Month: August 2016

My friend is hooked on painkillers, what should I do?

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Addiction is a devastating disease that can have life-threatening consequences if not treated. It is important to know where to go on campus in case you or a friend is ever in need of help.

Counseling and Consultation Services

  • Location: Younkin Success Center (4th Floor), 1640 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
  • Phone: 614-292-5766
  • About: Provide individual and group counseling, suicide prevention, mental health screenings and a variety of other mental health services to meet your needs.

The Ohio State Collegiate Recovery Community

  • Location: 1230 Lincoln Tower
  • Phone: 614-292-2094
  • About: The Collegiate Recovery Community is a program for students in or seeking recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. They provide many resources for students in recovery including the following:
    • Recovery House at Penn Place
    • Peer to peer support
    • Devoted recovery staff
    • Advocacy, information and referrals
    • On campus support group meetings
    • Monthly wellness workshops
    • Social events
    • CRC Student Leadership Board
    • Service opportunities
    • Recovery Scholarships
    • Annual CRC Program Orientation
    • Graduation Dinner
    • Individualized Recovery Plans
    • Ohio State alumni in recovery mentor program
    • Leadership and professional development
    • Scarlet, Gray & Sober Tailgates
    • Monthly community lunch
    • Designated CRC lounge on campus, 1230 Lincoln Tower

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery

  • Location: 125 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
  • Phone: 614-292-5572
  • About: Can help students identify resources and answer their questions about drug and alcohol misuse. The center can also help identify the best way to talk to a friend who may be misusing drugs or alcohol.

Student Health Services

  • Location: 1875 Millikin Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
  • Phone: 614-292-4321
  • About: Student Health Services is dedicated to caring for students and families of those struggling with the disease of addiction. For those in long-term recovery, SHS can provide maintenance medication if certain expectations are met. Call a Care Manager at Counseling and Consultation Services to apply (614-292-5766). The SHS Pharmacy is also equipped to provide naloxone (Narcan), the overdose reversal medication, and overdose education. Call 614-292-0125 for more information.

It is important to speak up if you or a loved one is struggling with the disease of addiction. You could save a life! Be sure to check out my next post about naloxone, a drug that can reverse opioid overdose!

 

Kelsey Kresser Schmuhl, PharmD Candidate 2017

 

 

 

 

Should I have my cholesterol tested?

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There are several risk factors for heart disease and stroke.  These include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, high blood cholesterol levels, and family history of heart disease and stroke.  High cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels causing narrowing and reduced blood flow.  This can lead to heart disease and stroke.

The U.S. Preventive Task Force recommends that men get a blood cholesterol test at age 35 years and women at age 45 years.  This should be done every five years.  The cholesterol test may be performed at an earlier age or more frequently if you have any of the cardiovascular risk factors mentioned above.  The accuracy of cholesterol tests done at public screenings such as health fairs varies.  It is probably better to discuss this with your provider who can order more reliable testing.

Dr. Matthew Peters

The Problem with Antibiotics

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There are many types of antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics treat bacterial infections.  Penicillin was discovered in 1928.  It was first used on a patient in 1941.  It was mass produced by the end of World War II.  There are now dozens of antibiotics on the market.  These drugs have reduced illness and death from infectious diseases.  However, bacteria have adapted resulting in these drugs becoming less effective.

These antibacterials medicines do not work on all infections. They treat bacteria but not viral infections.  Common viral infections are colds, influenza, bronchitis, and most sore throats and sinus infections.

Overuse of antibiotics contributes to more serious drug-resistant bacteria. The CDC estimates that 23,000 people in this country die yearly from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Reasons for overuse include pressure on healthcare providers to prescribe these drugs, patients using leftover antibiotics, and patients using antibiotics purchased overseas.

What can we do? Do not expect antibiotics to cure every illness.  Please do not pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic.  Most colds and coughs will take two weeks or longer to resolve.  Complete the entire course when an antibiotic is prescribed,.  Also, never take someone else’s medication.

 

Dr. Matthew Peters, MD