U of A Overview of Addictions

1. U of A Overview of Addictions AADAC YOUTH SERVICES EDMONTON Margaret McClellan

2. 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.

3. What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT smoke cigarettes? 44.5% 76.7% 83.8% 91.5%

4. What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use alcohol? 19.3% 31% 43.7% 67.8%

5. What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use cannabis? 35.2% 52.4% 43.7% 72.4

6. What percentage of Alberta young people (grades 7-12) do NOT use cannabis? 35.2% 52.4% 43.7% 72.4

7. Uppers – Stimulants nicotine, caffeine, crystal meth, cocaine/crack, Downers – Depressants alcohol, codeine, heroin, All-arounders – Hallucinogensmagic mushrooms, PCP, LSD, Ecstacy Cannabis CLASSES OF DRUGS

8. 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 What are the perks

9. Continuum of Use • No use • Use • Misuse • Abuse • Dependency

10. Dependence • Pattern of behaviour involves: • Poor self-regulatory control • Continues despite negative feedback • Often appears out of control • Reinforcers become Strong

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

12. 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)

13. What are the two top risk factors for substance abuse & gambling? • Grade at first start and ease of access • Age and peer risk behaviour • Neighbourhood disorganization and poor mother’s support

14. Risk Factors (associated with substance abuse and gambling) • Age • Peer risk behaviour • Family history of substance abuse • Family discord • Disconnection from school

15. 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

16. 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 Students at Risk

17. 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 Identifying risks con’t

18. Risk Factors Within Life Domains School 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

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

20. Transtheoretical Model of ChangeProchaska, DiClemente, Norcross • Precontemplation • Contemplation • Preparation • Action • Maintenance • Termination

21. 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

22. 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, )

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Best practices in prevention What alcohol, drug, gambling and tobacco prevention works best?

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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 Services12325 140 St. 423 7383

32. 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