Knowledge Over Stigma: Alcohol & Substance Use Education

03/11/2026

02/23/2026

KRATOM: What You Should Know

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds (primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) that interact with opioid receptors in the brain.

At lower doses, kratom may produce:
• Increased energy
• Mild stimulation
• Elevated mood

At higher doses, it may produce:
• Sedation
• Pain relief
• Euphoria

Because it acts on opioid receptors, kratom can also cause:
• Nausea and constipation
• Dependence with regular use
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Increased overdose risk when mixed with other depressants

⚠️ Important: Kratom products are not FDA-approved for medical use. Products sold in stores or online are not standardized, and potency varies. Some have been found contaminated with other substances.

Harm Reduction Reminders:
• Avoid mixing with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids
• Be cautious with daily use — dependence can develop
• Stay hydrated
• Watch for signs of tolerance or withdrawal
• Seek medical care if experiencing severe symptoms

Some individuals report using kratom to manage pain or opioid withdrawal — but it is not a regulated treatment, and effects vary widely.

Education reduces harm. Shame increases risk.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, Kentucky resources are available.

— Knowledge Over Stigma
Education Only · Not Treatment or Counseling

02/23/2026

CYCLOPHINE: What You Should Know

Cyclorphine (sometimes spelled “cyclorphine”) is a synthetic opioid compound that is not approved for medical use in the United States. It has been discussed in research settings because of its strong activity at opioid receptors — meaning it can produce opioid-like effects.

Because of how it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, cyclorphine has the potential to cause:

• Sedation
• Euphoria
• Respiratory depression
• Physical dependence
• Overdose risk

Like other potent opioids, substances in this category can suppress breathing — especially when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other depressants. Mixing substances significantly increases overdose risk.

⚠️ Important: Unregulated or research chemicals marketed online may not contain what they claim. Potency can vary, and contamination is common.

Harm Reduction Reminders:
• Never use alone
• Carry naloxone
• Avoid mixing with alcohol or other depressants
• Start with the smallest possible amount (if someone chooses to use)
• Test supply when possible
• Know the signs of overdose: slow or no breathing, blue lips/nails, unresponsiveness

Education reduces harm. Shame increases risk.

If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid use, Kentucky resources are available. You are not alone.

— Knowledge Over Stigma
Education Only · Not Treatment or Counseling

02/21/2026

🚨 Public Safety Advisory: Cychlorphine Detected in Kentucky 🚨

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security warns that Cychlorphine, a highly potent synthetic drug approximately ten times stronger than fentanyl, has been detected in central Kentucky and is contributing to overdose deaths in neighboring regions, including eastern Tennessee.

This substance is frequently mixed with other illegal narcotics, placing users at extreme risk of unintentional exposure. Its presence is expected to expand to additional areas within the Commonwealth.

Advisory for First Responders, Healthcare Providers, and Law Enforcement Personnel:

* Exercise extreme caution when handling any unknown or illicit substances.

* Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidental exposure.

* Treat all suspected Cychlorphine-related overdoses as medical emergencies.

* Immediately report any confirmed or suspected cases to local public safety authorities.

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security urges the public to remain vigilant, avoid contact with unknown substances, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

02/09/2026

People think depression means being sad all the time.

Crying. Breaking. Obvious pain.

But sometimes it’s quieter than that.

Sometimes it feels like being stuck in an in-between space,
the world keeps moving, people keep talking, life keeps happening…
and you’re just there.

Not really thinking.
Not really feeling.

Everything feels muted, like the volume on life has been turned down.
You don’t react much, not because you don’t care,
but because caring feels out of reach.

Nothing holds your attention.
Things that once mattered pass by without leaving a mark.
It’s not sadness.

It’s numbness.

You still exist.
You still function.
But it feels like you’re watching yourself live from a distance.

And that’s what most people don’t understand,
because numbness doesn’t look dramatic,
but carrying that emptiness every day is exhausting.

02/07/2026

Winter, Mood, and Risk: Let’s Talk About What’s Going On

We’ve seen an increase in DUI’s in our community lately, and it’s important to talk about why this may be happening — without shame or blame.

Big winter storms, limited daylight, and isolation can all contribute to depression and seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder). When mood drops, energy drops, and coping skills feel harder to access, the brain naturally looks for fast relief. For some people, that can mean stronger cravings or urges to use alcohol or other substances.

Add in:
• disrupted routines
• poor sleep
• stress and loneliness
• weather that limits movement and social connection

…and decision-making can become impaired more easily than we realize.

This isn’t about excuses — it’s about understanding risk so we can reduce harm.

🧠 A few harm-reduction reminders:

• Cravings are temporary, even when they feel intense
• Planning ahead (rides, staying in, checking in with someone) saves lives
• If you’ve used, don’t drive — call someone, use a ride service, or stay put
• Support and education reduce risk more than shame ever will

Knowledge helps us make safer choices — for ourselves and for others.
Let’s keep talking, learning, and looking out for one another. 💚

This group is for psychoeducation and stigma reduction only.

02/02/2026

People with ADHD have what’s called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). It’s an extreme emotional response to perceived criticism or rejection.

Your brain can’t regulate the emotional pain, so a small comment feels like a devastating attack. A minor correction feels like total failure. Someone’s tone feels like hatred.

It’s not oversensitivity. It’s not being dramatic. Your brain literally can’t modulate the intensity of that emotional response.

It’s neurological, not a character flaw.

01/27/2026

If you’re in need of supervision, shoot her a message or email!

01/17/2026

The Link We Don’t Talk About Enough 🕊️

Alcohol and substances don’t create suicidal thoughts, but they can remove the brain’s safety brakes.

Here’s a lesser-known fact:
Alcohol is a depressant and a disinhibitor. It lowers impulse control while intensifying feelings like hopelessness, shame, and emotional pain. That combination is why many su***de attempts happen during intoxication, even among people who didn’t plan to harm themselves beforehand.

Another quiet truth:
Substance use can narrow the brain’s ability to see alternatives. What feels like a temporary escape can make pain feel permanent and solutions feel invisible.

Many people who die by su***de were not trying to end their lives forever, they were trying to end how unbearable things felt in that moment.

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about understanding risk.

If you or someone you love struggles with substances and emotional pain: support matters, connection matters, and treatment works, especially when both are addressed together.

If this post hits close to home, you’re not alone.
Help is available, and talking to someone can save a life.

📞 In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

🌍 If you’re elsewhere, local crisis lines are available worldwide

Choosing to reach out is not weakness, it’s an act of courage.