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Tag Archives: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

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Categories BHARC, News Tags Health, Naloxone, Narcan, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Bizzell Releases Essential Opioid Overdose Response Video in Wake of National Crisis

Bizzell Releases Essential Opioid Overdose Response Video in Wake of National Crisis

January 22, 2024, New Carrollton, Maryland – As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities with over 136 American deaths daily, primarily from fentanyl-laced drugs, Bizzell US (Bizzell) has developed and unveiled a vital educational tool. The company has released “Opioid 5 Steps to Respond to Opioid Overdose,” a video outlining critical steps to respond to an opioid overdose, developed under the guidance of leading experts in the field.

The video’s creation was informed by the extensive knowledge and experience of Bizzell’s team of specialists, including experts in health and human services, behavioral health, public health, substance use disorders, treatment and prevention, maternal and child health, medication-assisted treatment, mental health, and pharmacy operations. This collective expertise ensures that the video is not only informative but also grounded in the latest research and best practices.

Anton C. Bizzell, MD, Chairman and CEO, William H. Scarbrough, III, PhD, and Todd W. Mandell, MD are among some of notable experts at Bizzell who contributed their insights, reflecting decades of experience in fields relevant to opioid crisis management, behavioral health, and substance use disorders. Their involvement underscores Bizzell’s commitment to leveraging deep expertise in tackling this pressing public health issue.

This initiative is part of Bizzell’s broader effort to educate and empower individuals and communities in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The video is mandatory viewing for all Bizzell employees and is accompanied by a call to action to carry naloxone (Narcan), an effective emergency response medication now available over the counter.

The educational video will also be accessible on the Bizzell and the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) website, forming part of an informative mini-series on the opioid crisis.

About Bizzell US

Bizzell is a strategy, consulting, investment, & technology firm headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland. Bizzell is a partner of choice for federal, state, and local government agencies, and private organizations. With a strong emphasis on innovation and impact, Bizzell transforms small ideas into powerful catalysts that drive change across markets worldwide. Learn more at www.BizzellUS.com.

About Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC)

Bizzell established the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) to provide expert information and resources to support the behavioral health community. With BHARC, Bizzell disseminates new ideas, tools, and solutions to critical behavioral health issues including the opioid epidemic, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and more. As a leader in behavioral health initiatives, we bring together subject matter experts with exceptional experience, as well as commitment to behavioral health solutions.

For more information, visit www.bharc.org.

Categories Insights Tags Behavioral Health, CEO Insights, Health, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

Nearly 52 million Americans 18 and older are living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of people suffering from panic disorders and anxiety are increasing. A common medication for treating panic disorders and anxiety is a prescription drug called Xanax. While Xanax can help relieve anxiety and panic symptoms, it is highly addictive. It is important that individuals taking Xanax become aware of the signs of an addiction to Xanax, which can include withdrawing from relationships and preoccupation with your Xanax use.  As individuals become preoccupied with maintaining a steady supply of Xanax, financial troubles and concerning behaviors may increase. In a recent WebMD Connect to Care article on signs of Xanax addiction, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of The Bizzell Group and a substance abuse expert, highlighted some additional telltale signs: “Maintaining a supply of the drug on hand, mixing with alcohol or other drugs, and developing dangerous behaviors to obtain the prescription, including stealing or getting it from the streets.”

Recognizing the signs of an addiction is an important step towards getting help to treat an addiction—for yourself or others you love.

READ MORE: 3 Xanax Addiction Signs to Lookout For

Categories BHARC, Insights Tags CEO Insights, Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Why Overdose Awareness Matters More Than Ever

Why Overdose Awareness Matters More Than Ever

International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31st, began in Australia 20 years ago to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and remind us of the grief felt by the families and friends of those who have died due to substance use disorders (SUD). Today, International Overdose Awareness Day is recognized in more than 40 countries.

Isolation individuals have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health and SUD challenges, and reduced access to supportive communities and behavioral health care. Substance use and overdose deaths have increased during the pandemic.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and others have developed approaches, tips, and guidance for managing your mental health during this time, as well as links for locating treatment for substance use disorders. Anton C. Bizzell, MD, President/CEO of The Bizzell Group, has dedicated his career to improving access to quality substance abuse, mental health, and medical treatment and prevention services, and writes about timely behavioral health solutions in his monthly Psychology Today column, Mind Your Health. You can make a difference too, by accessing these resources and promoting behavioral health in your community.

Read more: Why Overdose Awareness Matters More Than Ever

Categories News Tags Behavioral Health, CEO Insights, CEO News, Health, Infectious Disease, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Thought Leadership

Mobile Clinics Tested as a Way to Treat Substance Use Disorders

Mobile Clinics Tested as a Way to Treat Substance Use Disorders

 

Mobile health units may be able to help manage HIV infections and opioid use disorder. A clinical trial, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, aims to determine mobile clinics’ effectiveness and usefulness in opioid use disorder treatment. The clinical trial will have 860 participants, for 26 weeks and in five cities—Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.  Researchers will evaluate whether these mobile health units will help people to treat opioid use disorder and prevent or receive care for HIV/AIDS.

“If they have HIV/AIDS, it can then be transferred to another person,” said Anton C. Bizzell, MD, a physician who advocates for addressing healthcare disparities and the chief executive order of the Bizzell Group, tells Verywell. “It’s also important to know that we can decrease the incidence of substance abuse, as well as infections that can occur.” People may be reluctant to access appropriate health care due to stigma and cost. Dr. Bizzell states that if you take the mobile clinics to where people live and work, they are more likely to receive care.

Read more: NIH-Funded Study Tests Mobile Clinics as a Way to Treat Substance Abuse

Image Source: Métraux, J. (2021). Verywell/LifeLineMobile [Online Picture]. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/study-investigates-if-mobile-clinics-will-help-people-with-opioid-use-disorder-5190855

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