The Language We Use to Talk About Mental Health and Substance Use
Words matter. They impact the assumptions we make about others, the way we understand someone else’s experiences, and the value we place on others.
Opioids
Opioids are either are derived from the opium poppy or produced from chemicals to provide or intensify the effects of natural opium. There are many different opioids, including morphine, heroin and codeine. They can be manufactured in regulated labs and used for medical treatment in and outside of hospitals, but they can also be made in illicit labs by people with varying degrees of competence.
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Treatments: What Works?
It seems like everyone has an opinion when it comes to treatments for mental health or substance use problems. To add to the confusion, it isn’t always obvious who is basing their opinions on real evidence and who is not. And while we often hear people talk about evidence-based treatments, it’s also clear that complementary and alternative medicine approaches are helpful for some.
Learn About Opioids Reference List
The list below provides the references to the research studies discussed in Learn About Opioids.
Finding the Right Help - Navigating the System
While it's common to talk about the mental health system, the system isn’t a singular entity. The system might include primary care, mental health, substance use, housing, income assistance, and justice. They are not always accessed the same way, through similar gatekeepers.
Recovery
When we talk about mental illnesses and substance use problems, it’s easy to talk in clinical terms: that person has this symptom, or that person uses a certain drug. But recovery is so much bigger than a checklist.
Heroin
Heroin is a depressant or downer. It slows your body and can make people feel relaxed.
