New Mexico Health Connections | my connection | Fall 2018

FALL 2018 MY CONNECTION is published as a health and wellness service for the members of NEW MEXICO HEALTH CONNECTIONS. Information comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your primary care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ID0658-0918 Find us online: mynmhc.org Contact us: Customer Service : 855-769-6642 mynmhc.org/contact_us.aspx Michelle McRuiz, editor michelle.mcruiz@mynmhc.org Facebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai As an NMHC member, you can receive your annual flu shot at no charge. Search for an in-network pharmacy at mynmhc.org/Formulary.aspx or call your primary care provider’s office. Make sure the pharmacy has the vaccine available before you go, and take your ID card with you. { G E T Y O U R F L U S H O T — F R E E ! } { MY CONNECTION } 3 C atching the flu can result in misery, missed work and, in the worst cases, even a hospital stay. Good news: Foiling the flu, and its potential consequences, is doable. While there’s no guarantee, here are five strat- egies to try: Get a flu shot every year. Public health officials urge almost everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated, ideally in the fall. Why? It’s the best way to lower your risk of the flu. Wash your hands often. Clean hands are especially important during flu season. Use soap and water or, in a pinch, an alcohol- based hand rub. Don’t stand so close. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and their flu germs. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. It’s a simple trick to avoid transfer- ring any germs you might have gotten from door handles or other surfaces to your eyes, nose or mouth. Boost your immunity. Help your immune system fight off the flu with plenty of rest, exercise and healthy foods. Take this next step If you do get the flu, taking a prescription antiviral drug (ideally within two days of feeling sick) may make your illness milder and shorter. Your doctor may pre- scribe an antiviral if your age or other health problems put you at risk for serious complications from the flu. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 5 3 2 4 ways to foil the f lu 5 Generic name Brand name Approved uses Acamprosate delayed- release tablets Campral ® Alcohol dependence Buprenorphine sublingual tablets Subutex ® (quantity limitations exist) Opioid dependence Buprenorphine/naloxone film Suboxone ® (quantity limitations exist) Opioid dependence Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets Suboxone ® Opioid dependence Disulfiram tablets Antabuse ® Alcohol dependence Naloxone injection N/A Emergency treatment of opioid overdose Naloxone nasal spray Narcan ® (quantity limitations exist) Emergency treatment of opioid overdose Naltrexone tablets Revia ® Alcohol dependence, blockade of opioids Naltrexone injection Vivitrol ® Alcohol dependence, opioid dependence Medications for substance use disorder treatment and rescue on the NMHC formulary SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER A complex disease Substance use disorder is the overindulgence in or dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol and/or drugs. You may not understand why or how someone can become addicted to these substances. It’s a common misconception that those who use drugs or alcohol lack moral principles or willpower—that if people chose to, they could stop their drug use. In reality, substance use disorder is a complex disease that can happen to anyone. Quitting often takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Addictive substances change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. The good news is researchers know more than ever about how drugs and alcohol affect the brain. They have found treatments that can help people recover from substance use disorder and lead productive lives. If you can’t stop taking a drug or drinking alcohol even if you want to, or if your urge to use substances is too strong to control—even if you know it is causing harm—you might be addicted. Here are some questions to ask yourself: 1. Do you think about drugs or alcohol a lot? 2. Have you ever tried to stop or cut down on your usage but couldn’t? 3. Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in socially or have a good time without the use of drugs or alcohol? 4. Do you ever use these substances because you are upset or angry at other people? 5. Have you ever used a substance without knowing what it was or what it would do to you? 6. Have you ever taken one substance to get over the effects of another? 7. Have you ever made mistakes at a job or at school because you were using drugs or alcohol? 8. Does the thought of running out of drugs or alcohol really scare you? 9. Have you ever stolen to pay for drugs or alcohol? If the answer to some or all of these questions is yes, you might have a substance use disorder. The goal of drug or alcohol abuse treatment is to help people stop use and allow them to lead active, productive lives. The first and most important step is to ask for help. You can do this by visiting your doctor for a possible referral to treatment. Ask your doctor if he or she is comfortable talking about drug abuse screening and treatment. If not, ask for a referral to another doctor. You can also contact a substance use disorder specialist. Our provider network contains many behavioral health professionals who can direct you to the best substance use disorder care. Visit mynmhc.org/find_a_doctor.aspx . { W E L L N E S S }