Latest news with #Shatterproof
Health Line
3 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
How to Take Care of Your Nose After Snorting Cocaine
There are several ways to care for your nose after snorting cocaine. A common option is to apply petroleum jelly to the edge of your nostril to relieve and protect your skin and nasal cavity. Looking for ways to soothe an irritated nose after snorting cocaine? You probably already have one solution in your medicine cabinet: Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly can help protect skin and lock in moisture. It's also free from added ingredients that can cause irritation. When using it on your nose, you want to be sure you apply it correctly. Here's a look at how to apply petroleum jelly to your nose, other techniques you can try for relief, and why cocaine irritates your nose in the first place. Healthline does not endorse the illegal use of any substances. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using them. If you're concerned about your drug use, there's help available. You can bring it up with a healthcare professional if you feel comfortable. Or reach out to one of the following free and confidential resources: SAMHSA's National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or online treatment locator SAFE Project Shatterproof Apply petroleum jelly Try putting a small amount of petroleum jelly on your finger and apply a thin layer around the edge of your nostril. You can also apply a small amount just inside your nose, but avoid going any deeper. When inhaled, petroleum jelly may lead to something called lipid pneumonia. It's not clear how common this is, but applying it only to the edge of your nose should avoid this risk. A note on timing, though: You'll want to avoid applying petroleum jelly right before snorting anything. The powder will get stuck and become unusable. Other things to try In addition to applying petroleum jelly to the edge of your nostril, there are a few other things you can do to soothe your nose and prevent irritation. Use a saline rinse When you snort cocaine, it sits on the lining of your nasal cavity for several minutes, so doing a simple rinse can go a long way. You can pick up saline nasal rinses at any drug or grocery store. They're usually called saline nasal rinse, saline nasal mist, saline nasal spray, or saline nasal irrigation. Avoid sprays that have other ingredients besides saline (like Afrin or Nasacort). After snorting, use a few pumps of the saline rinse to wash the lingering cocaine off your nasal mucosa. Keep a tissue handy to pat the skin around your nose dry — wet skin is more likely to get irritated. Follow up with some petroleum jelly for added protection. Alternate nostrils If you're able, alternate your nostrils each time you snort. This gives each side as much time as possible to heal and rest. Cocaine causes abrasion as it's pulled through the lining of your nose, and, if you're using something with rough edges to snort, it can also cause abrasion (more on this in a moment). Give your nostrils as much down time as you can. Don't share snorting tools An infection that settles into a wound or area of irritated nasal cavity can take some time to heal, resulting in ongoing discomfort and pain in your nose. To avoid infection, practice basic hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling drugs. Most importantly, use clean, unshared snorting tools. Certain bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), love to live in the nose and can be easily spread by sharing tools. It's also possible for bloodborne viruses, like hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV, to pass from person to person if a tool is contaminated with blood and another person has an open wound or area of irritation in their nose. Why does cocaine irritate your nose, anyway? If you're looking for ways to take care of your nose, it's helpful to understand why cocaine causes irritation. The lining inside the nose is thin and delicate What lines the inside of your nose isn't the same tough, dry skin that covers the rest of your body. Your nose isn't filled with skin, but rather with nasal mucosa, which is a different kind of tissue. The part closest to your nostrils is the thickest, but as you move back toward your throat, it gets thinner and more delicate. This is why some people experience nosebleeds after snorting drugs. Cocaine is often acidic There's a difference between the chemical properties of a drug made in a sterile lab and those of a sample of a drug purchased from a drug seller. While reference materials typically list cocaine as having a fairly neutral pH, samples taken from drug sellers often test as acidic. This is probably due to how the cocaine was made and potential contaminants that were mixed in during the process. Acids irritate you nasal mucous, and disrupt its ability to keep foreign particles from entering your body Snorting can rough up the inside of the nose Snorting can be done in a few different ways, but it often involves inserting something into the nostril, like a dollar bill or a cut piece of drinking straw. Also, the act of sucking the powder into your nose means pulling small crystals across your nasal mucosa. This alone can be irritating to the delicate lining of the nose all by itself, since the edges of those crystals are rough. Cocaine slows down blood flow Cocaine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes blood vessels tighten and narrow. Tighter blood vessels mean less blood flow. Imagine a garden hose suddenly gets a lot narrower. The water would have a harder time coming out. Why does this matter? Well, your body's tissues need plenty of blood flow to heal. Blood brings oxygen to feed cells and the building blocks to repair wounds. When you snort cocaine, you reduce the amount of blood flow to your nasal lining. If the lining then gets damaged or irritated, the reduced blood flow makes the healing process lengthier and a little more difficult. You don't always know what you're snorting You've probably heard about the opioid overdose epidemic. The main contributor is unpredictable contamination of the drug supply with substances people aren't aware of, including fentanyl, a powerful opioid, and etizolam, a benzodiazepine that slows breathing and causes sedation. This issue with contamination applies to cocaine, too. This is important for two reasons: It exposes people to a greater risk of overdose, and it means there could be substances in the cocaine that make it extra irritating to your nose. Safety tips Speaking of contamination, there are things you can do to protect yourself and others from experiencing an overdose or drug poisoning. Again, this can happen even if you aren't using opioids. Fentanyl and etizolam, along with other contaminants, are increasingly showing up in cocaine. Here are some simple, but high-impact, steps to take to be prepared for a drug overdose or poisoning: Carry naloxone. Have naloxone on hand, and make sure that everyone you use drugs with knows how and when to use it, and where it's kept. Think of it like a fire extinguisher: If people don't know where it is and how to use it, it won't be of much use during a fire. Test it. Drug testing in the United States isn't very accessible for legal and policy reasons, but if you can access mass spectrometry or infrared spectrometry testing in your area, this is the best option. If not, see if you can get testing strips for fentanyl or benzodiazepines near you. You can also get reagent test kits from sites like DanceSafe. These take some time to learn and use, but they offer a lot of information. Have a buddy. Don't use drugs alone. Have a friend or loved one with you. If an in-person option isn't possible, try a virtual one, like FaceTime or Zoom. And, if that's not possible, try the free Never Use Alone hotline at 800-484-3731. They only need your physical location in case they need to send emergency medical services, but, otherwise, it's completely anonymous and confidential. Know the signs Signs that someone might be experiencing an overdose include: slow or ragged breathing a loud, rattling snoring sound when breathing constricted pupils pale or clammy skin that's cool to the touch (People with dark skin may look washed-out or ashen rather than pale.) blue or gray fingertips nausea, vomiting, or both dozing off, even as you try to keep them awake Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if you think someone's experiencing an overdose. Worried about legal consequences? This guide can help.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
A Founder, A Doctor, And The Unexpected Power Of A Good Book
If you've built something meaningful in your life, there's a good chance people will want to read ... More what you have to say. One built a multibillion-dollar restaurant empire. The other is a physician on a mission to transform how we talk about mental health. On the surface, the late Kent Taylor, founder of Texas Roadhouse, and Dr. Shahana Alibhai could not be more different. But they each made a bold decision: They put their ideas down on paper and wrote a book. And in doing so, they changed more than their careers. Taylor captured the legacy of a company. Alibhai sparked a movement and expanded her influence far beyond the clinic. 'Kent wrote the world a book,' said Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan, 'but he left our company a blueprint for our future. We encourage our Partners to read Made From Scratch (Simon & Schuster, 2021) to better understand our history, values, and principles.' That's the power of storytelling. It's more than a marketing tool, it's how leaders distill their values and vision and their lived experience into something that is lasting; something others can pick up and carry forward. And while we do live in a world of TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts, books are far from irrelevant. They are where we go to explore deep ideas, not just quick concepts. They signal credibility and depth of thought in a way few other formats can. My colleague Tasha Eurich recently sold more than 15,000 copies of her latest book, Shatterproof, in its first week of launch, a strong sign that people are absolutely still buying books … good ones, that is. Dr. Alibhai, a family doctor and mental health expert from British Columbia, calls her first book, 'a game changer.' It is titled Feel Better: How Understanding Your Emotional Palette Can Keep You From Getting Swept Away (Throne Publishing, 2024). 'The way I think about it,' she said, 'it is the world's best business card. It allows you to gift something meaningful to someone and share a small glimpse into your inner world, even with a complete stranger.' Since publishing last September, Dr. Alibhai's book has received praise from luminaries such as Mel Robbins and Marshall Goldsmith, and also led her to be invited to speak on stages around the world, including the Million Dollar Round Table in Macau. It's not just about the spotlight for the physician, but about starting a better conversation. 'When people read the book,' she says, 'they don't just hear my story. They start to reflect on their own.' And, she says, it's become a vehicle for giving back, enabling her to raise funds for mental health causes that matter deeply to her. In short, Taylor's book became part of his legacy, Alibhai's became a launchpad. Both created ripple effects. That's the real power of authorship. For business leaders and other experts, publishing shouldn't be about chasing bestseller lists but about clarifying what you stand for: your beliefs, your approach, your unique way of solving problems. Of course, that doesn't stop people from asking me, 'So, how do I hit a bestseller list?' I usually start here: 'Write a really good book.' (I know, groundbreaking advice.) But it's true: when the book is well-crafted and genuinely useful, it can unlock doors to all the things they want, like media coverage, keynote stages, and yes, more clients. A badly written book? That's just an expensive paperweight. Here are three things I've seen make the biggest difference when leaders set out to write their story: 1. First, Clarify Your Purpose Before you write a word, get clear on the 'job' you want your book to do for readers. Is it meant to spark personal transformation? Help future leaders understand your company's values and culture (like Taylor did with Made From Scratch)? Or will it provide practical guidance for businesspeople facing challenges similar to yours? When you focus on the difference the book can make for others, you clarify your message and make it far more powerful. When you write with the reader in mind, your message becomes sharper and your impact greater. Also, once you're clear on your objective and audience, you can make smarter decisions about what the book can do for you--perhaps build your business or leave a legacy. And it will help you set tone, structure, and publishing path. A well-known business founder writing a values-based leadership memoir will take a very different approach from an executive coach aiming to share her philosophy and grow a practice. Both can be highly effective, but only when their purpose is clear from the start. 2. Think Long-Term, Not Just Launch The most successful authors treat their books as a long-term asset. A splashy launch week is nice, but more effective is planning to use the book to support your work over the next five, 10, or 20 years. For Texas Roadhouse, Made From Scratch has become required reading for new employees, who they call Roadies. Says CEO Morgan, 'As we think about the next 30 years, we think it's important for current and future Roadies to study the early pioneers who built the foundation of our company.' For Dr. Alibhai, Feel Better has become the bridge to connect her personal story with a broader mission to destigmatize emotional health. 3. Don't Write It Alone Many thought leaders or entrepreneurs have an incredible story or framework to share, but they get stalled for years by the enormity of writing a full-length book. That's where a collaborative writing partner or ghostwriter can be invaluable. Dr. Alibhai is quick to acknowledge this. 'When you are trying to achieve a wildly important or seemingly impossible goal, having a coach, connector, and mentor is important. I was fortunate to have someone who helped me write as well as coach me through the process of writing. I also found someone who could connect me to others in the world of publishing and, most importantly, I was able to find someone who could serve as a sounding board along the way.' Sometimes, you'll find all those roles in one person. More often, it might take a small team. But trying to go it alone can lead to years of delay, or worse, a book that doesn't land. Here's what it comes down to: You don't have to be a celebrity CEO or famous influencer to write a book that matters. What you do need is the conviction that your principles are worth sharing. Don't let perfectionism or self-doubt keep your story on the shelf.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Shatterproof Statement on SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health Staffing Cuts
NORWALK, Conn., April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) responsible for conducting the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were impacted by the recent reduction in force within HHS and its component agencies. There is reason to be concerned that these changes will impede the public's ability to access important data from this survey that has been ongoing since 1971. NSDUH provides valuable insights annually on the scope of the problem of drug use in the United States, including the types of substances used, treatments engaged, and payors involved in paying for that treatment. This data informs policymakers and market participants on unmet needs and solutions to address addiction. Nearly 49 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use disorder (SUD) within the past year, and the NSDUH is an invaluable source of nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs and the trends and challenges driving the addiction crisis in the U.S. HHS Secretary Kennedy and Congress have made addressing addiction a priority, and it is essential that we have a robust, best-practice national survey to inform substance use policy and treatment resources. Ideally, this should include the publication of the forthcoming NSDUH 2024 data without interruption. This will enable Congress and state and local governments to make evidence-informed decisions in the fight against addiction – one of our nation's most pressing public health challenges that take the lives of nearly 250 people a day. 'Without this single, historic measure of U.S substance use and misuse, we lose our ONLY way to monitor and manage problems that seriously affect the entire population,' said Thomas McLellan, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Shatterproof Scientific Advisor. 'America cannot be great if it continues to suffer from substance use disorder - and without NSDUH we will lose our major monitoring and management tool.' As one of the leading national nonprofits focused on helping people navigate the complexities of SUD, Shatterproof urges the Trump Administration and Congress to make publication of the NSDUH a very timely priority. About Shatterproof Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the addiction treatment system in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding society, especially families, through the complexities of a substance use disorder; informing the public on prevention, treatment and recovery from addiction; and educating the public to reduce addiction stigma to ensure that people who use substances or have a substance use disorder can live healthy and fulfilled lives. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ or follow them on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit
