Julia Kopec: “Finding ways to proactively approach substance use disorder is what I am determined to do with my life.”
By Julia Kopec
Substance use disorders are not just today’s epidemic, but an issue that will require lifelong vigilance and support. After attending the APhA Institute on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies as a Ronald L. Williams Memorial Fund scholarship recipient, I have gained the knowledge and inspiration to be an active part of the solution.
From start to finish, the APhA Institute was an eye-opening, enriching, empowering, and transformative experience. I came in with an expectation of learning new things, but I left with so much more. Above all, I gained a new sense of strength and confidence that the pharmacists of tomorrow can expand their role in the fight against substance use disorders today.
Part of the community
Even though I was anticipating some great sessions, nothing prepared me for the power and emotion of the 12-Step meetings. I had previously attended Nar-Anon meetings as an undergraduate, so I was familiar with the format. But this experience was next level.
It started off quietly enough. But then one by one, people opened up and shared their stories. The stories were sometimes very heavy and sad, sometimes funny, but always engaging and moving with an overarching message of compassion and hope that I will never forget. Suddenly I felt compelled to stand up, grab a microphone, and share.
My heart raced as I looked at a room full of faces staring back at me, but I felt a huge sense of relief and empowerment once I finished. In that instant, I knew that I wasn’t just at the APhA Institute—I now felt like I was a part of a larger community determined to lead change.
Nearly everyone in the room had been touched by addiction, whether they suffer themselves or know a loved one struggling with active disease or maintaining recovery. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, I saw the silver lining: because so many are affected, we all want to be a part of the solution. In this sense, what I learned at the APhA Institute was nothing short of transformative.
The wave of emotions shared in the meetings—experience, strength, and hope—fueled our passion, especially when discussing how pharmacists and student pharmacists can make a difference.
I also gained a deeper understanding of the 12-Step program and the effectiveness of its reversed strategy—change your actions so that your thinking can change.
Renewed optimism
On the patient care side, I learned some helpful techniques to intervene on a patient who is at risk for substance abuse, without being judgmental. I picked up some interesting knowledge about the biology of the disease, including the fact that dopamine induces liking, endorphins induce wanting, and a lack of dynorphins induce craving. One of my main goals was also achieved. I gained new insight that will help us to make my chapter’s Generation Rx events more successful in terms of engagement and involvement, along with great ideas for activities and materials.
For me, the most engaging sessions were the ones about medication-assisted treatment and expanding access to naloxone in community pharmacies to help prevent overdose deaths. Another captivating session covered the implications of medical marijuana in the practice of pharmacy, and the pharmacist’s role in this emerging therapy. These are all new tools for the pharmacists’ ever-expanding toolbox.
Looking ahead, future pharmacists have the remarkable privilege to become agents of positive change in people’s lives, and the APhA Institute provides the knowledge and tools needed to take part in this charge.
The disease of addiction is no longer just something that happened in my life. Finding ways to proactively approach substance use disorder is what I am determined to do with my life. While it is a deadly, daunting, and complicated disease, my experience at the APhA Institute renewed my optimism and hope that we can successfully address this crisis together as a profession, with education, collaboration, compassion, resources, and action.