U of A Overview of Addictions

AADAC YOUTH SERVICESEDMONTON

Margaret McClellan

Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse CommissionVision

A healthy society that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol, other drugs, and gambling

Mission Making a difference in people’s lives

by assisting Albertans to achieve freedom from the harmful effects of alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT smoke cigarettes?

a) 44.5%b) 76.7%c) 83.8%d) 91.5%

What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use alcohol?

a) 19.3%b) 31%c) 43.7%d) 67.8%

What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use cannabis?

a) 35.2%b) 52.4%c) 43.7%d) 72.4

What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use cannabis?

a) 35.2%b) 52.4%c) 43.7%d) 72.4

CLASSES OF DRUGS Uppers – Stimulants

nicotine, caffeine, crystal meth, cocaine/crack,

Downers – Depressants alcohol, codeine, heroin,

All-arounders – Hallucinogensmagic mushrooms, PCP, LSD, Ecstacy

Cannabis

What are the perks Curiosity To escape To build confidence To increase energy Cope with

emotional/physical pain

Peer influence Self-medication

To be “cool” To gain a

competitive edge Change

appearance i.e lose weight

Emotional experience

Action

Continuum of Use No use Use Misuse Abuse Dependency

Dependence Pattern of behaviour involves:

Poor self-regulatory control Continues despite negative feedback Often appears out of control

Reinforcers become Strong

Addiction

“learned habits that are difficult to extinguish even in face of dramatic negative consequences”

Risk Factors Either life events or experiences

that are statistically associated with an increase in problematic behaviours such as alcohol and other drug use, and problem gambling (Hawkins, Catalano & Miller, 1992)

What are the two top risk factors for substance abuse & gambling?

1. Grade at first start and ease of access

2. Age and peer risk behaviour

3. Neighbourhood disorganization and poor mother’s support

Risk Factors (associated with substance abuse

and gambling)

Age Peer risk behaviour Family history of substance abuse Family discord Disconnection from school

Signs of Substance Abuse Changes in school performance Changes in attitudes toward sports

and activities Changes in weight or physical

appearance Changes in eating/sleeping habits Changes in friends Changes in behaviours

Identifying Students at Risk

Attendance Absent/late Excused from

class Performance

Grades Assignments Motivation

Behaviour Disruptive Inattentive Uncooperative Easily upset Paranoia Change of friends Anger/obscene

language Withdrawn Memory lapses

Identifying risks con’t Attitude

Frequent change of mood

Defensive Other students are

afraid of him or her Specific Concerns

Talks about…

Physical symptoms Appears dazed/giddy Lethargic Unkempt appearance Glassy/bloodshot

eyes/dark circles Falls asleep, not alert Unexplained bruises,

underweight Accident prone

Risk Factors Within Life DomainsSchool Domain

Academic failure Negative, disorderly, and unsafe

school climate Low teacher expectations Lack of clear school policies

regarding drug use Lack of commitment to school Withdrawn/aggressive classroom

behaviour

Major Life Areas Legal Financial Job/School Social Leisure Activities Physical Health Family Relationships Emotional/ Spiritual Health

Transtheoretical Model of ChangeProchaska, DiClemente, Norcross

Precontemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Termination

Model of Change

Stages – have specific tasks that need to be completed

Processes – create and sustain movement through stages

Context – i.e. current life situation, attitudes, beliefs, relationships, personal characteristics

Markers of Change – signposts

Protective Factors Represent the influences,

orientations and behaviours in a youth’s lives that contribute to positive development and help prevent negative behaviours and outcomes such as substance use (SAMHSA 2002p.10, )

Most Important Protective Factors

Parental monitoring Social skills (managing behaviour

choices) Availability of pro-social activities Participation in pro-social activities School connection Peer influence on decision making Positive adults/bonding

Protective factors Within Life Domains

School

Caring and supportive school environment

High expectations Clear standards and rules for

appropriate behaviour Youth participation, involvement,

and responsibility in school tasks and decisions

Resiliency A balancing of protective

factors against risk factors, and the gradual accumulation of emotional strength as children respond successfully to challenges in their families, schools and communities

Resiliency It is important to shift our focus

from looking at what is wrong to looking at and building upon adolescents’ strengths

Building resiliency means

thriving not just surviving

Strength Based Perspective Believes that everybody, every

community, every family, every individual has a fundamental knowledge of capacities and skills, of personal traits and resources that exists within them and around them, that are tools to be used in helping people move in a different direction.

Dennis Saleby

Best practices in prevention

What alcohol, drug, gambling and tobacco prevention works

best?

Good addiction prevention programming Increase protective factors

decrease risk factors Targeted Key transition points Cumulative, progressive Strength-based/best practices Run by leaders who youth see as

trustworthy experiential

Great leaders make great prevention

A Passion for People is paramount. Your positive qualities as a teacher

are an asset as you help prevent alcohol, drugs, gambling and tobacco problems.

Capture those informal prevention opportunities

AADAC Youth Services12325 140 St. 423 7383 Intake Information Series Outpatient

Counseling Intensive

Treatment Program

Family Counseling Parent Support

Group

Detox Residential

Treatment Mobile Team Prevention Team Tobacco

Reduction Team

AADAC Youth Services Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Act Guidelines for interpreting the

confidentiality and disclosure provisions of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Act