Published on Oct 25, 2023 | 2:32 PM
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What Is Red Ribbon Week?
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug and alcohol prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States, typically during the last week of October. It is designed to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles among children, adolescents, families, and communities.
The campaign encourages education, open conversation, and community involvement around substance use prevention, with a strong emphasis on youth awareness and early intervention.
Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 following the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed while investigating drug trafficking. In response, communities started wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice and to symbolize a commitment to living drug-free.
What started as a grassroots movement grew into the largest drug prevention campaign in the United States, supported by schools, families, healthcare organizations, and community groups nationwide.
The red ribbon serves as a visible symbol of:
Awareness of substance misuse and its impact
Commitment to healthy, drug-free choices
Support for prevention education and community responsibility
Wearing a red ribbon represents a personal and collective pledge to make safe, healthy decisions.
Substance use often begins during adolescence, making early education and prevention critical. Red Ribbon Week provides an opportunity to start age-appropriate conversations about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and decision-making.
Research consistently shows that prevention programs focused on education, family involvement, and skill-building can reduce risky behaviors and support long-term health outcomes.
Red Ribbon Week is observed by:
Schools and educators
Students of all ages
Parents and families
Community organizations
Healthcare providers
Activities may include school assemblies, classroom discussions, themed spirit days, educational materials, and community events focused on prevention and wellness.
Healthcare providers play an important role in substance use prevention by offering education, screening, and early support. Routine conversations about mental health, stress, and coping strategies help identify risk factors before substance misuse develops.
Access to confidential medical guidance also reduces stigma and encourages individuals and families to seek help when concerns arise.
Call-On-Doc supports prevention and education by providing accessible, judgment-free healthcare for individuals and families.
Through telehealth, patients can:
Discuss concerns about substance use or mental health
Receive screening and education
Access care early without barriers or stigma
Healthcare that fits your life — not your calendar.
updated 01/26/2026 Shelly House, FNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Call-On-Doc’s trusted medical education voice. With extensive experience in telehealth and patient-centered care, Ms. House is dedicated to making complex health topics simple and accessible. Through evidence-based content, provider collaboration, and a passion for empowering patients, her mission is to break down barriers to healthcare by delivering clear, compassionate, and practical medical guidance.
Microdosing GLP-1s: Why the First Month Often Feels Subtle (and Why That’s a Good Sign)
When people begin GLP-1 therapy, many expect something dramatic.
They expect:
Immediate appetite suppression
Rapid weight loss
A noticeable physical shift within weeks
So when the first month feels quiet — even underwhelming — doubt can creep in.
“Is this working?”
“Shouldn’t I feel something stronger?”
“Why hasn’t the scale changed much?”
From a physiological standpoint, the first month of GLP-1 microdosing is rarely about dramatic weight loss. It is about metabolic regulation and neurological recalibration.
And that phase matters more than it looks.
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By mid-winter, many people notice a frustrating mental stall. Progress feels slower, motivation flattens, and even healthy routines seem to stop producing noticeable results. This experience is often described as a mental plateau — and it’s far more common in winter than most people realize.
A mental plateau does not mean you’re regressing or failing. Instead, it reflects predictable changes in how the brain regulates energy, adapts to repetition, and responds to reduced environmental input during winter months.
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By winter, many people feel mentally worn down by everyday choices. Deciding what to wear, what to eat, when to work, or how to structure the day can feel far more exhausting than it should. This experience is known as decision fatigue, and winter creates the ideal conditions for it to intensify.
Decision fatigue doesn’t reflect poor judgment or a lack of discipline. It reflects how environmental strain, reduced energy, and increased cognitive load affect the brain’s ability to make repeated decisions efficiently.
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Microdosing GLP-1s: Why the First Month Often Feels Subtle (and Why That’s a Good Sign)
When people begin GLP-1 therapy, many expect something dramatic.
They expect:
Immediate appetite suppression
Rapid weight loss
A noticeable physical shift within weeks
So when the first month feels quiet — even underwhelming — doubt can creep in.
“Is this working?”
“Shouldn’t I feel something stronger?”
“Why hasn’t the scale changed much?”
From a physiological standpoint, the first month of GLP-1 microdosing is rarely about dramatic weight loss. It is about metabolic regulation and neurological recalibration.
And that phase matters more than it looks.
Feb 18, 2026 | 3:02 PM
The Science of Mental “Plateaus” Mid-Winter
By mid-winter, many people notice a frustrating mental stall. Progress feels slower, motivation flattens, and even healthy routines seem to stop producing noticeable results. This experience is often described as a mental plateau — and it’s far more common in winter than most people realize.
A mental plateau does not mean you’re regressing or failing. Instead, it reflects predictable changes in how the brain regulates energy, adapts to repetition, and responds to reduced environmental input during winter months.
Feb 18, 2026 | 10:22 AM
How Winter Increases Decision Fatigue
By winter, many people feel mentally worn down by everyday choices. Deciding what to wear, what to eat, when to work, or how to structure the day can feel far more exhausting than it should. This experience is known as decision fatigue, and winter creates the ideal conditions for it to intensify.
Decision fatigue doesn’t reflect poor judgment or a lack of discipline. It reflects how environmental strain, reduced energy, and increased cognitive load affect the brain’s ability to make repeated decisions efficiently.
Feb 17, 2026 | 5:01 PM
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