Overcoming the Stigma of Psychiatric Medication

Introduction

The stigma surrounding psychiatric medication is a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed, yet its consequences are profound.

In a society where mental health struggles are still stigmatized, individuals prescribed psychiatric medication often find themselves facing judgment, discrimination, and societal pressure to “suffer in silence.” The stigma surrounding psychiatric medication arises from misconceptions about mental illness and treatment.

Lack of awareness perpetuates these stigmas, fostering shame and secrecy. Consequently, individuals may delay or avoid seeking treatment, fearing being labeled as “mentally ill” or “dependent on medication.”

"Illustration representing the stigma surrounding psychiatric medication and its detrimental effects on individuals.

“Addressing the pervasive stigma surrounding psychiatric medication.”

The Burden of Stigma

Stigma surrounding psychiatric medication stems from deeply ingrained misconceptions and stereotypes about mental illness and treatment. Society’s lack of awareness and education on mental health issues perpetuates these stigmas, leading to a culture of shame and secrecy surrounding psychiatric medication usage. As a result, individuals who could benefit from treatment often delay or avoid seeking help altogether, fearing the repercussions of being labeled as “mentally ill” or “dependent on medication.”

Consequences of Silence

The reluctance to discuss mental health struggles and medication usage leads to significant consequences for individuals and society as a whole. Without proper .Addressing the pervasive stigma surrounding psychiatric medication.”, individuals may experience worsening symptoms, decreased quality of life, and even life-threatening situations. The silence surrounding psychiatric medication also reinforces the misconception that mental illness is a personal weakness rather than a legitimate medical condition, further perpetuating stigma and hindering progress towards destigmatization.

"Illustration representing the consequences of stigma surrounding psychiatric medication and its effects on individuals and society."

“Consequences of silence: The impact of stigma on mental health and treatment.”

Barriers to Treatment

Stigma creates barriers to accessing mental health care and treatment, particularly for marginalized communities. Discrimination based on mental health status can result in individuals being denied employment, housing, or healthcare services. Moreover, the fear of judgment from friends, family, or healthcare providers may prevent individuals from seeking help when they need it most, exacerbating their suffering and perpetuating cycles of untreated mental illness.

Changing the Narrative

It’s crucial to challenge the narrative surrounding psychiatric medication and mental health treatment. Instead of viewing medication as a crutch or a sign of weakness, we must recognize it as a legitimate and effective tool for managing mental illness. Education plays a vital role in dispelling myths and misconceptions about psychiatric medication, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their mental health care without fear of judgment or shame.

"Illustration representing barriers to mental health treatment and the importance of changing the narrative surrounding psychiatric medication."

“Breaking down barriers: Addressing stigma in mental health treatment.”

Empowering Individuals to Speak Up

Creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles and treatment experiences is essential. By empowering individuals to speak up and share their stories, we can break down barriers and foster a culture of acceptance and understanding. Peer support groups, advocacy organizations, and mental health campaigns all play a crucial role in amplifying voices and challenging stigma.

Promoting Compassionate Care

Healthcare providers also have a responsibility to combat stigma and provide compassionate care to individuals seeking mental health treatment. This involves actively listening to patients, validating their experiences, and offering nonjudgmental support and guidance. Treating mental illness with compassion and respect reduces stigma.It encourages more individuals to seek help.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in this effort.

Illustration representing empowerment and compassionate care in mental health, breaking down barriers and challenging stigma."

“Empowering individuals to speak up and promoting compassionate care in mental health.”

Conclusion

The stigma surrounding psychiatric medication serves as a barrier to mental health treatment.
It perpetuates suffering and silence among those in need.
It’s time to challenge outdated beliefs and stereotypes about mental illness and medication usage.
We must foster a culture of acceptance, understanding, and support.
By amplifying voices, promoting education, and advocating for compassionate care.
We can break down barriers and create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

The Pandemic Has Worsened the Opioid Epidemic

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic have combined to create global challenges for communities. As healthcare systems strain under the weight of COVID-19, resources to address the opioid crisis have faced unprecedented challenges. However, amidst these difficulties, innovative solutions and adaptations have emerged, showcasing resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Understanding the Impact

The intertwining of the pandemic and the opioid epidemic has led to a compounding of issues. This exacerbates the challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

Unprecedented Strain on Healthcare Systems

With hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases, resources for addiction treatment and harm reduction have been diverted. This leaves many individuals without vital support.

Increased Social Isolation

Lockdown measures and social distancing protocols have exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation. This contributes to substance misuse and relapse among vulnerable populations.

Adapting Treatment Approaches

In response to these challenges, organizations and healthcare providers have adapted their approaches. They aim to better meet the needs of individuals battling addiction.

Telemedicine and Virtual Support

The widespread adoption of telemedicine has enabled individuals to access addiction treatment and support services from the safety and comfort of their homes. This overcomes barriers to care imposed by the pandemic.

Peer Support Networks

Peer support groups and online communities have played a crucial role in providing connection and encouragement to individuals in recovery, offering a lifeline during these challenging times.

Community-Based Interventions

Communities have rallied together to implement innovative strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of substance misuse and supporting those affected.

Harm Reduction Initiatives

From distributing naloxone kits to implementing supervised consumption sites, harm reduction initiatives have saved countless lives by providing critical interventions during overdoses.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Efforts to tackle homelessness, unemployment, and poverty have gained traction, recognizing the interconnectedness of social factors and substance use disorders.

Leveraging Technology and Data

The integration of technology and data analytics has enabled more targeted and effective responses to the opioid epidemic, empowering stakeholders with actionable insights.

Predictive Analytics

By analyzing patterns and trends in opioid use and overdoses, predictive analytics help identify high-risk areas and populations, enabling proactive interventions and resource allocation.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)

PDMPs play a vital role in tracking and managing prescription opioid use, helping healthcare providers identify potential misuse and intervene early to prevent addiction.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Addressing the multifaceted nature of the opioid epidemic requires collaboration and partnership. This collaboration involves government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals affected by addiction.

Multi-Sectoral Task Forces

Task forces comprising representatives from various sectors work together. They aim to develop and implement comprehensive strategies. These strategies address prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Public-Private Partnerships

Collaborations between government entities, pharmaceutical companies, and non-profit organizations facilitate the development of innovative solutions and increase access to resources.

FAQs

  • How has the pandemic worsened the opioid epidemic? The pandemic has disrupted access to addiction treatment and support services, increased social isolation, and exacerbated underlying mental health issues.
  • What are some innovative strategies for addressing the opioid epidemic during the pandemic? Telemedicine, peer support networks, harm reduction initiatives, and community-based interventions are among the innovative approaches being utilized.
  • How can predictive analytics help combat the opioid epidemic? Predictive analytics enable proactive interventions by identifying high-risk areas and populations, allowing resources to be allocated effectively.
  • What role do prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) play in addressing opioid misuse? PDMPs help healthcare providers track prescription opioid use, identify potential misuse, and intervene early to prevent addiction.
  • How important is collaboration in tackling the opioid epidemic? Collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals affected by addiction is crucial for developing comprehensive solutions.
  • What can individuals do to support those affected by opioid addiction? Individuals can educate themselves about addiction, reduce stigma, advocate for policy change, and support harm reduction efforts in their communities.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges posed by the convergence of the pandemic and the opioid epidemic, communities have shown resilience and innovation. They leverage technology, foster collaboration, and implement evidence-based strategies. Resources adapt to save lives and mitigate the impact of this dual crisis.

Kevin Gilliland, PsyD, from Innovation360, highlights the psychological toll of isolation in substance misuse. Isolation exacerbates mood and anxiety, contributing to increased opioid use and related deaths during the pandemic.

Dr. Gilliland says that for those in recovery, human interaction is vital for maintaining sobriety.”During the pandemic, so many people have become disconnected to things in their life that were just good medicine,” he says. “Such as seeing familiar faces in their neighborhoods at the store, going to the gym, and attending religious services.”

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Why Talking About Drug and Alcohol Addiction is Crucial During the Pandemic

Drug and alcohol-related overdoses have been on the rise since the onset of the pandemic. Addiction specialist Dr. Kevin Gilliland joins LX News to explain why talking about addiction is so important to help understand the root of the problem.

Watch the video here.

Many Americans Aren’t Quite Sure What an Opioid Is—Here’s What You Should Know

Despite being in the midst of an opioid epidemic that continues to get worse, many Americans, it turns out, aren’t quite sure what the most common opioids actually are, as highlighted in a new survey of 1,000 people.

Conducted by health technology company DrFirst, which includes a network of over 300,000 health-care providers, the survey found that only one in five participants could name five of the seven most commonly prescribed opioids. (For the record, they are: Tramadol, Hydromorphone, Morphine sulfate, Methadone, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl, and Oxycodone.)

The reason why being able to identify opioids is a big deal is because if you don’t know you’re being prescribed one, you won’t be aware of the side effects or risk factors. “[The health repercussions of not knowing if you’re being prescribed an opioid or not] are quite serious as opioids are associated with opioid-induced respiratory depression which can lead to overdose and death,”  says family medicine physician and pain management expert Robert Agnello, DO. “Overdose is not difficult. A patient could also take these with alcohol unaware and heighten the risk.”

“It’s important for people to understand the effects that opiates have on the body as well as the impact they can have on judgment and insight,” says Kevin Gilliland, Psy.D, a licensed clinical psychologist and the executive director of Innovation360, an outpatient counseling service that works with people struggling with substance abuse. Here, Dr. Gilliland and Dr. Agnello detail what it’s important to know about opioid medications.

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How to quit vaping for good: 8 tips from addiction experts

While this can definitely be an effective tactic, it’s often easier said than done, said Dr. Kevin Gilliland, PsyD, executive director of the Innovation360 addiction clinic. Exactly how well this tactic works for you depends on how badly you want to quit.

If you are determined to quit, do your best to engage with friends, coworkers and family members that don’t smoke. For instance, instead of taking lunch with a friend who vapes or smokes, take lunch with a friend who usually walks outside after eating.

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How to Quit Vaping: Strategies from Experts and People Trying to Quit

If you’re a vape user, you know how good it feels to get your vape fix.

But if you want to quit e-cigarettes, especially after a wave of vaping-related lung injuries, it’s often a difficult road.[1] Whether you’re an adult who wants to stop vaping or a student trying to quit JUUL amidst peer pressure, it’s important to research how you can quit for good.

But how does one quit vaping? At the moment, there is a major research gap for effective vaping cessation methods. In a WebMD interview with Linda Richter, director of policy research and analysis at the Center on Addiction, she states…

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Demi Lovato Hospitalized: How Narcan Saved the Singer’s Life

“Narcan is a very simple and very safe drug,” she said. “It is very similar to an EpiPen, it presses pause on the opioid overdose and allows the person to keep breathing.”

Narcan can also be administered through a nasal spray.

The drug can be purchased in just about any pharmacy across the country. Most states permit the drug to be sold over the counter, so no prescription is necessary and you don’t need to be a medical professional to use it.

But Dr. Kevin Gilliland, an addiction specialist, said, “You can only use Narcan in an emergency.”

“If you’re a loved one or a friend of someone who’s struggling with opiates, pain meds, or heroin or if they’ve been clean for a while, you should have it just in case something happens,” he said.

Lovato’s friends reportedly “had Narcan on hand in case something like this happened,” according to a source, adding, “It saved her life.”

 

Read more

How to Stop a Heroin Overdose

So what happens when a community member, friend, peer, or sibling overdoses on a lethal opioid, specifically heroin? Because unfortunately, the opioid crisis can hit home unexpectedly. Teen Vogue chatted with psychologist Dr. Kevin Gilliland and overdose response strategist Eliza Wheeler to better understand how to prevent heroin overdoses.

Read more

women-suffer-from-alcoholism

Breaking News: Women Also Suffer From Alcoholism

I have a love-hate relationship with the 24-hour news cycle. I mean, we get the best and worst of humanity delivered “live and as it’s happening” all day, every day. Don’t get me wrong – I realize I’m part of the problem. As a consumer of knowledge, I have a genuine desire to know what’s going on in the world. I guess I just don’t want every dirty detail. Don’t tell me how the clock works, just tell me what time it is.

But I think a casualty of our “breaking news” obsession are the journalists who deliver it to us. There’s  a lot of pressure on those folks. I think it’s particularly tough for broadcast journalists. For some reason, possibly out of oddly placed respect, we place them on a pedestal. Not only is their hair supposed to stay in place while reporting on the beach during a hurricane, we expect them to maintain a certain level of ethical and moral standards off camera. So when they’re on camera, they’re more trustworthy.

And when their private lives don’t jive with our expectations – they suffer the wrath of public scrutiny. Such is the case with national TV journalist Elizabeth Vargas. On camera she’s perfect.  Poised. Eloquent. Respected. Off camera she’s a recovering alcoholic.

In a recent interview with Diane Sawyer, Ms. Vargas talked candidly about her long struggle with alcoholism and anxiety. You can catch that interview here.

But I love her honesty when she said, “When you’re in the cycle of this disease though, it doesn’t matter how much you have or how little you have, I—it didn’t matter,” she continued. “It leveled me. It knocked me flat on my butt. I lost sight of everything.”

According to the article, “nearly 63 percent of women in trouble with alcohol say they are also fighting anxiety.” I think we can look at Ms. Vargas at this point in her recovery and understand that alcoholism usually has trigger – in her case it was anxiety. It’s rarely, if ever, an independent disease. And alcoholism is no respecter of fame, fortune or social status. Just ask Ms. Vargas. The key is to identify the trigger.

If you are struggling with alcoholism, especially if you are a woman, we understand that you face very different struggles, pressures and expectations. We can help you. Watch our video, “Women & Addiction” to learn more, then give us a call at (214) 733-9565 to start the discussion.

give me liberty or give me death

Give me liberty, or give me death.

I don’t know if there’s a more fervent statement in our nation’s history than Patrick Henry’s impassioned declaration at the 1775 Virginia Convention, when he asserted: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying our country’s liberty was that easy to win. Henry didn’t just say it and “POOF!” we’re free! Oh no. King George III wasn’t about to hand over his “new world” to the colonists. It took strength, bravery, resolve and courage for the early colonists to fight for liberty. It took making a stand and then acting on it.

Our country’s liberty and the courage of those early Americans has so many parallels to our addictions. That’s because there’s a common thread with freedom – sometimes, you just have to fight for it.

Freedom from addiction is worth the cost, the risk, the challenge to achieve a life liberated from harmful behavior. The road to liberty is not easy – but once you make the first move, we promise, you won’t regret it. Here are some steps that you can take to get started:

DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE – In 1776 the Continental Congress declared that the original 13 colonials were done with the British Empire. British rule (like an addiction) was just too much of a burden. So just like Patrick Henry, you have to say it out loud. You have to say it with resolution. Whether its drugs and alcohol, pornography or shop lifting, admitting that “enough is enough” is the first step in declaring your independence from addiction.

ASK FOR HELP – The colonists didn’t fight for their freedom alone. Independence was a battle that was too big for their scant resources and experience. They brought in allies, like the French, to help them be strategic in their approach. Our team is your ally. We can help you defeat your addiction, and through our Life Development program, help you achieve enduring freedom from destructive habits.

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT – The colonists wanted their independence more than the British wanted their afternoon tea. They didn’t win every battle. But because they kept fighting, they won the war. Fighting addiction can be a long, engaging war. It can feel overwhelming on a day-to-day basis. Don’t give up. FIGHT for it!

CELEBRATE YOUR WINS – Fireworks. Picnics. Hot Dogs. Hamburgers. Family. Close friends. July 4th is a day of celebration. Every win over an addiction deserves a celebration. Maybe you resisted the urge to drink at the party. Maybe you decided to turn off the computer rather than look at porn. Celebrate those wins. Tell someone who knows you’re struggling that you won today. Share your successes and revel in them – those celebrations will become the motivation that pushes you through the next time your addiction resurfaces.

Today is the day to declare your independence from addiction. And we can help you stand resolute in that declaration. Please call us if you’re struggling with addiction. We’ve seen and heard it all. You won’t embarrass us. You won’t offend us. You won’t surprise us. We can help. Please call us today.