The NOCE Dose: The Opioid Crisis Unplugged is a concise and insightful podcast offering a deeper dive into the realities faced by professionals and champions combating the opioid epidemic within Nevada. Join us as we reconnect with expert panelists from our Listening Sessions, providing a behind-the-scenes look at their work and insights into the pressing issues of prevention and diversion, harm reduction, opioid use treatment, recovery, and reoccurrence prevention.
Podcast Host: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT
Bianca D. McCall, LMFT is a retired professional women’s basketball player. She is an international TED Speaker, and renowned mental health researcher and expert. Bianca is a licensed clinical therapist, with 25 years in Behavioral Health, and 12 years as a Healthcare CEO. In recent years, she has grown significantly in the digital health space, and created a first-of-its-kind social-emotional platform, designed to improve human health span.
For more than a decade, her work and research has been dedicated to psychological (mental) injury prevention and the discovery of innovations addressing existential isolation. Bianca is passionate about leading projects which promote ongoing research in mental injury prevention, integration of technologies, data analytics, and the discovery of culturally and linguistically responsive crisis interventions. Bianca represents Nevada, on national committees and namely the Suicide Prevention Resource Center; designated by SAMHSA, and Steering Committee forthe U.S. Department of Public Health and is a contributor to the National Strategies for Suicide Prevention in areas of Clinical Education, Provider Standards, and Technology. Bianca is a subject matter expert, a curriculum developer, and instructor in higher education with the Centers for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT), Region 9, housed at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Season 1
In the first season of The NOCE Dose: The Opioid Crisis Unplugged, we explore critical aspects of the opioid crisis, including identifying early signs of substance use disorder (SUD) through SBIRT techniques, shifting public perceptions with effective communication strategies, and understanding diversion programs and healthcare-judicial collaborations. We delve into harm reduction with real-world insights on fentanyl test strips, overdose preparedness, and safe medication practices, while also exploring the impact of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and integrated care approaches. Additionally, we address stigma and its impact on treatment accessibility, offering strategies for fostering recovery-friendly environments and supporting sustained recovery. Tune in for an informative journey into the opioid crisis from those making a difference on the frontlines.
