Damage Control
What is a benefit of Harm Reduction?
It helps decrease the risks associated with an activity without you having to abstain from it
It recognizes people experience benefits to certain activities but promotes them in a safer way
How can you keep friends at your party safe?
-Don't let them drink and drive - Call a cab for them or offer a number to call. - Be prepared for overnight guests (to prevent drinking and driving). - Know your guests.
Eating and drinking coffee helps sober you up?
MYTH! Only time will allow you to sober up, however eating things such as crackers can help soak up some of the excess alcohol.
What is it called when you have to use more substances to feel the effects of it due to using the substance for a while?
Higher tolerance
What is the legal limit that your BAL (blood alcohol level) can be to drive (if you're over 21)?
0.08
Share something you should do before you start drinking/smoking?
-Eat a meal
-Drink some water
-Set a limit
-Charge your phone if you have one
-Have a buddy to stick with
How do you put someone in a recovery position/what is the recovery position?
Place person on side, leaning on high arm, and propped up with knee and other arm.
Beer before liquor never been sicker. Liquor before beer, you're in the clear.
MYTH! The amount you drink matters more than the type of drinks you consume or how you mix them. Drinking too much of any alcohol too quickly can make you sick, whether it's wine, beer, or liquor. No matter what you're drinking, pacing is key.
Name 2 different harm reduction strategies to help lower risk/harm when you are going to use any substance
abstinence
develop drug knowledge
dose and dosage
start low and go slow
consider moderation
set and setting (mindset and place)
check the substance
don't mix substances
know how to respond to an emergency
know drug policy
In Massachusetts, what is the drug that's been found more mixed in with cocaine, heroine, and other illicit drugs that has been causing an epidemic/issue for the past several years?
Fentanyl, which is 100x more powerful/potent (stronger effects in smaller amounts) than heroine and has caused many unexpected hospital visits and overdose deaths.
What are some ways to keep safe while drinking or doing drugs?
-Have a safe place to be (friends house, public space)
-stay hydrated
-not mix substances (example: smoking weed, and drinking); if you're going to use only doing one at a time
-Let people know what your are taking, doing, or where you are
-know who you're getting it from
-Start at a low dose
-don't leave drink alone
-don't share needles
-Have a buddy with you
-Have narcan on hand
Name 3 signs of Alcohol Overdose
-Vomiting -Passing out -Lack of coordination -Cold Clammy skin -Slurred speech
Administering narcan can be dangerous to the individual receiving it.
False! You cannot harm someone by administering naloxone
Name 1 way to tell if you've had too much to smoke
Name 1 harm reduction strategy that you can use for marijuana
- don't drive, have a friend try to drive after you've smoked
- know the place where you're smoking
- use a filter
- don't mix with another substance (especially with a depressant as marijuana already calms your body down with its effects)
- using CBD vs THC
-drink lots of water
List some factors that will affect how many drinks it takes a person to get drunk?
-Amount of sleep
-Tolerance
-Food intake
-Gender
-Body weight
When is the recovery position important and what does it do?
If person has been drinking/used a lot, keeps them from choking on vomit and airways open
Alcohol warms up the body.
MYTH! It slows down the heart rate and dilates blood vessels, which can make you feel warmer but increases risk of hypothermia.
What is narcan/naloxone? What is it helpful for?
Medication that is used to help in cases of suspected (whether it was accidental or intentional) opioid overdoses. Can temporarily help reverse/relieve symptoms while more proper emergency treatment is given to the person
What is the danger of using substances again after having a long break and you previously had a high tolerance and you try to use the same amount as you did previously?
You could overdose as your body is no longer used to or no longer can tolerate that high amount of substance as its been out of your system for a while. You would have to almost restart/start lower to rebuild tolerance.
Name a place to go for information and help around substance and alcohol abuse.
-health clinic
-AA/NA groups
-Harm Reduction Program Locator (Massachusetts government website that lists places to get additional help from basic needs like shelter to treatment)
Where can you get your drugs tested locally to see what's in them?
Can look up local one using Harm Reduction Program Locator website
You can also get test strips so you can test it yourself.
Using harm reduction strategies while participating in drinking or drug use reduces the risk of experiencing harm associated.
FACT Harm reduction strategies such as not mixing drugs and alcohol, ensuring you have buddies to stick with, pacing your drinks, eating prior to and during, alternating water and alcohol are all proven to reduce the harms associated with alcohol or drug use/
Name a place you can get narcan/naloxone
-anywhere there is a pharmacy like CVS, Walgreens
-at the stores with the pharmacy can ask the cashier or the person at the pharmacy
What can you do if you suspect someone is having an overdose?
- shout their name and test for responsiveness and breathing
- if no response administer naloxone
- Contact 911
- Perform CPR and rescue breathing if comfortable