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 to support 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.

During this in person workshop, we will have a chance to connect with each other by utilizing, discussion groups, roleplays, and mindfulness self regulation activities interspersed with and complementing the content offered.

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

9:00-9:15am  Sign In/Introduction

9:15-10:15am  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)

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

10:30am-12:30pm

● 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

12:30-1:00pm Lunch (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

1:00-2:15pm  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

2:15-3:15pm  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

3:15-3:30pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

3:30-4:30pm  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

4:30-5:15pm  Steps to treatment approaches to alcoholism and chemical dependency

○ Medical detox

○ Rehab center

○ Sober living environment

5:15-5:30pm  Questions & Answers + Wrap Up

DAY 2

9:00-9:15am  Sign In/Orient to Day 2 Agenda

9:15-10:30am  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

10:30-10:45am  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

10:45am-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

4:15-5:15pm  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

○ Supporting caregivers to bring out the best in their youth

○ Resources for youth to find effective and objective preventive drug education

5:15-5:30pm  Questions & Answers + Wrap Up

Meet Our Trainer

Mr. Robert Dousa, for the past 26 years has been working on researching how to prevent substance abuse, explosive anger outbursts, gang involvement, human trafficking, etc. of young people and how to support the healing of people suffering from Complex Post Traumatic Disorders (CPTSD) towards thriving in life, learning, and career. Robert, who came from an abusive childhood, has experienced various healing modalities himself to attain personal freedom from trauma. Prior to retirement from the public education system (22 years paid, 3 years volunteer) and most especially (2003-2022) as a Program Manager in the Behavioral Health Department for the Oakland Unified School District’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs Intervention program, Robert developed a strengths-based life coaching program, grant funded by the CA Dept of Education, that utilized 15 life coaches (diversity of gender, multi-ethnic, with individual hobby strengths) who utilized a variety of interventions and approaches while implementing inside Oakland schools. Currently, he offers services designed to empower young adults struggling with inner negative talk to find their own inner guiding light and individual gifts, talents, and passions in support of their future… and to also coach parents of SIY to re-establish a positive influential relationship with their children, guiding them towards healing their own inner child in the process. Currently, he is providing individual life coaching, training of intervention approaches, coaching training, and teaching to those individuals and organizations that support system involved youth

This course meets the qualifications for (15.0) 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.