News

The NIH indicates the importance of COVID-19 testing if we want our community to get back to normal. Early COVID testing can help save many lives by detecting the virus and allowing patients to isolate themselves early on to avoid spreading the virus. COVID testing is also very quick. You can receive results from a rapid test in as little as 15 minutes.

According to a study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers, each week a woman consumes alcohol during the first five to 10 weeks of pregnancy is associated with an incremental 8% increase in risk of miscarriage. 
#pregnancyawareness #alcoholawareness #miscarriage 

Illinois officials plan to use a $36 million federal grant focused on opioid addiction to support treatment through hospitals, health centers and community programs. The money was awarded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  
#opioidaddiction ##treatment 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is requiring an update to the Boxed Warning, and requiring class-wide labeling changes for benzodiazepines to include the risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. This action is part of the FDA’s ongoing effort to promote public health by minimizing risks associated with inappropriate use of controlled substances.#FDA#benzodiazepine#substanceawareness

The federal government estimates one in 10 healthcare workers experience substance use disorder. There is rising concern that medical professionals are stealing powerful opioid pain medications meant for their patients. The DEA told NPR it investigated roughly 3,600 cases of alleged drug theft at healthcare facilities over the last five years, including 280 cases so far in 2020. Also, studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic found healthcare workers who steal drugs frequently tamper with medications, leaving them contaminated. #substanceabuse#healthcare

A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) are more susceptible to COVID-19 and its complications.

According to the National Safety Council, approximately one in 13 working adults has an alcohol use disorder. Among working adults, nearly 2% were addicted to marijuana. Workers in construction and extraction experience the highest rates of substance use disorders, with 15.6% of employees on average living with a substance use disorder. Drugs and alcohol create unique challenges in the work environment. In the post-COVID pandemic world with many employees working from home, it may be harder to ensure to that employees comply and do not engage in drug use or impairment while at work. To minimize liabilities, employers should develop robust drug and alcohol policies.

According to a Rutgers study, College students with physical and cognitive disabilities use illicit drugs more, and have a higher prevalence of drug use disorder, than their non-disabled peers. An estimated 41 percent of college students have used an illicit drug, most widely marijuana. The American College Health Association estimates that 54 percent of students have a disability.

Opioid overdose deaths are surging nationwide, while the global pandemic continues. The increase in opioid overdose deaths is likely linked to the restrictions and closures due to COVID-19 that have hindered access to treatment and recovery services for those suffering from substance use disorder. #opioidcrisis #pandemic