You can make a difference here! West Sound Treatment Center’s annual toy drive is back, and it’s all about spreading joy to kids whose parents are on the road to recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). These families are in a tough spot, focusing on rebuilding healthy lives — and let’s be real, holiday gifts…
Category: Harm Reduction
Save a Life
Rescue Breaths Rescue breaths can save a life during an overdose because drugs such as fentanyl and xylazine slow or stop a person’s breathing. Rescue breaths are a good idea in an overdose situation even if naloxone has already been administered. In fact, someone may not begin to breathe on their own until two to…
Understanding Your Hangover
The Morning After If you feel sick the morning after binge drinking, you may wonder, what exactly is this thing called a hangover? And more importantly, is there a cure? The answers to those questions aren’t so straightforward, though. Alcohol affects every body differently, so your combination of symptoms may be unique. Here are the…
Understanding Naloxone
The Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent Naloxone, often referred to by its brand name Narcan, has become a critical tool in the battle against opioid overdose deaths. As opioid addiction continues to be a widespread public health concern, understanding how naloxone works is essential for both health care professionals and the general public. How Opioids…
What Is Harm Reduction?
What is Harm Reduction? Harm Reduction Services are evidence-based methods of reducing the negative effects of substance use for individuals and for communities. How does WSTC practice Harm Reduction? *Providing SUD treatment & motivational interviewing*Distributing opioid overdose reversal medications (naloxone)*Providing peer support specialists & case management*Promoting linkages to social services*Providing education & referrals to care*Reducing…
Michelle Vargo: Peer Recovery Coach for the REAL Program at WSTC
The Recovery Empowerment Advocacy and Linkage Program is still in its infancy stages, but REAL Team Peer Recovery Coach Michelle Vargo is serious about its mission to help at-risk and underserved people to access supportive and public health services. Michelle and the Team has visited the encampments of unhoused people throughout Kitsap County several times…
What You Need To Know in Case of Opioid Overdose
Fatal overdoses from opioids, and especially fentanyl, are climbing in Washington. This July may have been the worst month for overdoses in almost two years, with 1,031 overdoses reported in 31 days, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Fortunately, Naloxone can prevent an opioid overdose death if it is administered quickly. Emergency responders…
