IN THIS ISSUE

WINTER ● 2016

Innovative Solutions

for Progressive Organizations

To contact your

Employee Assistance Program, call:

1-800-825-5327

EAP Locations: Altoona

Downtown Pittsburgh Greensburg Grove City

Monroeville New Kensington

Robinson Township/Airport Area Shadyside

Upper St. Clair Wexford

Contact your EAP for any updates to this list.

Opioid Addiction Crisis

By Bob Mason, LCSW, CEAP. Director of EAP Services

During the past few years the tragedy of drug overdoses by people who became addicted to prescription pain medication and/ or heroin has frequently become front page news. Opioids are synthetic opiate-like narcotic medications. They include hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin), and oxyxodone (e.g. OxyContin, Percocet). Opiates are derived from opium and include codeine, morphine and heroin.

In the 1990s Oxycodone, a long lasting concentrated form of a narcotic prescribed for pain control, became available in pill form, under the brand name OxyContin. Prescribed liberally, some people became physiologically dependent on the medication and experienced withdrawal symptoms if they tried to decrease or discontinue the medication. This physiological dependence is not the same as addiction, which also includes behavioral changes such as using

more medication than prescribed, seeking illicit drugs—such as heroin—to supplement the medication, and negative impacts on job or educational performance and relationships with friends and family.

From 2008 to 2014, 1,355 Allegheny County residents died from overdoses of prescription pain medication, heroin, and fentanyl according to the County’s Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. Their report notes “In recent years, more residents have died from drug overdoses than from traffic accidents and homicides combined.” These overdose deaths were particularly prominent for people ages 25-34. At least 45 per cent of the people having fatal overdoses had filled prescriptions for psychiatric or pain medications

(Continued on page 2)

The Newsletter of 21st Century Employee Assistance Partners

Newsletter Editor: Bob Mason, LCSW, CEAP, Director of EAP Services

Opioid Addiction Crisis .............................. P. 1

Staff Profile .............................................. P. 2

Why Do I Need Tested for Hepatitis C? .... P. 3

Reducing Holiday Stress ............................ P. 3

(continued from page 1)

during the 90 days prior to their deaths.

By 2014,seven million Americans were experiencing a drug abuse/ dependence disorder. The cost to society was $193 billion in 2015. In that same year 22 out of every 100,000 Pennsylvanians were dying from Opioid overdoses. The Pennsylvania legislature responded by passing several bills that included prescription monitoring and the appropriation of funds to increase the availability of treatment for drug addiction. Governor Tom Wolf’s administration promoted the availability of Narcan which can reverse the symptoms of withdrawal.

In March of 2016 President Barack Obama addressed the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit and stated “. . . we need to recognize that addiction is a disease. If we treat addiction like a crime then we’re doing something that’s . . . . ineffective.” He emphasized that “mental health issues and addiction issues” should be “treated as a disease in the same way that if somebody came in with a serious

medical illness that it’s treated.” Based on decades of scientific research we now understand that addiction is a disease of the brain and, like other diseases, it affects tissue function. MRIs show the effects on the brain just as other imaging shows the effects of heart disease on the heart. Multiple factors—genetic inheritance, environmental stress, and brain mechanisms—can all contribute to someone becoming addicted. It can also start with appropriately prescribed pain medication. Like heart disease and diabetes, the brain disease of addiction is a chronic condition and is not due to a lack of character or discipline. And like these other diseases effective treatment can call for a combination of treatment approaches, including detox, rehabilitation, education, therapy, 12 step support groups, and medication.

To find out more about addiction and its treatment and available resources, contact 21st Century EAP at: 1-800-825-5327.▄

"When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the

view from the top"

Author Unknown

Staff Profile Christine Saitz, LCSW

Christine Saitz joined the staff of 21st Century EAP this past summer. Chris graduated from Smith College with a degree in mathematics and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990. Since 1990, Christine has worked with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings, including clinics and schools, in the Pittsburgh area. In her free time, Chris enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, gardening, bee keeping and attending her children’s athletic and musical events.

Reducing Holiday Stress

The winter holidays are often viewed as a joyous time of year, filled with meaningful religious observances and happy gatherings with family and friends. Unfortunately, they can also be accompanied by stress. The stress may be due to the physical demands of shopping, holiday preparations, and an intensified schedule of activities. There may be stress due to unresolved family or relationship issues and sadness because of losses, loved ones who have died during the past year. Finally, many people experience stress because of the expense of gifts and special celebrations.

Here are some ways to reduce the stress: If you are experiencing loss, accept your feelings of sadness. Don’t force

yourself to be happy. If you feel isolated, seek connections with family and friends, community or

religious groups. Consider volunteering to help others. Accept changes in family routines and traditions. Set aside differences and discussion of issues for another time. Establish and stick to a realistic budget. Plan ahead—menus, times to shop, etc. Say “ no” to unrealistic demands on your time whenever possible. Make

sure that your expectations of yourself and others are realistic. Maintain healthy habits, but allow for a little indulgence. Make time for

enough sleep and exercise. Take a break—even just 15 minutes to relax can help when things are just

too hectic. If you make New Year’s resolutions, set small, realistic goals. Forget expectations of perfection for yourself and others. If you find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, hopeless, irritable,

and/ or having trouble sleeping and unable to handle routine responsibilities, contact 21st Century EAP at 1-800-825-5327 or through a secure link on our website, www.21stcenturyeap.com.

Happy Holidays from 21ST Century EAP!

Hepatitis C is a blood transmitted disease that has no obvious symptoms yet it slowly can damage the liver if untreated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that Baby Boomers, born between 1945 and 1965, be tested. Hep C is not part of any routine blood test. This generational group is 5 times more likely than any other age group to have Hep C. Many have been infected for many years yet they have no symptoms. Hepatitis C is a virus that can be transmitted by small amounts of blood, often not visible to the naked eye. Because the virus can live outside the body for up to 3 weeks, even a small amount of blood can cause an infection. Hep C was not discovered until 1989 and donated blood was not screened until 1992. According to the CDC, many Baby Boomers were infected in the 1970’s and 1980’s from blood transfusions when infection control standards were not what they are today. Baby Boomers could have been infected from medical equipment before infection control procedures were developed. 3 out of 4 people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C were born from 1945 to 1965. Anyone can contract the Hepatitis C virus if infected. Because of today’s modern testing and effective treatment methods, it can be identified through blood testing and treated successfully. The most significant risk factor for contracting Hep C is drug use, especially I.V. drug use. Using and sharing contaminated needles and other drug paraphernalia increases the risk of infection significantly. Daily contact with an infected household member creates a strong likelihood of becoming infected. Even maternal-infant transmission can be an avenue for spreading the disease. Certain

Why Do I Need Tested for Hepatitis C? By James R. Long, Ph.D.

specialized risks include manicures, shared toothbrushes, and barber shop straight razors. Tattooing, body piercing, ear piercing and even

acupuncture can contribute if careful sterilization practices are not utilized. Heterosexual or homosexual activity with multiple sexual partners has been determined as a way of transmitting the disease. The only way to know if you have Hep C is to be tested. The blood test is called the Hepatitis C antibody test. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your primary care physician and go to: www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis.

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It’s easy!

Go to www.21stcenturyeap.com

Click on “CONTACT US” from the menu at the top of the page

Then select “REQUEST SERVICES”

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The Employee Assistance Program is provided to employees and their dependents (where applicable) through

21st Century Employee Assistance Partners.

EAP counselors can help with family, marital and job stress, substance abuse and emotional problems, and many

other issues. All contacts with the EAP are confidential to the extent permitted by law. Information about your call,

or your visit, is not available to anyone unless you decide it is something you wish to share.

Initial assessments or counseling sessions are provided at no cost to you. Any subsequent services needed will be

arranged in accordance with your health insurance benefit or ability to pay.

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EAPLIFE TIPS Innovative Solutions for Progressive Organizations WINTER 2016