City of Virginia Beach Behavioral Prevention Services Opioids
On this episode of We are Living Healthy, Alexis is joined by Dennis Southers, M.S.E.D CSAC,CPS Educator and Patricia Crumrine: M.S.E.D Educator from the city of Virginia Beach, to talk about substance abuse and how Covid 19 affected consumption.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others.
As Dennis explains in this interview, opioids can be introduced to a patient for many reasons: after an accident, after surgery, chronic pain, etc. But oftentimes patients begin overusing opioids on a regular basis and sometimes don’t even realize it—and that is where the addiction begins.
Physical signs that someone may be abusing an opiate:
Noticeable elation/euphoria, marked sedation/drowsiness, confusion, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, intermittent nodding off, or loss of consciousness.
More on Prevention Services
Denis and Patricia’s conduct prevention and safety talks in an effort to avoid substance abuse.
What is safetalk? safeTALK is a three-to four-hour training that prepares participants to recognize signs and connect a person with thoughts of suicide to intervention resources.
Connect with Prevention Staff:
Dennis Southers | (757) 385-0819 | DSouther@vbgov.com
Patricia B. Crumrine | PCrumrine@vbgov.com
Human Services – Wellness and Prevention Services | (757) 385-0803
Or watch the video below
