The Friends and Family Guide to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic: Including How to Recognize and Treat an Overdose

A practical and compassionate guide to understanding and addressing the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis in the United States continues to kill Americans at an alarming rate.Over the past two decades, annual overdose deaths have skyrocketed, growing from roughly 20,000 per year to over 100,000 per year.In this deeply informed and compassionate guide, Peter Canning shares the devastating realities of the opioid crisis from the perspective of a seasoned paramedic and advocate.This essential resource provides practical tools to recognize and respond to overdoses, access life-saving treatments like naloxone, and navigate the complex landscape of addiction and recovery.Canning humanizes the crisis through poignant stories of individuals and families grappling with the ripple effects of substance use.The book offers a broader understanding of the epidemic's roots, including the rise of fentanyl, the science of addiction, and the transformative potential of harm reduction strategies.Canning e