About Your Presenter

Tom Wilson LCPC, CPSCertified Prevention Specialist

Substance Abuse Informatics

CEO

Tom Wilson Counseling Center

Boise, Idaho

www.tomwilsoncounseling.com

Using Web Based Applications

For Substance Abuse Prevention

Objectives

To identify the strategies of substance abuse prevention

To understand the advantages and disadvantages of web-based prevention education

To understand what type of content is appropriate for online delivery

Definition of Prevention

To deter the onset

of alcohol or other drug abuse by

providing

individuals with the

information and skills necessary

to prevent the problem. 

Importance of Early Prevention

“…It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men...”

Frederick Douglass

Theory of Prevention

Drug abuse can be prevented if:

Risk factors in a population are identified and reduced

Protective factors are identified and strengthened

Substance Abuse Prevention Principles

Prevention programs should: address all forms of drug abuse

address the type of drug abuse in the community

be tailored to address risks specific to population to strengthen effectiveness

Principles for Delivery

Evidence Based Prevention Programs: should be adapted for local use

should retain core elements of the original research-based intervention

should be interactive as possible

CSAP Strategies

Prevention Education (2-Way Education

Programs) Information Dissemination (Media

Campaigns, 1-Way) Alternate Activities (Drug Free Events) Community Based Process (Coalitions) Environmental (Law Enforcement) Problem Identification and Referral (DUI

Education, EAPs, SAPs, Screening)

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Tom Wilson Counseling Center specializes in providing alcohol and drug abuse prevention education services for forensic (court–ordered) clients.

Majority of clients are young adults charged with DUI or illegal consumption and do not meet criteria for substance abuse or dependence.

Challenges Of In-Person ClassesTraditional classes are difficult for clients

who: travel for work or have no

transportation live in geographically remote areashave child/family obligationsare in the militaryare disabled or suffer from social

anxiety

Why Adopt Technology?

Information technology is now an effective way to deliver health information/content.

Cost has dropped dramatically (open source movement, cloud technology)

Access to well designed applications has increased dramatically

Advantages of Online Learning

Self-paced learning can take place anywhere, anytime.

Accessible to all learners, regardless disability, location or learning schedule.

Teachers can use creative teaching methods in delivering material.

Disadvantages of Online Learning

Requires computer, internet access, and some computer literacy.

Limitations like real world simulations, and labs.

Does not work well for some learning styles, group interaction and subjects.

Program Design

Evidence Based Components

Motivational Enhancement

Non confrontational intervention

Begins with self-assessment

Personalized feedback report on pattern of use

Feedback includes normative comparison of results

Stages of Change

Introduce the Stages of Change

Introduce examples of stages

Identify what activities help a person move from one stage to the next

Stages of Change Activities

What stage am I in?

Readiness to Change Example

Decisional Balance - Benefits vs. Costs of Change

Sample Lesson Process

Example of Feedback Your Response:

You told us you drink 8-14 drinks per week on average when you drink.

Based on your response, you fell in the category described in the yellow box to the right.

You

Example of Calculation Exercise

Your typical blood alcohol content is the amount of alcohol in your blood on atypical day when you drink.

To calculate your typical BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) use the online BAC calculator provided.

Online BAC Calculator

Feedback for Typical Drinking BACs

Your response:

You calculated your BACs for a typical drinking occasion as falling between .06 to .10.

At BAC Levels of .06-.10, you will have impairment of muscle coordination and a slower reaction time, and disregard for personal safety.

Sample Lesson Page

Binge Drinking

• Is defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days.

• Health, social and academic problems occur when men drink 5 or more drinks per occasion, and women drink 4 or more per occasion.

• Binge drinking is the most common pattern among underage drinkers.

• Less than 25% of persons aged 12 or older participated in binge drinking

Click for Review Question

Other Mediums of Delivery

Using Text Messaging as an Intervention “In a recent study, Text-Messaging to

Emergency Patients Reduced Their Alcohol Consumption”

• 12 week trial of receiving automated text messaging asking about drinking

• Men who had 5 + and women 4+ received text messaging of concern about level of use

• Asked if they would cut down.• + for yes, ask for reconsider for no

Other Mediums of Delivery

2. Online Assessment and Feedback with “E-checkup to Go” for freshman at universities

3. Online Assessment and Feedback with “Brief Assessment and Intervention for College Students”

Conclusions

• The tools of information and computer technology are being used to prevent the onset of substance abuse.

• The tools are continually becoming more accessible to professionals.

• Some evidenced-based programs can be adapted for electronic delivery, saving scarce resources.

Contact Information

Tom Wilson, LCPC, CPS 514 So. Orchard St. Suite 101

Boise, ID. 83705

Office: 1-208-368-9909

http://www.tomwilsoncounseling.com

twilson@tomwilsoncounseling.com