A lot of feelings may arise as August 31st draws near. At this point many of us may have lost a loved one to overdose, or we know someone who has. As the drug crisis continues in our community, many of us see the effects of drug use in our neighbourhoods every day.

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, when people around the world gather to remember those who have been lost and collaborate to end death due to overdose. No community is immune and overdose and related deaths are felt in our community, where we experience these issues at rates significantly higher than the provincial average.

The good news is that overdose is preventable. Some ways that we can keep ourselves, our loved ones, and community members safe include:

• Getting educated on the signs of an overdose

• Treating any suspected overdose as a medical emergency and contacting 911

• Carrying and learning how to use naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose

• Not using more than one substance at a time

• Using drug checking kits when available

• Not using alone

Another way to keep ourselves, loved ones and community members safe is to keep ourselves educated with understanding addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects both brain function and structure. The release of Dopamine interacts with Glutamate in the brain and hijacks its process of reward-related learning. This key system is responsible for sustaining life, as it links activities needed for human survival with reward and pleasure. Translation? Addiction can build pathways in the brain that link the addictive behaviour to a need for survival.

Ways in which you can support a loved one struggling with addiction:

• Obtain your own support. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are just two of several support groups available. This is especially important in terms of freeing yourself of blame and not taking it personally.

• There are several treatment options that can effectively treat addiction. Encourage your loved one to speak with their family doctor to access support. Do not criticize or threaten. You cannot force them to quit, but you can be a source of strength and positive encouragement.

• Expect setbacks. The road to recovery is not straight and flat. There will be difficulties and detours.

• Educate yourself on addiction and if applicable what to expect with treatment.

For people who use substances who are thinking about cutting down or quitting, there is support available.  In Brantford and Brant County, SOAR Community Services offers free counselling and withdrawal management support. For outpatient counselling call 519 754 0253 and for withdrawal management call 610 753 6222. SOAR staff also provide support onsite at the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM); you can walk-in at 320 Colborne Street East anytime during RAAM hours (Tuesday 9 am – 6 pm, Wednesday 9 am – 1 pm, and Friday 9 am – 3 pm). SOAR also provides safe use supplies, including naloxone, at both their 133 Elgin and 225 Fairview Drive, Unit 1, locations Monday to Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.

Brant Mental Health Solutions has a great team of psychotherapists and social workers. Our therapists provide a safe, caring and confidential environment where you can explore feelings, thoughts, behaviours and beliefs. Through personal interaction and goal setting, our therapists will help you achieve your goals for change, and personal health and wellness.

For more information on Overdose Awareness Day, and important information on recognizing and preventing overdose, please visit: https://www.overdoseday.com/

This blog post was in collaboration with Kim Baker and the Team at SOAR Brantford.