Understanding Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Dependency for Those Working with System Involved Youth

Robert Dousa

Training Description

Many system involved youth and families are impacted by Substance use disorders (SUDs) which can negatively affect them physically, psychologically, socially, legally, vocationally, educationally, and in other areas of life function. The widespread problems associated with alcohol and drugs coupled with the fact that the majority of individuals with SUDs do not seek substance abuse treatment, make it likely that social workers and other professionals will encounter system Involved youth &/or families impacted by SUDs.

How do we learn to recognize the medical aspects of alcoholism and substance abuse and support people who may be unaware of the ramifications that alcoholism and substance abuse is having on their lives? What are the major treatment approaches to alcoholism and substance abuse? How do we determine which community resources are available and more importantly, who and when to refer our system involved youth or their family members to for greater support with alcoholism & substance use?

In this training, we will explore how support providers can enhance capacity tosupport sustainable behavior change with system involved youth and/or their families who may be caught up in alcoholism and substance use and foster progress toward improved outcomes. Practicing and sharing the methods outlined by this workshop will allow us to improve the approaches of how we empower system-involved youth and families and will fulfill what is required by Sections 4980.41, 4980.80, 4980.90, 4996.2, 4996.17, and 4999.32 of the Barclays Official California Code of Regulations for Continuing Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Educational Psychologists, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors.

Learning Objectives

● Explain the definition of alcoholism & other chemical dependency & the evaluation of the abuser; identify at least 2 medical aspects of alcoholism & other chemical dependency; & explore at least 2 current theories of the etiology of substance abuse.

● Explain the role of persons & systems that support or compound the abuse; identify at least 2 major treatment approaches to alcoholism & chemical dependency; & identify at least 2 legal aspects of substance abuse.

● Specify at least 2 populations at risk of substance abuse; identify at least 2 community resources offering assessment, treatment & follow-up for the abuser & family; explain the process of referring affected persons; & identify 2 resources for the prevention of substance abuse.

Agenda

DAY 1

8:30-8:45am  Sign In/Introduction

8:45-10:00am  Root causes of substance use (intro)

○ Definitions for alcoholism

○ Definition of chemical dependency

○ Development of the Motivational Interviewing Practice (history)

○ Stages of change model (intro)

10:00-10:15am  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

10:15am-12:15pm

● Basic principles of motivational interviewing and motivation enhancement therapy for substance abuse treatment

● Roleplay & practice basic principles of motivational interviewing and motivation enhancement therapy for substance abuse treatment

   ○ Reflective listening to identify need

   ○ Reflective listening and education to identify concerns

   ○ Evoking Change Talk

   ○ Summarizing to induce behavior change

   ○ Making quit goals

   ○ Identifying coaching points to strengthen and prevent relapse

12:15-12:45pm  Lunch (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

12:45-2:00pm  Medical aspects of alcoholism and various chemical dependencies.

○ How drugs work and interact with the physiology of the brain & body

○ THC products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

○ Alcohol products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

○ Nicotine products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

○ MDMA (ecstasy) products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

○ Stimulant products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

○ Opioid products & interaction with the physiology of the brain & body

2:00-3:00pm  Current theories of the etiology of substance abuse (causes for use)

○ Definition of addiction

○ Biological, Psychosocial, Physiological Vulnerability, & Contextual Factors to Addiction

○ The Pathology of Addiction

○ Identifying clients at risk of addiction

3:00-3:15pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

3:15-4:15pm  The role of persons and systems that support or compound the abuse (study of the enabling person and system)

○ Definition of codependency

○ Factors leading to codependency

○ Dysfunctional family roles

○ Treating the individual family members

4:15-5:00pm  Steps to treatment approaches to alcoholism and chemical dependency

○ Medical detox

○ Rehab center

○ Sober living environment

DAY 2

8:30-8:45am  Sign In/Orient to Day 2 Agenda

8:45-10:15am  ASAM evaluation of alcoholism and other chemical dependency, manifested in the substance abuser. (5 stages)

○ Level .05 Early Intervention Services

○ Level I Outpatient Services

○ Level II Intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization services

○ Level II Residential/inpatient services

○ Level IV Medically managed intensive inpatient services

10:15-10:30am  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

10:30am-12:15pm  Trending and effective substance abuse treatment practices

○ Somatic healing practices (intro)

○ Alternative healing practices examined

○ Recovery with Art Therapy

○ Recovery with Music Therapy

○ Recovery with Animal Therapy

○ Recovery with Adventure Therapy

12:15-12:45pm  Lunch (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

12:45-1:30pm  Legal aspects of abuse of alcoholism and other chemical dependency.

○ Legal consequences for minors in the U.S.

○ Legal consequences for minors internationally

○ Legal consequences for caregivers of minors who abuse substances in the U.S.

1:30-2:00pm  Certain populations at risk with regard to substance abuse.

○ Urban youth who live in high density environments

○ LGBTQ+ youth

○ Immigrant (newcomer) youth

2:00-3:00pm  Community resources offering assessment, treatment, referral processes and how to support a system involved youth’s family to lead intervention for the abuser

○ Exploring the Steps of the Johnson Family Intervention Model

○ Organize a team

○ Planning the family role on motivating client to get into treatment

○ Guidelines on caring

○ Discussion of addiction impacts on individual family members

○ Evidence of negative challenges

○ Goal is to motivate client to enter treatment

3:00-3:15pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

3:15-4:15pm  How to conduct basic family coaching & explore additional opportunities for therapy

○ Identifying treatment option and preparation

○ Alcoholics Anonymous

○ Cherry Hill Detox

○ Highland Hospital

○ Local low cost rehab facilities

4:15-5:00pm  Resources & practices for providing education concerning the prevention of substance abuse

○ Improving the family culture

○ Supporting families to provide enrichment activities in positive environments for youth

○ Supporting caregivers on how to talk about substance use with youth

Meet Our Trainer

Mr. Robert Dousa is the founding Managing General Partner of Independent Strengths Building Consulting. This business includes: Individual Anger Management & Addictive Behavior Recovery Coaching, Conducting training of: Situational Leadership/Strengths-Based Life Skills Coaching, Brief Intervention & Motivational Interviewing, Drug, Anger Management, & Family interventions, Neuroscience-Based Leadership & Rapport Building, & Organizational Prevention Strategy Consultation, & Mandated Reporter Training for CA. Mr. Robert Dousa's has retired from the Marin County Office of Education Safe Schools Department and is now providing individual life coaching, intervention coach training, and consulting to those supporting system involved youth. Prior to retirement, he developed the majority of his practice from his work as the Program Manager for the Oakland Unified School District’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs Intervention program from 2005 to 2021. Prior to that, he served as a substance abuse counselor in school districts in Alameda County, CA from 2000 to 2005.

This course meets the qualifications for (15) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.