In 2008 a wildfire swept through Butte County, California. The fire burned for a month and over 10,000 residents fled their homes. In Butte County, as in all communities, drug and alcohol problems are often hidden. These problems became obvious during the fire and in its immediate aftermath. First responders had to cope with methamphetamine users, alcoholics, and people struggling with addictions. Once people got to shelters they risked going into withdrawal, both from illicit drugs and also from prescription medications. These needs placed additional burdens on scarce resources.
After the crisis abated, Butte County Public Health responded by inviting Dr. Alex Stalcup to create this video for police, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Stalcup is an addiction medicine specialist who has over 20 years of experience treating addicted patients, conducting research, and training professionals, including physicians and judges, about the effects of drugs of abuse. Dr. Stalcup integrates his experience helping patients recover from addiction with his broad knowledge of the scientific literature to create a presentation that is both authoritative and accessible. His passion for improving treatment of people suffering from addiction is evident throughout.
Topics covered in this training include:
• assessment and management of intoxication
• assessment and treatment of withdrawal
• mental health symptoms in drug users
• considerations for first responders
• neurobiology of addiction
• causes of craving
• relapse prevention
Highlights of this training have been selected for inclusion in this ~330 minute DVD. Slides used during the talk have been both incorporated into the video and also included as a separate PowerPoint presentation. These materials are appropriate for training counselors, first responders, and primary care physicians. Family and friends of addicted persons will find that this training gives them an understanding of the disease with which their loved ones struggle.
For more information about Dr. Stalcup's outpatient program in Lafayette, California, New Leaf Treatment Center, visit us at http://www.nltc.com.
The full video may be purchased at http://www.nltc.com/video.html.
Dr Stalcup has a fantastic ability to convey the science behind addiction along with a compassion for people suffering from addiction. I recommend his video for all who want an introduction to this essential area.
dmcircus 10 months ago