Overdose Awareness Day is recognized annually on August 31 to remember loved ones lost to overdose and to create awareness of the rising epidemic. Over the past few years, the rate of opioid related deaths has sharply increased throughout the United States. Specifically, in New Jersey, drug overdose has become the leading cause of accidental death. Each year, Acenda works with community partners to increase awareness about addiction and overdose in an effort to help those in our communities that are struggling.
Knowing the Facts
According to the CDC, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Further, the rate of heroin and opioid related overdose in New Jersey is three times the national rate. A critical component to building community awareness and preventing an overdose is knowing the warning signs. It can be hard to tell if someone is under the influence or experiencing an overdose because the symptoms can greatly vary. The most common ones include small and constricted pupils, shallow breathing, falling asleep or losing consciousness, and pale, blue, or cold skin.
What to do if you think someone is overdosing
If you aren’t sure if someone is experiencing an overdose, it’s best to treat the situation like one because you could help save a life. Call 911 and try to keep the person awake and breathing until help can arrive.
For those that are struggling with addiction or know someone that is, do not wait to look for help. At Acenda, we offer a full range of services to address substance use disorders. Our goal is to intervene in the progression of addiction in an atmosphere of compassion, safety and understanding. These clinical services include drug and alcohol awareness classes, outpatient one day a week recovery groups, group counseling, and weekly relapse prevention groups. For those who need a higher level of care, a placement specialist will assess, place, and follow individuals who may need partial care, short term or long term residential, and/or withdrawal management services. For more information on our programs and enrollment, please call 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632.)
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/patients/Preventing-an-Opioid-Overdose-Tip-Card-a.pdf
https://www.drugabuse.gov/opioid-summaries-by-state/new-jersey-opioid-summary
https://www.njtvonline.org/addiction/