Code Orange: the Drug User You Didn't Notice
drugs, drug use, pain, suicide, stigma, abuse, abstinence, housing, work, medical profession, trucking, drug tests, pain clinic, fentanyl, drug poisoning, chronic pain, medical stigma Kelly Allard drugs, drug use, pain, suicide, stigma, abuse, abstinence, housing, work, medical profession, trucking, drug tests, pain clinic, fentanyl, drug poisoning, chronic pain, medical stigma Kelly Allard

Code Orange: the Drug User You Didn't Notice

Trigger Warning: This piece mentions chronic pain, long-term opioid use, overdose, drug poisoning, near-death experiences, medical stigma, and suicide. Many people think in order to get housing, people should be abstinent… It’s not about the drugs; it’s about the pain…You cannot expect anybody to reduce or stop their substance use until their pain is addressed.

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My Boobs Had Their Close-Up (And So Should Yours)
mammograms, womens health, early detection, breast cancer screening Kelly Allard mammograms, womens health, early detection, breast cancer screening Kelly Allard

My Boobs Had Their Close-Up (And So Should Yours)

A special thank you to BGSA Radiology for graciously allowing me to document my mammogram experience. I'm especially grateful to the technician who was such a good sport about having her work photographed - she handled it with professionalism, patience, and a great sense of humor.

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