This holiday season, as we continue to recover from COVID-19 and its many lasting effects, we are seeing a rise in mental health cases known to trigger Opioid Use Disorder. Keep reading to learn more about various triggers and how you can help alleviate concerns for those dealing with OUD, as well as support them on their path to recovery.

OUD is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in the United States, despite the increasing number of evidence-based treatment options. To eliminate stigma, it is vital that we create a safe space in which people dealing with OUD can feel heard and understood. You can help give them a voice by implementing these five ways to identify, understand, and eliminate stigma in your everyday encounters with drug abuse.

Our Opioid Impact Team members, emergency room physician Nick Vasquez MD, and marketing professional and mother of a young adult in recovery Debra Stevens, put together an op-ed which you can read here on AZCentral. This article focuses on Fentanyl, its impact on the workplace, and what you can do as an employer or coworker to support individuals dealing with Opioid Use Disorder.

Research shows that 75% of employers report that opioid use has impacted their workplace and 17% report feeling well-prepared enough to address the issue. In fact, overdose deaths at work have increased 7 years in a row. If your business is concerned about productivity, business costs, culture, employee satisfaction, workplace safety, family dynamics, or healthcare costs, you should look into addressing OUD at your workplace.