Involving Loved Ones in Addiction/Overdose Treatment (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode, I talk about involving loved ones in drug addiction and overdose treatment. I explain how loved ones actively contribute to the recovery process, and how people receiving treatment feel about involving loved ones in their treatment. I examine some of the barriers that prevent people from engaging in their loved one’s treatment.…

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Friends’ Experiences (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode, I talk about friends’ experiences. First, I talk about friends’ experiences of witnessing an overdose, including some important context. I also look at people’s decision-making about using Naloxone and calling emergency services. Then I discuss the various outcomes people describe after witnessing a friend’s overdose, including their complex grieving process, mental health…

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Intimate Partners’ Experiences (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode I talk about intimate partners’ experiences with SUD and/or overdose. I cover how partners and relationships influence drug misuse, the interpersonal dynamics of couples in which one or both people use drugs, and the relationship between substance misuse and relationship violence. I also discuss research on the drug-death-related bereavement experiences of intimate…

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Siblings’ Experiences (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode, I explore siblings’ experiences, that is, people’s experiences of being the sibling of someone with an SUD and/or overdose incident. First, I talk about people’s experiences navigating their sibling’s substance abuse issues and life after their overdose. Then I describe the impact of drug-overdose bereavement on siblings’ emotional, physical, and social well-being.…

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Children’s Experiences (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode, I talk about children’s experiences, that is, people’s experiences of being a child with an SUD/overdose incident and of being the child of a parent with an SUD/overdose incident. I first review some important statistics about drug misuse by both parents and children. I describe the challenges of being a child of…

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Parents’ Experiences (New Aced It Episode)

In this episode, I talk about parents’ experiences—that is, people’s experiences of parenting while having an SUD and overdose incident and of being the parent of a child with an SUD/overdose incident. I explore how child-related factors might impact treatment accessibility for parents and how substance misuse impacts people’s parenting. I also talk about the…

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Overview of SUD, Overdose, & Loved Ones (New Aced It Episode)

 In this episode, I introduce the topic of Season 11: SUD, overdose, and loved ones. “Loved ones” includes everyone intimately involved with someone with SUD or an overdose incident—including the family unit (parents, children, and siblings), intimate partners, and friends. I review the various topics/dynamics that we will cover this season, and I give…

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Policy Responses (New Aced It Episode)

In this insightful episode, we delve into the evolving policy landscape designed to combat the opioid epidemic and its profound impact on communities. We explore the historical shifts in opioid crisis management, highlighting key strategies like Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) and the expanded access to naloxone, particularly focusing on the innovative steps taken by…

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