While we are still experiencing the backlash of COVID-19, America has certainly seen an increase in the number of overdose deaths as a result of isolation and lack of support for those individuals with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). From May 2019 to May 2020 there were over 81,000 drug overdose deaths in […]
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Positive Language for Stigma Reduction
Language towards those with substance use disorder is a crucial part of their recovery process. The words and phrases we use frame the public perception on addiction and recovery, affecting how individuals see themselves and their ability to change. How we address those with substance use disorder can, intentionally or unintentionally, propel stigma and create […]
Read MoreWe All Have A Story
It’s true…. we all have a story. Hi, my name is Julie Seymore and I am the Treatment Court Administrator for the 11th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court in St. Charles County, Missouri. My story has a couple of stories within the story and they all revolve around tragedies that occurred because of alcohol. First, I […]
Read MoreHow EtG/EtS testing Detects Ethanol in Alcohol Better Than Simple Alcohol Testing
Globally, up to 3.3 million people die every year due to alcohol use disorder. This legal drug is one of the most commonly abused substances, yet it is one of the more difficult substances to detect. When you partner with a drug testing vendor, they can use EtG (ethyl glucuronide) and EtS (ethyl sulfate) testing […]
Read MoreBeyond Alcohol – The Challenges of Supervising the Drug-Impaired Driver
By: Mark Stodola, Impaired Driving Consultant When I was new to the field of adult probation supervision in Phoenix, Arizona in the mid 1980’s, I inherited a caseload of about 70 individuals convicted of a wide variety of charges, including Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Having received a total of one week of training, I can’t […]
Read MoreThe Importance of Lab-Based Testing for Accuracy and Reliability
Evidence-based drug testing practices serve a critical role in helping people to navigate the intersection of criminal justice programs and healthcare. Many courts and probation departments understand the crucial importance of random testing but choosing a substance use monitoring partner that has a reliable process and the best testing technology is just as important. Averhealth’s […]
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