Drug and Alcohol Abuse
How to define it...
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances.” Substance can refer to a drug of abuse, a medication, or a toxin. (http://www.arcouncil.net/definitions-of-abuse.html) |
How to talk to our kids about it...
Threading a Nut Onto a Bolt:
Divide your class into even teams of 4-5. Give each team a bolt and nut with the nut screwed all the way onto the bolt. Explain that each person must unscrew the bolt entirely and then re-screw it back on completely before passing it on to the next teammate. Also explain that you will be timing them. Obviously, the first team to finish the relay wins. Record each team's time.
The second time through the exercise, explain that they must do the same thing but this time wearing a pair of mittens. The mittens are to be passed from player to player along with the bolt and nut. Again record each team's time during the mitten round. Finally, the teams will need to do the same task but wearing dark sunglasses with the lights off. Again record their times. After the sunglass round, have each team note their three times and share their observations. Wrap up with a discussion of how these various impairments mirror the effects of drugs and alcohol on us when we are performing important tasks like driving or operating machinery.
(Read more: Games to Teach Children About Drugs & Alcohol | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_7954738_games-teach-children-drugs-alcohol.html#ixzz2SRtV6XSK)
(Read more: Games to Teach Children About Drugs & Alcohol | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_7954738_games-teach-children-drugs-alcohol.html#ixzz2SRtV6XSK)
When reading to our kids...
Strategies to help our kids...
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/0/7/20079635/552305982.png?313)
1. Help students recognize and manage their stressors
2. Help the student to get connected into support groups and counseling
3. Help the student make changes to a healthy lifestyle that includes eating habits, working out, sleeping, and a daily routine.
4. Educate those around you that the substance abuse my affect
5. Set clear boundaries with the student on what is and is not appropriate behavior
Most importantly we must be patient with our children. They did not start abusing substance over night just as they will not stop abusing overnight.
2. Help the student to get connected into support groups and counseling
3. Help the student make changes to a healthy lifestyle that includes eating habits, working out, sleeping, and a daily routine.
4. Educate those around you that the substance abuse my affect
5. Set clear boundaries with the student on what is and is not appropriate behavior
Most importantly we must be patient with our children. They did not start abusing substance over night just as they will not stop abusing overnight.
Getting help...
Caron Treatment Center
243 Galen Hall Rd N Wernersville, PA (800) 678-2332 Project Transition
7101 Woodrow Ave Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-8646 |
Teen Challenge Training Center
33 Teen Challenge Rd Rehrersburg, PA 19550 (717) 933-4181 |
Online Resources...