Taylor Knopf

How addiction recovery specialists adapted during COVID-19 pandemic

May 20, 2020 by Taylor Knopf 5 Comments

How addiction recovery specialists adapted during COVID-19 pandemic - North Carolina Health News

While some addiction service providers have been forced to cut programs, others have adjusted to the pandemic changes to assist people using drugs and those in early addiction recovery.

By Taylor Knopf In his 20 years at Healing Transitions, Chris Budnick has never turned away someone seeking help. But in late March after three false-positive tests for COVID-19 at the residential addiction recovery program in Raleigh, the program director made the tough call to stop all new admissions to the campuses and overnight detox. […]

a montage of all the stressors and things to remember as people attempt to cope with covid-19

Managing mental health during COVID-19

May 8, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Managing mental health during COVID-19 - North Carolina Health News

Healthy coping skills, mental health resources can ease the pain of physical distance during the pandemic.

By Taylor Knopf North Carolinians will be living in a state of uncertainty a little longer. This week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a modified “stay home” order that extends to May 22 which looks very similar to the original order with a few exceptions. It’s clear that our lives will not return to normal anytime […]

NC Correctional Institution for Women entrance

Wonder what prison is like during COVID-19? These prisoners take us inside.

April 30, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Wonder what prison is like during COVID-19? These prisoners take us inside. - North Carolina Health News

One woman was released early, but could not get tested in prison. Now she’s so sick with the virus that she’s been hospitalized.

By Taylor Knopf Nacola Williams was released early from North Carolina’s state prison system as part of an effort to reduce exposure to COVID-19 in a confined space where the contagious virus can spread quickly from inmate to inmate. Her age, 52, plus high blood pressure put Williams in the high-risk category for COVID-19 complications, […]

A mural reading 'hope' and 'patience' in a gym at Emerald School of Excellence, the state's first recovery high school

During the coronavirus pandemic, recovery support moves online

April 15, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

During the coronavirus pandemic, recovery support moves online - North Carolina Health News

There are several free resources during the COVID-19 pandemic for people who are used to attending regular meetings to support their mental health or substance use recovery.

By Taylor Knopf As 9 p.m. approaches, a Zoom meeting screen fills with several grids of 168 faces, all ages and races represented. A middle-aged African-American woman sits at a desk and pulls out a notebook and pen. A young white woman rolls out dough on her kitchen counter. An older white man sits still […]

An African American man in a suit speaks to the podium, he is Erik Hooks of DPS and he's talking about releasing inmates from NC prisons early because of COVID-19 at a briefing.

NC prisons begin early release for some inmates

April 14, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

NC prisons begin early release for some inmates - North Carolina Health News

Fewer inmates will be sleeping in prison beds as the Department of Public Safety begins early release for certain eligible inmates to reduce the prison population and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

By Taylor Knopf State prison officials are reviewing early release for certain, nonviolent inmates who are considered high-risk for COVID-19 complications and those who are already scheduled to be released in 2020. The Department of Public Safety released six inmates under these new criteria and is considering about 500 more. The six released so far […]

Door to a unit inside a jail. Jail suicides and overdoses are on the rise across the state. The counties may not have enough resources to fight COVID-19.

NC governor to sheriffs: No extra state COVID-19 resources available for jail inmates

March 28, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

NC governor to sheriffs: No extra state COVID-19 resources available for jail inmates - North Carolina Health News

In a conference call with Gov. Roy Cooper, NC sheriffs asked about medical assistance for possible jail inmates with COVID-19. Cooper couldn’t provide them with much.

By Taylor Knopf North Carolina has 100 counties each with their own sheriff and jail system, meaning there are 100 different responses to the COVID-19 pandemic for jail inmates across the state. On Tuesday, North Carolina’s sheriffs joined Gov. Roy Cooper on a conference call with questions about what to do if the virus is […]

mental health worker carries large box with paper bags in it. She is a worker at Club Nova, which helps people with mental health needs.

Mental health providers need flexibility during COVID-19, the state’s making it happen

March 26, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Mental health providers need flexibility during COVID-19, the state’s making it happen - North Carolina Health News

During this unusually stressful time, mental health providers need to support their patients in nontraditional ways and get paid for it. State health officials are responding with emergency policies and funds.

By Taylor Knopf Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many community institutions are making the difficult decision to close their doors. This includes Club Nova, an accredited clubhouse in Carrboro for adults with severe mental illnesses. It’s a place where more than 100 community members gather to socialize, eat lunch, build life skills and find job […]

woman walks down sidewalk with the help of a walker. She has chronic pain

A doctor’s tweet, a mother’s complaint, a loss for chronic pain patients.

March 10, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

A doctor’s tweet, a mother’s complaint, a loss for chronic pain patients. - North Carolina Health News

An outspoken doctor loses his ability to prescribe opioids after the state medical board launched an investigation into his practice, which only takes complex cases of chronic pain.

By Taylor Knopf For Courtney Cates, pain medication is the difference between taking short walks or staying in bed. It’s the difference between talking with her 8-year-old son or passing him notes. Cates, 37, suffers from chronic pain in her back, leg and jaw resulting from car accidents, failed surgeries and a painful jaw disease. […]

shows an inmate in a orange jail jumpsuit and handcuffs behind a bottle labeled methadone, an opioid use disorder drug that can help reduce cravings.

For some opioid users in NC, jail doesn’t mean detox

February 25, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

For some opioid users in NC, jail doesn’t mean detox - North Carolina Health News

To prevent overdose deaths, some counties are allowing inmates to continue medication-assisted treatment.

Taylor Knopf For most people using substances, time in jail means forced detox. This is also true for those trying to improve their lives with opioid addiction programs, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). More and more North Carolinians are entering these MAT programs, where they receive daily doses of drugs, such as methadone or buprenorphine […]

shows a soldier with his head in his hands, used to represent post traumatic stress disorder / PTSD

Latest NC research finds potential new treatment for PTSD

January 14, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Latest NC research finds potential new treatment for PTSD - North Carolina Health News

Researchers are waiting on two more grants to further study the effects of stellate ganglion block treatment for PTSD patients.

By Taylor Knopf A procedure historically used to treat pain could also be used to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a recent clinical study by Research Triangle Park-based RTI International. Researchers found that a treatment called stellate ganglion block (SGB) improved symptoms of PTSD in their study participants. The treatment involves an […]

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