News - Project Neon BLOG

Vaccines Against Drug Abuse: A Viable Treatment Option?

Posted by Project NEON on May 23, 2013 5:29 PM

Vaccines Against Drug Abuse: A Viable Treatment Option?

Posted on May 22, 2013 in Research & News

The idea of vaccinating against drug abuse is hailed by many to be the future of addiction treatment, but the concept has several downsides that may hold it back. The idea is simple: a vaccination would prevent the drug from having an effect if taken, which would therefore render taking drugs pretty much useless. It obviously has a huge potential benefit for removing the appeal of commonly-abused drugs, but critics point out that it could never become the sole treatment for addiction. Understanding the mechanism of the vaccines that have been developed and their limitations helps you see how they will fit into the future of addiction treatment.

Read full article here: Vaccines Against Drug Abuse

Source: Drug Addiction Treatment http://www.drugaddictiontreatment.com/

Health News Speed

Have you looked at Your METHod?

Posted by Project NEON on May 14, 2013 10:12 AM

Have you seen NEON's 2012 publication Your METHod?

Your METHod is a recovery-based journal that features the stories, words, and art work of Seattleites.

Your METHod also includes space to write your own thoughts about use and recovery. Pick up a copy at Seattle Counseling Service, through your NEON peer educator, or download and print online here: Your METHod

Health News

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted by Project NEON on May 13, 2013 11:48 AM

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections which can lead to liver cancer. Millions of Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis, and many do not know they are infected.

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis is leading a national campaign called Know More Hepatitis. The initiative aims increase awareness about this hidden epidemic and encouraging people born from 1945-1965 to get tested for Hepatitis C.

Read the full article: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HEPAwarenessMonth.htm

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov

Health

One less thing to think about.

Posted by Project NEON on May 9, 2013 3:14 PM

Text NEONtest to 877877. You'll get a FREE text every 3 months with a reminder to test for HIV and other STIs.

Text NEONinfo to 877877 to get FREE periodic tips about safer sex and safer use, NEON event notifications, and other health info.

Free image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Health

Telling Others You're HIV Positive: How'd You Do It?

Posted by Project NEON on May 9, 2013 10:07 AM

Posted on TheBody.com

For many gay men who have gone through the process of coming out as gay to themselves, their families and loved ones, telling others they're HIV positive is like coming out all over again. Read stories and tips from HIV-positive gay men who've grappled with the question: How Do You Decide When to Share With Others That You're HIV Positive?

Read the full article here: Telling Others You're HIV Positive

Source: TheBody.com

Health Sex

Chains & Whips Excite Me

Posted by Project NEON on April 26, 2013 12:04 PM

Coming soon: Dr. Dick's 3-part article on BDSM 101.

Health News

Meningitis Update---Seattle Area

Posted by Project NEON on April 24, 2013 9:59 AM

Been hearing some buzz about meningitis? Here's an update for folks living in the Seattle area.

Meningitis Fact Sheet.pdf

Health Sex

Talking About Boys and Toys

Posted by Project NEON on April 23, 2013 11:12 AM

Today at our NEON peer educator meeting, we have Shannon Solie talking about boys and toys. Shannon is a masters-level intern at SCS, and a sexuality educator at Babeland.

See what you're missing?

Health

EAT WELL

Posted by Project NEON on April 23, 2013 10:10 AM

Check out these super helpful nutrition tip-sheets by GMHC.

Eat Well

Source: GMHC http://www.gmhc.org/

Health

Op-ed: I Am HIV-Positive and So Can You!

Posted by Project NEON on April 22, 2013 7:34 PM

Op-ed: I am HIV-Positive and So Can You!

Finding your way back to confidence, no matter what cards you are dealt

By Tyler Curry, Advocate.com, April 19, 2013

Now before we begin, you can go ahead and unravel that tight wad your panties have wound themselves into. This is not an article intended to promote the transmission of HIV and in no way is it meant to glamorize HIV/AIDS. Is it even possible to glamorize such an abysmal disease? I think not. But I have noticed that when an HIV-positive man takes a public stance without the "woe is me" pretense, that is the general dissent. To glamorize HIV would be like trying to Photoshop a picture of the Holocaust. No matter how you manipulate it, the ugliness remains. However, I am not HIV itself, and its time that people who are HIV-positive stop wearing the face of the virus as if it was their own.

Sometimes life can deal you a hand that can make you feel like you will never win. Being diagnosed with HIV is just one example. But unlike some other unfavorable traits that we carry in our deck, being HIV-positive can seem like the only card you have to play.

When I was diagnosed with HIV, all the characteristics that assemble the person who I am, both good and bad, suddenly seemed to fall to the floor. For months, it felt as if I was clutching this new card with an ugly plus sign close to my chest. The game of life continued, yet I found myself willingly sitting on the sidelines and forgoing any chance at making a play for happiness.

The worst part of HIV stigma is that it always starts from within. No matter what your background or level of HIV education, a positive diagnosis can send even the most self-assured into a tailspin of self-doubt. After I learned I was HIV-positive, I immediately began to see my reflection differently. My interaction with friends and strangers alike had a new sense of reticence. I vexed over the opinions of people that weren't even real, yet they seeped into every pore. I assumed everyone would see me differently, because that was how I viewed myself.

Read full post here: I am HIV positive and so can you

Source: The Advocate, advocate.com

Recently in Health Category

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections which can lead to liver cancer. Millions of Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis, and many do not know they are infected.