Center for Network Therapy Urges Making an Impact on International Overdose Awareness Day
Leading New Jersey-Based Addiction Treatment Center Finds Increased Outpatient Treatment Helped Deliver First Decline in Overdose Deaths
WEST ORANGE, N.J., Aug. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in 20 years, overdose deaths from prescription and non-prescription drugs decreased slightly in 2018, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Center for Network Therapy (CNT) urges communities to ride this ray of hope and make International Overdose Awareness Day impactful.
"While a 5% decline is modest, it is heartening that we have turned the tide in the fight against addiction," said Dr. Indra Cidambi, founder, and Medical Director of CNT. "While increased availability of Narcan and opioid prescription changes helped, increased access to outpatient addiction treatment appears to have had an impact. I have been treating addiction for 15 years and have found that providing detoxification on an outpatient basis has delivered better outcomes relative to inpatient detoxification."
The United States makes up just six percent of the world's population but more than 50 percent of the world's overdose deaths. Center for Network Therapy's founder, Medical Director and leading addiction specialist. Dr. Indra Cidambi, shares 5 ways individuals can make International Overdose Awareness Day impactful:
- Choose De-Stigmatizing Words: The stigma associated with addiction is a barrier to seeking treatment. It carries many negative consequences and the fear of being damagingly labeled. Something as small as changing the way we use words when speaking about addiction helps reduce the stigma that plagues addiction. Replace words like "addict" or "alcoholic" with terms such as "person suffering from a substance use disorder."
- Choose De-Stigmatizing Actions: Unlike for other chronic diseases, treatment for addiction is, by default, provided on an inpatient basis during the acute phases. This adds to the stigma as it facilitates the view that addiction is a behavioral problem that needs to be punished, and not a disease. Choose outpatient treatment, as it not only reduces the stigma associated with the disease of addiction, it also delivers better outcomes.
- Show Your Support - Wear Silver: Silver is the official color of International Overdose Awareness Day. Wear silver clothing or accessories to show support for those who lost a loved one due to an overdose or those who are currently suffering from substance abuse. Acting in solidarity is a great way to participate.
- Participate/Host a Prevention Event: Get involved with a local organization or partner with one that offers educational programs, such as one related to preventing opioid use or underage drinking. Another way to help spread awareness through education is to host a community event.
- Train to Save a Life: Access to Narcan (Naloxone) is expanding. Most states have passed laws to widen the availability to Narcan. Narcan now does not need a prescription. If a loved one is addicted, you may want to have a dose of Narcan handy. Training to administer it is widely available. You never know, you may save a life!
For more information on substance abuse dependency, addiction, and treatment, please visit www.RecorveryCNT.com.
About Center for Network Therapy (CNT)
CNT is New Jersey's first facility to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification and Withdrawal Management for alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, and opiates. Led by Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Indra Cidambi, M.D., experienced physicians and nurses provide high-quality treatment. Dr. Cidambi and team have successfully detoxed over 1500 patients in 6+ years.
SOURCE Center for Network Therapy
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