH, Lambert AM, Maschke AD, Bagley SM, Walley AY, Gunn CM. “No home to take methadone to”: Experiences with addiction services during the COVID-19 pandemic among survivors of opioid overdose in Boston [published online ahead of print, 2021 Nov 4]. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2021;108655. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108655
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on Addiction Treatment Forum.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a network of addiction treatment providers. We outpatient and inpatient addiction treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/two-studies-look-at-effects-of-relaxed-covid-19-restrictions-on-otpsand-come-up-with-different-answers/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers Thu, 13 Jan 2022
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers
Thu, 13 Jan 2022 21:09:53 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
atforum.com/2022/01/studies-covid-19-restrictions-otps/
“No Home to Take Methadone to,” a story recently published on this website, investigated the effects of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on opioid treatment programs (OTPs). That story shows it’s essential to listen to whatpatients, not just providers, sayabout patients’ treatment experiences. It also shows that most participants found their experience with addiction service access as “destabilizing” or “unjust.”
Discussed below is a new article that looks at the same topic, and listens to patients—yet finds that patients’ opinions were generally favorable—a marked difference from patients’ opinions gleaned in the first study.
Selected as participants in the new study were 46 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) enrolled at three rural OTPs in Oregon. The patients were English-speaking adults receiving varying OTP take-home doses of methadone, in accordance with COVID-19-related policy changes. (See box.)
Methadone Take-Homes: Doses Per PatientDosePercentage of patients1 per weekone-third2 to 6 per weekone-fourth13 per 2 weeksone-fifth27 per monthone-fifth
Individual qualitative interviews took place by phone, in two phases: August–October 2020 and November 2020–January 2021. Trained interviewers conducted all interviews, which were professionally recorded and transcribed. The average interview lasted 33 minutes.
Patients answered questions on COVID-10-related changes to methadone take-home dosing and OTP procedures, benefits and challenges involving take-home methadone, safety concerns involving infection and overdose, and policy considerations for post-pandemic assessment.
About 80% of participants had some education beyond high school levelOnly 7% had been homeless at some point during the previous 6 months96% identified themselves as Caucasian/White
Participants described some fears and anxieties involving ongoing methadone access. Many also had safety concerns that preceded the policy changes. Yet participants quickly adapted to the changes, because the protocols soon seemed “natural” to them.
Most participants acknowledged substantial benefits to increased take-homes. The benefits were independent of reducing COVID-19 infection risk, and included feeling more like a normal person.” Specific benefits cited were improved recovery support, less time spent traveling, and more time available for family and work.
Looking to a post-pandemic future, participants thought that continuing some COVID-19-related safety protocols would reduce risk of other infections, reduce stress at OTPs, and lead to patient care that would be more individualized.
dapting to Changing OTP Policies: Participants’ Comments
Participants noticed that policy changes were quickly implemented. Some comments:
One day it was like boom. Everything changed … but [providers] didn’t over-react. They didn’t panic…
Extensive safety precautions were rapidly rolled out … and participants adhered, keeping themselves and others safe
Sometimes you don’t want to wear a mask, it’s suffocating… [but if] we want to be safe and not catch [COVID], then that’s it.
Policies like mask-wearing soon seemed routine.
Now everybody is kind of used to it.
Some participants said that take-home dosing and less frequent OTP visits gave them a feeling of stability. Some commented that having more take-homes provided a feeling of pride.
… you feel you are being trusted to take care of yourself, and do the right thing…it felt great…that I was on the right track in my recovery
It also helped participants avoid unstable patients. Seeing people “nodding out” could, some said, trigger a desire to “go get high.”
Many put to good use the money and time they’d previously spent for daily visits.
It gives me a little break
[No need to] arrange childcare
Social distancing reduces confrontations and creates “a more supportive environment for recovery and mental health”
… too many people in the waiting room… triggers anxiety
People see other people they have a problem with, so “a lot of fights seem to happen”
A few participants mentioned challenges, such as temptation.
Some people don’t trust themselves.
As for continuing the new protocols post-pandemic, some participants felt that doing so would help prevent other infections.
Overall, most participants quickly adapted to the protocols. They had little difficulty managing take-homes, using lockboxes, and dosing as instructed.
The authors offered several ideas.
Policymakers could give more thought to criteria for assessing patient stability“Technology-assisted dosing via tele-monitoring,” automated home medication dispensers, and home delivery of methadone could be consideredAnother possibility: office-based methadone; “Pilot studies transferring stable patients from OTPs to primary care settings for ongoing methadone have been successful”
The authors noted that the insights and benefits their study revealed “should inform future policy development post-pandemic to better address the ongoing overdose epidemic.”
As the pandemic progressed, participants in the current study adapted to rapidly changing OTP policies. They noted many benefits to increased take-homes and other COVID-19 protocols—including some benefits they hadn’t anticipated, such as strengthened self-efficacy and recovery, and reduced interpersonal conflict. Their overall response to the changing policies was positive.
These findings clearly differ from those of the earlier study, “No Home to Take Methadone to.” Participants in the earlier study broadly described experiences with addiction service access during the pandemic as: “Liberating” – 7 participants; “Destabilizing” – 8; “Unjust” – 5.
So only about one-third of the study group had a positive response.
What’s behind the differences in patients’ responses in the two studies? We invited the lead author of each study to comment. Dr. Levander’s response, directly below, is followed by Dr. Harris’ response.
Dr. Levander:
Our assessment, after further review of both studies, is that the findings are more similar and complementary than different and conflicting. The differences in the papers reflect different samples and research questions.
Our study, the Oregon analysis, specifically focused on interviewing individuals in care in three OTPs that served rural counties. Study participants were, for the most part, stable OTP participants, and many had been in care for months to years. The interviews focused on how the relaxation of the take-home methadone restrictions affected their care.
The Boston study differed substantially. Participants were drawn from individuals who had a history of opioid overdose, and were being treated in an emergency department in an urban setting. Also, to help prevent future overdoses, intervention was supported with medications for opioid use disorder. Participants apparently were new to care, and their condition was relatively unstable.
Note that 50% of the eligible sample were not located, and were, we assume, not in care. The questions were not specific to only the take-home relaxations. The six topics were broad questions about their response to the pandemic and access to all types of substance use disorder treatment and harm-reduction services.
Our Oregon sample broadly reflected the same perspectives as the Boston participants who felt the policy changes were liberating; they had more access to take-homes, and, as a result, less travel time to and from the OTP. Individuals who were newer to care and receiving fewer take-homes sometimes expressed concerns like those the Boston participants characterized as “destabilizing”—the value of the OTP structure and in-person support.
Both studies concluded with the importance of delivering patient-centered care for substance use disorder. This requires centering on the voices and needs of patients when developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies.
Ximena Levander, MD, MCR
Dr. Levander is an assistant professor of medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University, with a special focus on addiction medicine.
§ § §
Dr. Harris agreed with many of Dr. Levander’s comments. Here are her remarks:
Dr. Harris:
Our study populations were very different. Our population included people with a history of overdose, some of whom had long-term connections with OTPs and buprenorphine, but 30% of whom were not on any form of medication for opioid use disorder [MOUD]. Only 50% of participants were in methadone programs, and some of these participants had recently started methadone treatment in our study.
Additionally, and I believe most importantly, only 6% of Dr. Levander’s study participants were unhoused in the past six months, compared to 40% in our study. An additional 15% were in some form of residential housing in our study as well, reflecting a degree of housing insecurity. This is a large difference in terms of the level of structural marginalization our study participants were experiencing.
Participants in the Boston study faced with this level of structural marginalization did not stand to benefit from the relaxed restrictions in the unjust group, because their lack of housing and other social supports precluded them from being given the opportunity for take-homes or engaging in tele-therapy/MOUD. Therefore, it is not that these participants had “negative” experiences per se with the relaxed restrictions, they were simply excluded, and this was perceived as unjust.
For those who felt changes were destabilizing, this group too were either mostly unhoused or recently housed. Part of the destabilizing experiences may have been related to not attending an OTP daily, but were also related to fractures with their community supports with the shutting of in-person services, such as counselor services at the methadone clinics, and the closure of syringe service programs physical spaces that had been places for community gathering and connection.
Therefore, our conclusion stands and is greatly supported by Dr. Levander’s findings, liberalizations to methadone and tele-buprenorphine offer an opportunity for greater patient-centered care in the US, which we know is associated with better outcomes.
However, for benefits to be equitably experienced, we must reduce structural marginalization faced by those using these services. Namely, increase access to low-barrier housing for people with an opioid use disorder, and ensure methadone clinic hours are expanded and transportation is provided for those who need it to increase access and flexibility.
Miriam Harris, MD, MSc
Dr. Harris is an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, and an addiction expert at Boston Medical Center.
Reference
Levander XA, Hoffman KA, McIlveen JW, McCarty D, Terashima JP, Korthuis PT. Rural opioid treatment program patient perspectives on take-home methadone policy changes during COVID-19: a qualitative thematic analysis. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2021;16(1):72. Published 2021 Dec 11. doi:10.1186/s13722-021-00281-3
The Previous Study
Harris MTH, Lambert AM, Maschke AD, Bagley SM, Walley AY, Gunn CM. “No home to take methadone to”: Experiences with addiction services during the COVID-19 pandemic among survivors of opioid overdose in Boston [published online ahead of print, 2021 Nov 4]. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2021;108655. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108655
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on Addiction Treatment Forum.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a network of addiction treatment providers. We outpatient and inpatient addiction treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client's needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
The post Two Studies Look at Effects of Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions on OTPs—and Come Up With Different Answers appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644245726 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => When Things Feel Stressful [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/when-things-feel-stressful/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-things-feel-stressful [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/when-things-feel-stressful/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:06:47 +0000 [category] => For the Family & Loved Onessober holidays [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8820 [description] =>When Things Feel Stressful Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:42:09 +0000 This article originally appeared on: cathytaughinbaugh.com/when-things-feel-stressful/ Is life feeling stressful
The post When Things Feel Stressful appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>When Things Feel Stressful
Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:42:09 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
cathytaughinbaugh.com/when-things-feel-stressful/
Is life feeling stressful for you with the holidays approaching?
Would some ideas on how to better cope with the upcoming holidays be helpful?
A parent wrote:
We have a 20- year-old son who has been in and out of rehabs for the past two years. He dropped out of college and has used many different drugs. Now, he has progressed to heroin. He also has legal trouble due to drugs that we are working through now. Of course, I realize I have no control over my son. Yet, I am trying to learn how best to communicate and to understand my son more so I can be effective instead of part of the problem. We have the holidays coming up and I don’t know how I’m going to cope.
Often when our lives feel chaotic because we are caught up in our child’s addiction, it can be hard to want to celebrate anything, much less feel any gratitude.
Being concerned about our child can cause us to feel overwhelmed and unhappy with life.
We might feel that we are just trying to keep our heads above water to cope. We might feel helpless and believe there is not much we can do about it.
If the upcoming holiday time is feeling stressful, you are not alone. Many of us have felt the same anxiety-like our lives are out of control, yet we need to put on a happy face. It’s not an easy place to be and adds to the stress we are already feeling.
Thinking about what your family needs instead of trying to meet the expectation of others can be helpful.
You can do things to feel more in control and feel more at peace amid all the chaos.
If your life is feeling stressful, here are some ideas that might help. I invite you to test them out and see which ones work for you.
1. Do a brain dump. Make a long list of all the concerns that you have. Think about other areas of your life as well and write everything down. Your list can either be long-hand or in digital form. Then group your list into sections. Maybe put the most critical first. You can then look through your list and decide what you can control and what you can’t. Are there any action steps you can take? If so, see what you can tackle first. Even if you feel there is nothing you can do right now, it will help you emotionally to write down your concerns.
2. Get some support. If you are struggling to cope with your child’s addiction, reach out to a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes having someone just willing to listen without trying to fix the problem can help. Staying isolated or trying to handle the issue on your own can lead to more stress and anxious feelings. Some ways to get support are to learn more about how you can help your child, attend a group meeting or hire a coach to help you.
3. Practice self-care. When we feel stressed and anxious, it’s an emotional issue. Taking care of yourself is the first step to staying resilient and being a better source of help to your child. It allows you to have something left to give. There are many ways to practice self-care. Sometimes, the best you might be able to do is think about how you want to take care of yourself. One size doesn’t fit all, so find something that works for you.
4. Breathe. There are many ways to get yourself back in balance which is part of self-care. Andrew Weil has a great breathing technique called 4-7-8. Also, I have found two apps that help me relax and even go to sleep at night. One is the Calm App, and the other is Headspace. Last year I signed up for Calm, and this year I’m trying Headspace. I like them both and have found them helpful with sleeping and taking time to rebalance and breathe.
As the holidays approach, you may want to try one idea and see how it works for you.
While the problem is most likely related to your child’s behavior, the one thing you do have control over is our reaction. Rather than trying to push the pain away, remind yourself to feel your emotions. You can feel the pain of the situation and still help your child.
When emotions do bubble up, especially during this busy time, be nonjudgmental and gentle with yourself. Notice what you are feeling. Be curious about your feelings.
When you keep the holidays simple, you will feel less anxiety and stress.
The holidays are more stressful for families when things aren’t going well. You can help yourself by practicing self-care, noticing your feelings, doing a brain dump, encouraging your other family members, and generally looking for the good all around you.
Learn research-based tools that can help you motivate your child to change. Add the Sunday newsletter to your weekly routine. Sign up now. And consider getting access to my online course, Regain Your Hope, an online course that gives you an action plan to help your child. Know that your child can change. Love, Cathy
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a drug and alcohol abuse treatment network. We provide outpatient & inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client’s needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post When Things Feel Stressful appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/when-things-feel-stressful/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>When Things Feel Stressful Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:42:09 +0000 This article originally appeared on: cathytaughinbaugh.com/when-things-feel-stressful/ Is life feeling stressful
The post When Things Feel Stressful appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>When Things Feel Stressful
Sat, 20 Nov 2021 21:42:09 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
cathytaughinbaugh.com/when-things-feel-stressful/
Is life feeling stressful for you with the holidays approaching?
Would some ideas on how to better cope with the upcoming holidays be helpful?
A parent wrote:
We have a 20- year-old son who has been in and out of rehabs for the past two years. He dropped out of college and has used many different drugs. Now, he has progressed to heroin. He also has legal trouble due to drugs that we are working through now. Of course, I realize I have no control over my son. Yet, I am trying to learn how best to communicate and to understand my son more so I can be effective instead of part of the problem. We have the holidays coming up and I don’t know how I’m going to cope.
Often when our lives feel chaotic because we are caught up in our child’s addiction, it can be hard to want to celebrate anything, much less feel any gratitude.
Being concerned about our child can cause us to feel overwhelmed and unhappy with life.
We might feel that we are just trying to keep our heads above water to cope. We might feel helpless and believe there is not much we can do about it.
If the upcoming holiday time is feeling stressful, you are not alone. Many of us have felt the same anxiety-like our lives are out of control, yet we need to put on a happy face. It’s not an easy place to be and adds to the stress we are already feeling.
Thinking about what your family needs instead of trying to meet the expectation of others can be helpful.
You can do things to feel more in control and feel more at peace amid all the chaos.
If your life is feeling stressful, here are some ideas that might help. I invite you to test them out and see which ones work for you.
1. Do a brain dump. Make a long list of all the concerns that you have. Think about other areas of your life as well and write everything down. Your list can either be long-hand or in digital form. Then group your list into sections. Maybe put the most critical first. You can then look through your list and decide what you can control and what you can’t. Are there any action steps you can take? If so, see what you can tackle first. Even if you feel there is nothing you can do right now, it will help you emotionally to write down your concerns.
2. Get some support. If you are struggling to cope with your child’s addiction, reach out to a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes having someone just willing to listen without trying to fix the problem can help. Staying isolated or trying to handle the issue on your own can lead to more stress and anxious feelings. Some ways to get support are to learn more about how you can help your child, attend a group meeting or hire a coach to help you.
3. Practice self-care. When we feel stressed and anxious, it’s an emotional issue. Taking care of yourself is the first step to staying resilient and being a better source of help to your child. It allows you to have something left to give. There are many ways to practice self-care. Sometimes, the best you might be able to do is think about how you want to take care of yourself. One size doesn’t fit all, so find something that works for you.
4. Breathe. There are many ways to get yourself back in balance which is part of self-care. Andrew Weil has a great breathing technique called 4-7-8. Also, I have found two apps that help me relax and even go to sleep at night. One is the Calm App, and the other is Headspace. Last year I signed up for Calm, and this year I’m trying Headspace. I like them both and have found them helpful with sleeping and taking time to rebalance and breathe.
As the holidays approach, you may want to try one idea and see how it works for you.
While the problem is most likely related to your child’s behavior, the one thing you do have control over is our reaction. Rather than trying to push the pain away, remind yourself to feel your emotions. You can feel the pain of the situation and still help your child.
When emotions do bubble up, especially during this busy time, be nonjudgmental and gentle with yourself. Notice what you are feeling. Be curious about your feelings.
When you keep the holidays simple, you will feel less anxiety and stress.
The holidays are more stressful for families when things aren’t going well. You can help yourself by practicing self-care, noticing your feelings, doing a brain dump, encouraging your other family members, and generally looking for the good all around you.
Learn research-based tools that can help you motivate your child to change. Add the Sunday newsletter to your weekly routine. Sign up now. And consider getting access to my online course, Regain Your Hope, an online course that gives you an action plan to help your child. Know that your child can change. Love, Cathy
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a drug and alcohol abuse treatment network. We provide outpatient & inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are tailored to meet each client’s needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post When Things Feel Stressful appeared first on All In Solutions.
[date_timestamp] => 1644192407 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => [Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now [link] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now [comments] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/#respond [dc] => Array ( [creator] => All In Solutions Behavioral Health ) [pubdate] => Sun, 06 Feb 2022 17:50:30 +0000 [category] => Uncategorized [guid] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/?p=8818 [description] =>[Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:40:40 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.smartrecovery.org/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
The post [Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now appeared first on All In Solutions.
[content] => Array ( [encoded] =>[Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now
Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:40:40 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.smartrecovery.org/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
Dr. Joe Gerstein is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and First President of SMART Recovery. He is also a retired Harvard University professor and lectures at addiction symposiums. Joe introduced SMART to the world and has facilitated over 3,000 meetings. His passion and motivation for helping others is still going strong after
50+ years. Joe shares some of his thoughts and perspectives for being and staying motivated in your recovery.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a substance abuse treatment network. We offer outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are uniquely designed to meet each client’s needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post [Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now appeared first on All In Solutions.
) [wfw] => Array ( [commentrss] => https://www.allinsolutions.com/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/feed/ ) [slash] => Array ( [comments] => 0 ) [summary] =>[Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:40:40 +0000 This article originally appeared on: www.smartrecovery.org/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
The post [Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now appeared first on All In Solutions.
[atom_content] =>[Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now
Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:40:40 +0000
This article originally appeared on:
www.smartrecovery.org/podcast-you-dont-need-the-lollipop-right-now/
Dr. Joe Gerstein is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and First President of SMART Recovery. He is also a retired Harvard University professor and lectures at addiction symposiums. Joe introduced SMART to the world and has facilitated over 3,000 meetings. His passion and motivation for helping others is still going strong after
50+ years. Joe shares some of his thoughts and perspectives for being and staying motivated in your recovery.
All In Solutions Counseling Center is a substance abuse treatment network. We offer outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment programs that are uniquely designed to meet each client’s needs. Our specialized programs include:
Our locations include:
The post [Podcast] You Don’t Need the Lollipop Right Now appeared first on All In Solutions.
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