Substance Facts
Harm Reduction
Healthy Coping
Substances
Crisis
100

What drug causes the most deaths every year and causes long term negative health outcomes?

Alcohol

100

Define harm reduction.

Actions taken by a person choosing to engage in substance use that reduce the overall harm of use. 

100

What is a coping skill? 

Conscious strategies to manage or reduce uncomfortable emotions. Often, coping skills also help by increasing access to positive emotions. 

100

What are the effects of marijuana use? Ie what can a person expect to experience if they utilized marijuana

altered senses, altered sense of time, changes in mood, changes in problem solving/thinking, impaired memory, hallucinations (high doses), relaxation, paranoia, lower inhibitions

100

Where can we go in Boulder if we are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis?

Walk in Clinic--3180 Airport Rd

Withdrawal Management--3180 Airport Rd

200

What is the difference between a physical and a psychological withdrawal from a drug?

Physical withdrawal--increased danger, can cause death

Psychological withdrawal--uncomfortable at the mental and emotional level but unlikely to result in death

200

On a spectrum of harm, which drug is more dangerous and why? 

A. Marijuana

B. Fentanyl

C. LSD

D. Peyote

Fentanyl. 

200

What helps a coping skill be more effective across time?

Practice! 
200

What are the effects of alcohol use?

lowered inhibitions, mood changes, reduced motor functioning, reduced immune system functioning, altered and risky behavior, falls/accidents. 
200

What can we use to prevent a crisis?

Coping skills

300

What substances cause physical withdrawal? 

Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines

300

Examples of harm reduction.

Needle exchange, using condoms, fentanyl test strips, don't use alone line, safe injection sites, drinking and driving laws, MAT (methadone, vivitrol) 

300

Why do people sometimes turn to drugs and alcohol when they are struggling emotionally? 

Drugs and alcohol create a physiological change which can improve emotions (temporarily).

Can "numb" feelings we don't want to feel but in doing so, numbs all feelings 

Can be a way to cope with unprocessed trauma

300

What are the effects of psychedelic use? 

lowered inhibitions, altered senses, increased empathic response, anxiety, spiritual connection, psychosis (sometimes), hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). 

300

How does ongoing therapy and other supports help us to reduce the likelihood of crisis?

Increased emotional regulation

Increased support

Help with problem solving and planning 

400

What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning? 

Vomiting, confusion, low body temperature, blue or pale skin, unresponsiveness

400

What diseases does needle exchange attempt to prevent the spread of? 

HIV, Hepatitis

400

Define Recovery.

A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

400

What are the effects of benzodiazepine and barbiturate use? 

lowered anxiety, sleepiness, euphoria (sometimes), respiratory depression (when mixed with other substances), rebound anxiety, reduced likelihood of seizures

400

Define crisis. 

A person becomes overwhelmed with their current circumstances and goes into fight/flight/freeze mode. While in fight/flight/freeze, a person no longer has access to the prefrontal cortex which allows us to engage in problem solving. We are in emotion mind when we are in crisis.

500

Definition of addiction

Cravings 

Loss of control over frequency of use

Attempts to cut back fail

Continued use despite negative consequences 

Spending a significant amount of time trying to procure the substance 

500
Why is education an important part of harm reduction? 

The more you know, the more able you are to make informed decisions, and to understand when we might need to ask for help. 

500
Name five coping skills.
Journaling, mindfulness, walking/movement, TIPP skill, etc
500

What are the effects of opioid use? 

pinpoint pupils, euphoria, itching, relaxation, feeling of well being, respiratory depression (risk), overdose (risk)

500

Why does chronic substance use increase a person's risk of being in crisis?

Withdrawal, the chronic nature of needing to seek out the drug to be well, numbing of emotions, decreased emotional regulation