“A renowned Buddhist teacher, yoga instructor and author who died last week in Victoria of a drug overdose.

Stone hosted seminars, retreats, conferences and workshops related to Buddhism across Canada and around the world. He also founded Toronto’s Centre of Gravity — one of the largest Buddhist communities in the country — and authored several books. 

“Michael was loved for his brilliant mind and generous heart,” a statement said. “He was loved immeasurably. He continues.”

Between January and April, 368 people died of an illicit drug overdose in the province. Fentanyl was detected in 72 per cent of those deaths, and 82 per cent of fatalities were men.

Victoria saw the third-highest number of deadly, fentanyl-related overdoses, following Vancouver and Surrey.”

I hope you are all able to seek the right help if you are struggling with mental health issues or drug addiction. There are not easy to solve problems and can be challenging for individuals and family. 

Where to get help: 

How to get treatment for heroin

Heroin is an opiate drug. Other opiate drugs include codeine, opium and morphine.

If you need treatment for addiction to heroin or another opiate drug you can either see your GP or contact your local drug treatment service.

Maintenance or detoxification (detox)?

Your key worker will help you decide between two different approaches to stopping heroin: maintenance therapy or detox.

• Maintenance therapy – this allows you to switch from heroin to a heroin substitute, such as methadone or buprenorphine. You then stay on a stable dose of the substitute.
• Detox – this allows you to switch from heroin to a heroin substitute then gradually withdraw from the substitute so that you are completely free from both.

Overdose risk after detox

Detox lowers your tolerance to heroin. Your risk of overdosing is higher if you take heroin after detoxing.

Other support for opiate addiction

You’ll be offered other help and support while you come off heroin. This may include:

• Talking therapies – you may be offered a talking therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy if you need help with anxiety or depression while you’re detoxing.
• Support groups – your key worker will give you details of local self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery.
• Support for family and carers – your key worker can organise support for people close to you who are affected by your addiction 
• Help to stay healthy – this could be anything from advice on healthy eating to tests for infections such as HIV.
• Incentives – you may be offered rewards, such as vouchers or doses of methadone to take at home, for sticking with your treatment and staying off heroin.

RIP Michael You will be missed .

Massage has also been found to help with addiction and mental help. Look out for the next blog post to find out more.