Transcript AADAC June 2006

U of A Overview of Addictions
AADAC YOUTH SERVICES
EDMONTON
Margaret McClellan
Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission
Vision

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)
b)
c)
d)
44.5%
76.7%
83.8%
91.5%
What percentage of Alberta young
people (grades 7-12) do NOT use
alcohol?
a)
b)
c)
d)
19.3%
31%
43.7%
67.8%
What percentage of Alberta young
people (grades 7-12) do NOT use
cannabis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
35.2%
52.4%
43.7%
72.4
What percentage of Alberta young
people (grades 7-12) do NOT use
cannabis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
35.2%
52.4%
43.7%
72.4
CLASSES OF DRUGS




Uppers – Stimulants
nicotine, caffeine, crystal meth,
cocaine/crack,
Downers – Depressants
alcohol, codeine, heroin,
All-arounders – Hallucinogens
magic mushrooms, PCP, LSD, Ecstacy
Cannabis
What are the perks

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
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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


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

No use
Use
Misuse
Abuse
Dependency
Dependence

Pattern of behaviour involves:



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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)

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Age
Peer risk behaviour
Family history of substance abuse
Family discord
Disconnection from school
Signs of Substance Abuse



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
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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


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Grades
Assignments
Motivation
Behaviour
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Disruptive
Inattentive
Uncooperative
Easily upset
Paranoia
Change of friends
Anger/obscene language
Withdrawn
Memory lapses
Identifying risks con’t

Attitude



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Frequent change of
mood
Defensive
Other students are afraid
of him or her
Specific Concerns
 Talks about…

Physical symptoms

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Appears dazed/giddy
Lethargic
Unkempt appearance
Glassy/bloodshot
eyes/dark circles
Falls asleep, not alert
Unexplained bruises,
underweight
Accident prone
Risk Factors Within Life Domains
School Domain

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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

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Legal
Financial
Job/School
Social
Leisure Activities
Physical Health
Family Relationships
Emotional/ Spiritual Health
Transtheoretical Model of Change
Prochaska, DiClemente, Norcross

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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

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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

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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


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
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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 Services
12325 140 St. 423 7383

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Intake
Information Series
Outpatient
Counseling
Intensive Treatment
Program
Family Counseling
Parent Support
Group
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Detox
Residential
Treatment
Mobile Team
Prevention Team
Tobacco Reduction
Team
AADAC Youth Services

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Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Act
Guidelines for interpreting the
confidentiality and disclosure provisions
of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Act