Center for Network Therapy Urges Making an Impact on International Overdose Awareness Day

WEST ORANGE, N.J., Aug. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in 20 years, overdose deaths from prescription and non-prescription drugs decreased slightly in 2018, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Center for Network Therapy (CNT) urges communities to ride this ray of hope and make International Overdose Awareness Day impactful.

"While a 5% decline is modest, it is heartening that we have turned the tide in the fight against addiction," said Dr. Indra Cidambi, founder, and Medical Director of CNT. "While increased availability of Narcan and opioid prescription changes helped, increased access to outpatient addiction treatment appears to have had an impact. I have been treating addiction for 15 years and have found that providing detoxification on an outpatient basis has delivered better outcomes relative to inpatient detoxification."

The United States makes up just six percent of the world's population but more than 50 percent of the world's overdose deaths. Center for Network Therapy's founder, Medical Director and leading addiction specialist. Dr. Indra Cidambi, shares 5 ways individuals can make International Overdose Awareness Day impactful:

    --  Choose De-Stigmatizing Words: The stigma associated with addiction is a
        barrier to seeking treatment. It carries many negative consequences and
        the fear of being damagingly labeled. Something as small as changing the
        way we use words when speaking about addiction helps reduce the stigma
        that plagues addiction. Replace words like "addict" or "alcoholic" with
        terms such as "person suffering from a substance use disorder."
    --  Choose De-Stigmatizing Actions: Unlike for other chronic diseases,
        treatment for addiction is, by default, provided on an inpatient basis
        during the acute phases. This adds to the stigma as it facilitates the
        view that addiction is a behavioral problem that needs to be punished,
        and not a disease. Choose outpatient treatment, as it not only reduces
        the stigma associated with the disease of addiction, it also delivers
        better outcomes.
    --  Show Your Support - Wear Silver: Silver is the official color of
        International Overdose Awareness Day. Wear silver clothing or
        accessories to show support for those who lost a loved one due to an
        overdose or those who are currently suffering from substance abuse.
        Acting in solidarity is a great way to participate.
    --  Participate/Host a Prevention Event: Get involved with a local
        organization or partner with one that offers educational programs, such
        as one related to preventing opioid use or underage drinking. Another
        way to help spread awareness through education is to host a community
        event.
    --  Train to Save a Life: Access to Narcan (Naloxone) is expanding. Most
        states have passed laws to widen the availability to Narcan. Narcan now
        does not need a prescription. If a loved one is addicted, you may want
        to have a dose of Narcan handy. Training to administer it is widely
        available. You never know, you may save a life!

For more information on substance abuse dependency, addiction, and treatment, please visit www.RecorveryCNT.com.

About Center for Network Therapy (CNT)
CNT is New Jersey's first facility to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification and Withdrawal Management for alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, and opiates. Led by Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Indra Cidambi, M.D., experienced physicians and nurses provide high-quality treatment. Dr. Cidambi and team have successfully detoxed over 1500 patients in 6+ years.

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SOURCE Center for Network Therapy