Opioids

What Do Trauma and Gender Have to Do with Opioid Use?

The majority of women and men with substance use problems report having experienced some form of trauma, and most have experienced multiple traumas. People often report that they use substances to help cope with the stress or negative emotions that result from trauma.

Duncan’s Overdose Prevention Site

Serving the community and making positive change

Melissa Middlemass

The Chronic Pain of Pain Management

How the new opioid prescribing guidelines risk patient care

Kathryn Sutton

Reprinted from "Opioids" issue of Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (3), p. 26

Since the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) announced changes to the opioid prescribing standards on June 1, 2016, health care providers and people living with pain have raised concerns about how the new policy may have a damaging impact on the treatment of chronic pain in this province.

“It Helped me Forget”

A young mother’s journey through loss—and finding hope

Farren Whitford

Reprinted from "Opioids" issue of Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (3), p. 23

Growing up, I lived with my mom until I was about 12 and then I moved in with my grandma (me and my stepdad just didn’t get along). I lived with Grandma for about a year. She was an awesome lady. Then I got taken away by MCFD [Ministry of Children and Family Development, child protection services].

It Takes a Recovery-Ready Community to Keep Loved Ones Connected and Healthy

And to Reduce the Harm from Substance Use

Sherry Vaile Robinson

Reprinted from "Opioids" issue of Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (3), p. 17

photo of a man

My son Tyler fatally overdosed on heroin laced with fentanyl in a friend’s hotel room on January 27, 2016. He was 23 years old.

Living a Good Life—With or Without Opioids

It all comes down to decent, safe housing

Al Fowler

Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (3), p. 17

photo of a man

I first started using heroin in the late 90s. I was in Matsqui Penitentiary, so it was just a way to get high and escape reality. I was 32 years old. I had started off young, sniffing gas and glue as a kid, and I smoke and drank. Everything was just another means to escape.

How Did We End Up Here?

Holding on through a close friend’s opioid addiction

Astrid*

Reprinted from "Opioids" issue of Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (3), p. 14

It was 4:00 on a Friday evening, about 24 hours since anyone had last seen Gwen. She had been given the opportunity to get help, but she chose instead to leave the hospital. No money. No cell phone. No car. No purse. Nothing. And no one had heard from her since.