1. Presenters: Ashley Potts, MSW, LSW
Stigma Reduction July 19, 2018
Presenters: Ashley Potts, MSW, LSW

2. Opioid Use Disorder
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

3. Devastating Statistics
There are more Americans that died in 2016 due to an accidental drug overdose than died in the entire Vietnam and Iraq Wars
Pennsylvania had a 44% increase in overdose deaths in 2017
The death toll every 3 weeks from opioid overdoses is equal to the death toll of 9/11

4. Myths and Stigmas About Opioid Use Disorder
It is a choice
It is a moral failing
They want to be that way
They are bad people
They are just “junkies”
Darwinism- Survival of the fittest
They are criminals
It could never happen to me
Bold 4 areas and talk about them in detail
Break into 2-3 slides and increase font 30% so it is readable

5. Myths and Stigmas About Opioid Use Disorder
They don’t really want help
It is easy to get treatment
They should just stop, it’s all about willpower
If they didn’t want to live like that-they wouldn’t
If you have an opioid use disorder you can’t have pain
Narcan enables substance use
Medicated Assisted Treatment enables substance use

6. What Does Stigma Mean To You

7. The Truth About Opioid Use Disorder
I’ve never met someone who reported that when they were a child their life goal was to become a heroin addict
It can happen to anyone
Individuals who have Opioid Use Disorder play many roles in life such as mother, father, son, daughter etc..

8. How Does It Happen Trauma Physical injury Surgery Dental Work
Peer Pressure
Social learning theory
Culture
There are numerous pathways to Opioid Use Disorder

9. Understanding the Patient
When we understand the patient is in a crisis it is easier for us to keep ourselves emotionally regulated
Do not take things the patient says personally
Remain calm, understanding, and empathic
If the patient is upset, and then we become upset, the rapport can become damaged
If our rapport becomes damaged we may start to tell others about how upset the patient has made us causing the culture of their treatment to change

10. How do we Effectively Communicate with a Complex Care Patient
The individual must first be out of the crisis response and their brains must be calmed.
Show empathy
Rate of speech and tone of voice
Demonstrate Understanding, if you don’t understand the patient ask for clarification
Be genuine
Body language, standing in non-judgmental positions
Eye contact

11. Meet the Patient Where They Are
It is important to understand that we often live in separate realities/worlds
We all come from different walks of life, making our perceptions of life different
In order to achieve maximum communication and understanding we must first understand the patient’s perception and understanding of the presenting situation
We must communicate in a manor that is easily understood

12. Language Matters
Changing language is a way to personally and culturally close one chapter in our history and open another.
Language is filled with layers of meanings that fill our personal and professional lives
We must be willing to question our beliefs and assumptions about language to be respectful to all points of view.
Language is the key to changing the way people with substance use disorders see themselves and the way they are seen by others.

13. Language Matters

14. Overview of Harm Reduction Philosophy
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with substance use
Meet the patient where they are in their addiction
Utilize a holistic approach/treat the whole person
Provide harm reduction education techniques to individuals
Safer injection techniques
Naloxone training/education
Naloxone access and administration training

15. How to reach us for further questions
Ashley Potts, MSW, LSW