Unraveling the Twin Epidemic

Talking FACS

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky

Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Season 7, Episode 24

In this episode of Talking FACS, Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, sheds light on the alarming rise in stimulant use alongside the ongoing opioid crisis, a phenomenon referred to as the "twin epidemic."

Alex discusses how stimulant use, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, has spiked nationally and in Kentucky, becoming a significant driver of overdose fatalities alongside opioids. The episode explores the complexities of drug use patterns, including the notable shift from injection to smoking as the primary route of drug administration. The conversation also touches on social perceptions around drug use and the lack of effective treatments for stimulant addiction, posing challenges for healthcare providers and communities alike.

The discussion emphasizes the integral role of the Extension in combating substance use by fostering health and wellness through improving nutrition, physical health, relationships, and finances. This episode is a call to action for community engagement in building recovery capital and addressing the root causes of addiction.

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