Question

In applying Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, what are the "Health Care Needs" of individuals who experience opioid overdose? What are their needs of comfort and examples of "Comforting Interventions" to address their physical/ psycho-spiritual/ environmental or socio-cultural comfort needs? (You may also discuss any "Intervening Variables" that may influence their perspectives of comfort after an overdose).

Answer 1

People who experienced sn overdose can be traumatised by the experience and benefit from a quick connection to mental health services in their community. With a warm handoff, a nurse or first responder engage with a patient to build trust, and then they connect the patient to mental health services so they continue receiving care.

RECOVERY ;

Connection to a social support network is very important to preventing usage and recovery. Recovery support services include continuing with medical care, mutual support groups and peer recovery services.

COMFORT NEEDS :

Housing:

A major factor affecting recovery is a stable housing and homelessness. Having a secure and safe place to live reduce stress and provides physical and mental comfort.

Loved ones:

Having someone who cares and to care about gives a great stress relief and mental relief for people during opioid usage recovery.

Sharing:

Social support groups and small gatherings of people facing similar problems helps in sharing their stress and provides relief from the burden they carry. When people who faced same issues are there to help one another it provides a great mental relief.

Peaceful environment:

A person undergoing recovery needs a friendly and peaceful environment away from loud noises or traffic and especially the opioids or people using drugs. This creates a big impact by keeping the mind calm and helps in speedy recovery.

Naloxone;

This drug is only used in people if they find it hard to get away from the substance or their addiction doesn't go away. Naloxone helps in deaddiction in such cases but can result in other side effects.