Substance Use as a Substitute Relationship for System Involved Youth

Michele and Tory Ponsford

Training Description

System Involved Youth (SIY) often experience attachment disorder due to an absence of original family. Attachment is essential for human survival as it is both physical and emotional unbearable without connection.  In the absence of a secure attachment to self or parent, an external relationship, a substitute relationship is formed. Many times System Involved Youth form a substitute relationship with a substance such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, etc. This course will help participants develop an understanding of how essential a healthy secure attachment to self and an external relationship is for System Involved Youth. Participants will understand that a substitute relationship can be formed with a substance. Participants will learn how to support System Involved Youth in beginning to heal insecure substitute relationships and how to develop healthy relationships both internally and externally.

Learning Objective

• Participants will learn how substance use can develop as…