Resources

COVID-19 Resources
WV Treatment Locator
Help4WV
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
WV 2-1-1
Online Recovery Meetings
NA/AA Near Me
SMART Recovery
Celebrate Recovery
Jobs & Hope WV
WV Hire Application
MU CORE Application
WV Medicaid Application
WV WIC Application
SNAP Application
Emergency Housing Resources
WV DMV
Social Security Card Application
GED/TASC Info
Family Planning Near Me
Family Resource Networks
WV Overdose Data Dashboard
WV SUD Response Plan 2020-2022
Naloxone FAQ
Changing the Narrative Resources

Identifying Substance Use Disorder

  • Continuing to use the substance, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life including physical or psychological harm.
  • Feeling that you have to use the substance regularly, daily or even several times a day, or having intense urges for the substance to block out other thoughts.
  • Over time, needing more of the substance to get the same effect and making certain that you maintain a supply of the substance.
  • Doing things to get the substance that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing.
  • Failing in your attempts to stop using the substance.
  • Feeling bad, not just feeling the original pain, when you attempt to stop taking the substance.

If you are unsure whether you have a substance use issue, seek help from a trained professional or visit a physician.

Overdose Risks

  • Tolerance drops within a few days and puts an individual at greater risk for overdose (OD). This is why those who restart using opioids after a break are almost 10 times more likely to die from OD.
  • Using opioids with alcohol, sedating drugs, or upper medications. Combining any of these increases the risk of OD.
  • Any heroin or drug purchased on the street increases the risk of OD, due to unknown purity and contaminants.
  • Using long-acting opioids (like methadone) or powerful opioids (like fentanyl) increases the risk of OD.
  • Having a heart or lung disease and using opioid increases the risk of OD

Reducing Harm from Infectious Disease

The best way to reduce the risk of disease and infection is to stop injecting drugs. Harm reduction clinics are a great place to find resources in your local area. Please check with your local health department to see what is offered.

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV are diagnosed by your symptoms, a physical exam and blood tests. If you think you have been exposed to hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, your local health department can do a simple blood test
and help you find treatment. If you don’t have the disease, the health department often can provide vaccines or medication to prevent you from contracting these diseases.

High risk activities that spread these infectious diseases are:

  • Sharing needles, syringes, spoons/cookers, cottons, ties or other equipment to prepare or inject drugs
  • Getting stuck by a needle someone else has used
  • Unsanitary tattooing