Physical Health

Thinking of quitting? How to nix the nicotine

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 19:58:57 +0000

Thinking of quitting? How to nix the nicotine Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/20/2019 - 13:58

The end of the spring semester can be a time of change. There’s a lot on the horizon: Whether it’s finding a job, planning a trip or making a plan to quit tobacco, having support can go a long way toward reaching your goals.

What are some things to consider when quitting?

Quitting tobacco use is beneficial to both your physical and mental health. However, quitting takes time and energy, so being prepared and learning what works and what doesn’t can help ensure your success. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Coaching can help you create a detailed plan before you quit, including setting a start date, determining if you want to use a quit-aid and identifying potential triggers.
Share your plan with a few close friends or family members and ask for their support to stay on track.
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like patches, gum and lozenges can reduce withdrawal symptoms and minimize cravings. These are use-specific doses of nicotine, unlike vaping, and are designed to help people step down their use while limiting exposure to other chemicals.
While cravings can be tough, they typically don’t last more than 1- 5 minutes. Having a distraction such as a mobile game or a Rubik’s Cube can help keep you occupied until the craving passes.
Practicing stress management and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, exercising and reading can help prevent relapse.

Be patient with yourself. Quitting tobacco takes time, commitment and self-love. If you slip and use tobacco or other nicotine products, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve learned something new about what worked and what didn’t. Apply that knowledge and continue forward. Many tobacco users try several times before they are able to quit for good.

What resources can help me quit?

Health Promotion (on campus) offers free quit kits, one-on-one tobacco coaching and workshops to support students with explore their relationship with tobacco, identify goals and create a plan. Visit Wardenburg 130 or call 303-492-2937 to schedule an appointment.
The Colorado QuitLine is a free online resource for Colorado residents 15 years of age and older. It offers resources including community support and online or over-the-phone coaching.
Smokefree.gov is an interactive website that can help with creating a quit plan and includes apps and a mobile version for accessing cessation resources on the go. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kill the Can offers support and resources for those looking to quit smokeless tobacco like chew and dip.
This is Quitting is a free app that allows you to connect with real people who have quit JUULs and cigarettes. The app offers free messaging, structured exercises and other training tools to help you be successful.

Choosing to quit using tobacco is beneficial to your physical and mental health. It takes time and energy, so being prepared and learning what works and what doesn’t can help ensure your success.

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Let's talk about Rx drug use: What is an opioid?

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 21:04:58 +0000

Let's talk about Rx drug use: What is an opioid? Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/28/2018 - 14:04

There are many reasons why someone may take a prescription medication. We know that these prescriptions are only safe when taken as directed by a medical professional for a specific health purpose, but for those who still choose to use outside of these conditions* there are some things to be aware of. Whether you’ve heard about the opioid crisis, are concerned about a friend or just want to know more about prescription use and safety, here are the basics.

*It is illegal to take a prescription medication that was not prescribed to you directly.

What is an opioid?

There’s a lot of coverage in the media right now on opioid use in our country. It’s important to know what opioids actually are, where they come from and what the risks of use include.

Opioids are drugs derived from opium, also called opiates. Opioids include semi-synthetic and synthetic opiates, which include illicit drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanyl. Opioids also include prescription pain medications, such as morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and OxyContin.

Opioid overdoses can be fatal and difficult to predict. The best prevention is to avoid opioid use unless explicitly prescribed to you with specific instructions by a medical professional. However, if someone still chooses to use, noting the factors that can contribute to an overdose may help save a life.

Types of other prescription medications

Safety and risks with prescription medications depends on the type of medication in use. It’s good to be aware of the associated effects with each.

Depressants are medications like Xanax and OxyContin, which can create feelings of sedation in users. They can also slow down or stop breathing.
Stimulants are medications like Adderall, which activate the body’s systems and increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. They can also create feelings of alertness.

Mixing any of these with other substances, including alcohol, can seriously increase the risk of negative effects and can be fatal in some cases. It is illegal to use prescription medications that were prescribed to someone else; doing so may also increase the risk of negative effects, as the actual contents of the medication are unknown.

To keep yourself, others and the environment safe, safely dispose of any unused prescription medications at the safe disposal box in the CU Police Department.

Risk factors for overdose

Quality. Substance potency varies substantially and may be cut with dangerous, high-potency opioids.
Mixing. Mixing opioids in particular with alcohol or other medications such as benzodiazepines can slow the respiratory system and stop breathing.
Tolerance. Tolerance decreases after periods without use including detoxification, hospitalization, or if a person resumes use after recovery.
Environment. Using in isolated environments decreases the likelihood of someone being able to help in an overdose situation.
Health problems. Underlying health problems, especially chronic lung diseases like emphysema or sleep apnea can slow the respiratory system—even when the user is not aware they may have these underlying health problems.

If you suspect overdose:

Call 911.

Emergency responders can provide immediate medical attention. If an opiate overdose is suspected, they can administer Naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects and save lives. Naloxone/Narcan is available to anyone at select pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor.

How to help a friend

For those interested in recovery and treating addiction, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (in C4C N352) provides counseling, referrals to community resources, and ongoing suboxone treatment, which provides medically assisted support to those with an opioid addiction.

The CU Collegiate Recovery Center, located in UMC 414, offers meetings and support groups, recovery-focused housing, events and activities, peer support and more for students in recovery or interested in pursuing recovering.

Health Promotion, located on the first floor of Wardenburg Health Center, offers a free training on exploring one’s relationship with substance use.

Click here for more information about alcohol and other drugs policies and resources at ��ӽ紫ý.

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January is National Stalking Awareness Month

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 22:37:27 +0000

January is National Stalking Awareness Month Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 01/25/2018 - 15:37

While legal definitions vary, a working definition of stalking is “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”

According to the Stalking Resource Center, in the United States, over 7.5 million people are stalked each year, with nearly half of all stalking victims (46 percent) facing a least one unwanted contact per week.

The majority of victims are stalked by someone they know (like an ex-partner or roommate), with experiences like having the person show up in places they were not wanted; receiving unwanted telephone calls, voicemails or text messages; being watched or followed from a distance; and being spied on.

Stalking happens in communities across the country, and chances are you know someone who has been stalked. Being someone who takes stalking seriously and is willing to help can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a pattern of unwanted contact that is having impact on you, please contact the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) to discuss safety concerns and explore safety planning.

What is stalking?

Stalking happens in communities across the country, and chances are you know someone who has been stalked. Being someone who takes stalking seriously and is willing to help can make a difference.

Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or alter their everyday activities. The unwanted behaviors can consist of texts, phone calls, emails, social media posts, following someone, spying on someone, leaving unwanted gifts for someone or any combination.

Stalking is against the law in all 50 states and violates ��ӽ紫ý’s policies.

To learn more about stalking, call 303-492-8855 or visit CU’s Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) in the Center for Community. Go to the OVA website for tips on how to log unwanted behavior, how to help a friend and more. Also, OVA advocate counselors always are willing to discuss something more with you confidentially, if you want.

More information on national stalking awareness can be found at the Stalking Resource Center.

How to Help a Friend who is Being Stalked

If you know someone experiencing a pattern of behavior that is causing them to feel fear or alter their everyday activities, there are ways to support them.

Take the situation seriously, and leave out judgement.
Ask about, and listen to, what your friend needs to feel safe.
Let your friend know what you are noticing and express your concern.
Encourage your friend to keep a record of what has been happening.
Please note if you have experienced a similar situation, your friend’s reactions and choices may differ, and that is okay.
Consider referring your friend to free and confidential advocacy, counseling and support services at CU’s Office of Victim Assistance (OVA). They can be contacted at 303-492-8855 or assist@colorado.edu.
Be aware that if you start to feel impacted by your friend’s situation, OVA is here for you, too! Getting support for yourself will allow you to be more available for your friend.

To learn more about stalking, visit the Stalking Resource Center and OVA's stalking pages on the “Get Help” tab. Also, look for more information on OVA’s Facebook page.

While legal definitions vary, a working definition of stalking is “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”

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