August is...

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day

An overdose is simply the unintentional taking of more of a substance than the body can handle. This can range from over-the-counter medicine and alcohol to opioids.

Fentanyl, an opioid derivative, has received a lot of media attention lately due to its extremely addictive properties which can enslave the user within 2 to 3 uses.  From there on the addiction will drive the user to constantly seek the next fix leading to overuse and overdoses of this drug.  In 2016, 363 people in Alberta died from a fentanyl overdose while in the first three months of this year 113 have died of this overdose. Almost everyone has heard of, or knows, an individual that has been afflicted by this addiction.

Thankfully a drug called naloxone can neutralize/reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose if given in a timely manner.  Naloxone kits are now free from a number of resources in our community.  To find out where to get a kit and how to use it, ask your family doctor at Care in the Creek Medical Centre.

Be advised that once the person has recovered from a fentanyl overdose, there is still a very long and difficult road ahead to eventually cure the addiction.   Talking to your family doctor at Care in the Creek Medical Centre is the first step toward a full recovery.

DR. ANNELIES NOORDMAN, is accepting new patients.
Call 403-949-2457 today to book your appointment