Georgia School of Addiction Studies

As the pandemic fuels record overdose deaths, American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM and Shatterproof have developed a tool to recommend a treatment type to begin access to professional resources for people struggling with addiction. Learn more via GPB News: https://bit.ly/3c1jkcG.

Registration is open to join Georgia Council on Substance Abuse for the virtual Addiction Recovery Awareness Day (ARAD) on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, via Zoom. This event is a great opportunity for peers and our allies from all across Georgia to attend, participate, speak out, and speak up for recovery! Sign up now for FREE: https://bit.ly/2MTW7Po. #GARecovers

Resource alert! Partnership to End Addiction's new toolkit provides a great introduction to advocating on the issue of addiction. As we prepare for events like ARAD and SAPAD, this is a fantastic tool to utilize! Get tips for building relationships and effectively communicating with your legislators and much more! Download the toolkit now: https://bit.ly/3oZmJN0.

"Addiction is often referred to as a disease of isolation, and overcoming that challenge has only become more difficult during a pandemic that has forced people indoors in some cases to live lonely lives, with drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the stress." More via The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/3oviV5O.

Save the date for Addiction Recovery Awareness Day (ARAD) 2021! Sign up to join Georgia Council on Substance Abuse on Tuesday, February 2 via Zoom. Let your recovery advocacy voices be heard! This will be a day of fellowship with education about and connection to Recovery. Attendance is free! Don't miss this unique opportunity for peers and our allies from all across Georgia to attend, participate, speak out, and speak up for recovery!... Register today: https://bit.ly/2MTW7Po. #GARecovers

Join Lucy Cannon for "Telehealth and COVID-19 Guidelines Update: How to develop and implement an effective telehealth program" on January 29 at 9 am. This webinar will focus on updating healthcare providers on telehealth COVID-19 Guidelines according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HIPAA Privacy Rules. 6 Telemental Health hours have been approved by LPCA and Georgia Society of Clinical Social Workers.... Register now for $75: https://bit.ly/3oyp5Cb.

Are you or is someone you know struggling with substance use or a mental health challenge? The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (1-800-715-4225) provides immediate, free & confidential support 24/7 to those seeking routine or crisis services. More via Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities: dbhdd.georgia.gov/access-services.

The holidays may be merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to impaired driving. Every holiday season, many lives are lost due to drunk drivers. If you plan to drink, arrange for a designated driver ahead of time!

"While reducing the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing and virtual events is vital, these restrictions have taken a toll on the recovery community..." Read more on why this is a difficult time for addiction recovery via GradyNewsource: https://bit.ly/345nAmL.

With guidance from the medical community, two Georgia Tech grads created Reframe, a new app that uses neuroscience to help users quit drinking alcohol. Learn more via AJC: https://bit.ly/37XklyW.

December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month. According to the CDC, "Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 50 minutes." How does Georgia stack up against the national statistics? Find out here: https://bit.ly/3ouBUNv.

Do you educate teens on the dangers of vaping? U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products has developed youth vaping prevention posters for use by various groups including doctors, schools, youth groups, or state and local public health agencies. Order or download the posters for free: https://bit.ly/2VMLzml.

It's RedRibbonWeek - the largest drug abuse prevention campaign in the nation! Celebrate with The Red Ribbon Campaign this week by participating in virtual activities and the national photo contest! Get involved: https://bit.ly/3isVMgI.

This Saturday, October 24, from 10 am - 2 pm is Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Make plans now to drop off your expired, unused or unwanted medications at a location near you! Find one at takebackday.dea.gov.

The social isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is making treating the opioid epidemic so much harder. Read more via USA TODAY: https://bit.ly/355KPgf.

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month! Now is a great time to talk to teens about drug use and underage drinking. Talk. They Hear You. is a free app from SAMHSA that helps you prepare for these important conversations. Download: https://bit.ly/3lcyj4Z.

Celebrate World Mental Health Day by spreading the word about support services available in Georgia! The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) provides free, immediate support 24/7 to individuals seeking routine or crisis resources. Call 1-800-715-4225 or visit mygcal.com.

Save the date for the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this month on Saturday, October 24 from 10 am - 2 pm. Download posters, social media images and more from Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA's Partnership Toolbox to help promote this important day in your community: http://bit.ly/31VwpwE.

One of the best ways you can care for your lungs is to avoid smoking or vaping! In honor of Healthy Lung Month, spread the word about the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP) which offers 24/7, free and confidential support to help you quit: dph.georgia.gov/gtql.

Today is World Heart Day! Did you know? Smoking causes damage to your heart and blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of all deaths in the United States. Make a plan to quit smoking and stick to it with the resources provided by smokefree.gov.

Red Ribbon Week is in one month! Now is the perfect time to begin working on The Red Ribbon Campaign's National Photo Contest! Encourage the youth in your life to get creative and enter to win an iPad and $1,000 for their school! Get more information here: redribbon.org/contest.

Join National Council for Behavioral Health for a virtual Recovery Month Luncheon next Tuesday, September 29, from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Attend on Zoom or Facebook Live to hear from thought leaders, discuss trends and deepen our awareness of recovery: https://bit.ly/336uQNT.

Happy National Addiction Professionals Day! Thank you for the hard work you do on a daily basis to support recovery efforts and positively impact individuals, families and communities.

Why is Recovery Month important and what can professionals do to make sure the message is clear and positive? Check out "Your Choices, Our Lives: A Quick Guide to Fair and Accurate Coverage of Addiction & Mental Illness" via National Recovery Month: https://bit.ly/3bxVIdJ.

"Researchers are starting to home in on the ways in which the use of e-cigarettes raises the chances of catching the virus, and suffering its worst effects." Learn what connections are being made by new research via The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/2Zgk6vp.

Spread the word this Recovery Month and beyond: Georgia Council on Substance Abuse offers virtual recovery meetings twice daily!