Nicholas Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. is a
psychiatrist who specializes in addiction and addiction treatment. For the fourth year in a row, the
United States will recognize the month of October as National Substance Abuse
Prevention Month in an effort to reduce the negative consequences of drug abuse
in our communities. From alcohol to prescriptions to illicit drugs, substance
abuse and addiction affects millions of people nationwide and the month of
October offers a chance for recovering addicts, their loved ones and all
members of the community to come together and show their support, explains
Nicholas Anthony Atanasoff, D.O.
Dr. Nicholas Atanasoff : Strategies for Prevention
Nicholas Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. is a dedicated psychiatrist and
the founder of Addiction Outreach Clinic who has years of experience and
specializes in addiction therapy. While the government may be responsible for change on a broad scale,
there are many things that individuals can do to help the cause. Nicholas
Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. recommends that some strategies for substance abuse
prevention include:
Educational Programs
Teens and young adults are in positions of high
risk when it comes to starting down a path of substance abuse, explains Dr.
Atanasoff. Middle schools, high schools, and colleges can educate students
about the negative consequences of drug abuse and underage drinking.
Additionally, targeted educational programs can help students make better
choices about refusing or reducing drug use, depending on their current level
of involvement.
Parental Involvement
Research suggests parental influence has the
biggest impact on teenage substance abuse. Parents can make a huge difference
in the life of their child by setting a good example of responsible substance
use (or abstinence) and keeping the lines of communication open. Teenagers who
feel comfortable talking to their parents are often less likely to abuse drugs
or alcohol.
Community Support
Neighborhoods, religious groups, sports teams,
and/or clubs can all support substance abuse prevention, encourages Nicholas
Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. Hosting alcohol-free events can show young people that
they do not need to be under the influence to have fun. Informational movie
nights, fundraisers, as well as other healthy and engaging activities can all
show support and increase awareness for the cause.
Dr. Nicholas Atanasoff : What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse
opioid overdose, explains Nicholas Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. Naloxone is an
opioid antagonist (i.e., a medication that binds to opioid receptors and can
reverse and block the effects of other opioids). In addition, Naloxone can very
quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or
stopped due to overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.
There are three FDA-approved formulations of naloxone, explains Nicholas
Anthony Atanasoff, D.O.:
Injectable
Generic brands of injectable naloxone vials are
offered by a variety of companies that are listed in the FDA's Orange Book
under "naloxone".
Auto-Injectable
Prefilled auto-injection devices make it easy
for families or emergency personnel to inject naloxone quickly into the outer
thigh. Once activated, the auto-injection device provides verbal instruction to
the user describing how to deliver the medication, which is similar to
automated defibrillators.
Pre-Packaged Nasal
Spray
Prefilled, needle-free devices that require no
assembly and are sprayed into one nostril while patients lay on their back are
also available.
The liquid for injection is what is commonly
used by paramedics, emergency room doctors, and other trained first responders.
To facilitate ease of use, a naloxone nasal spray is now available, that allows
for the drug naloxone to be sprayed as a mist into the nose. Depending on your
state, friends, family members, and others in the community may give the
auto-injector and nasal spray formulation of naloxone to someone who has
overdosed. Additionally, some states require a physician to prescribe naloxone.
However, in other states, pharmacies may distribute naloxone in an outpatient setting
without bringing in a prescription from a physician.
Dr. Nicholas Atanasoff : Don’t Punish Pain
Nicholas Anthony Atanasoff, D.O. lives and
works in Boardman, Ohio as an addiction specialist.
Pain is the alarm that tells us something is
wrong and is one of the main reasons why individuals seek medical care. However,
when that alarm does not turn off (e.g., in patients with cancer, arthritis, or
nervous system abnormalities) despair can often take over. Further, virtually
every authoritative health, medical, and human rights group throughout the
world once formally declared that relief from pain is a universal human right,
including access to opioid analgesics, if necessary.
Fortunately, the majority of people with
persistent, recurrent, or chronic pain do not require ongoing opioid therapy,
especially when they have access to other effective treatments. However, when
non-opioid pain management strategies do not work, opioids (in combination with
other medical, behavioral, and rehabilitative therapies) can be the only means
of providing a life that is functional and worth living. Each of the bedeviling
condition of intractable pain and drug addiction rob patients of this
"unalienable right," and deserve our best attentions, starting by
neither blaming nor confusing one for the other. It is important that we do not
let the war on drugs lead to untreated pain, cautions Nicholas Anthony
Atanasoff, D.O.
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