Use and Behavioural Changes in Children and Youth. ~ Effective Interventions

Presented by: Shirley Withers, BSW, RSW

Addiction ServicesHorizon Health Network

Marijuana ~

Agenda

• Introductions•What is Marijuana?•Factors Influencing Addiction•NB Stats•Difference Between Adolescents and Adults•Impact on Behaviour •Drug Use Continuum•Stages of Change•FARMERS/Effective Interventions•Resources•Q&A•Thank You

What is Marijuana?

Cannabis ~ Marijuana, Hashish, Hash, Hash oil, weed, pot…•Symptoms of Use

–Pupils normal to dilated–Red eyes, not bloodshot–Intoxicated look–Sluggish–Poor hygiene–Poor concentration –Relaxed inhibitions

–Tremor in legs–Sore throat–Smell–Excessive talking–Change in appetite–Impaired coordination–Perception of time and distance impaired

What is Marijuana?•Short term Use Long Term Use•Impaired short term memory and concentration•Calm•Drowsiness•Talkative•Fearful•Dry-mouth•Relaxed•Panic, paranoia, anxiety, depression•Sensory perceptions seem enhanced•Increased appetite•Distorted sense of time and space•Rapid heart beat•Impaired motor skills

•Loss of motivation•Difficulties with memory and concentration•Lung damage•Irregular menstrual cycles•Infertility in males•Lower immune system•Chronic cough•Depression•Anxiety/panic disorder•Aggression•Low affect

Factors Influencing Addiction

Interactive Factors

DrugDrug

Drug UseDrug Use ExperienceExperience

Individual Environment

Drug Factors

• Rate of Onset– Rapid onset = more re-enforcement

• T ½ – Shorter T ½ = more re-enforcing

• Root of administration– Inhaled>IV>Transnasal>PO>

Transdermal

Amount Consumed/ Duration of Use

Individual Factors• PSYCHOLOGICAL

– Personality Beliefs– Mood/Feelings Skills– Experience Knowledge

• PHYSICALGender WeightTolerance (Conditioning)General Health Food

Genetics

Environmental Factors

• Where• When• With Whom• Culture• Employment• Price• Availability• Laws• Family

7.1

40.943.4

7.9

47.2

55.1

4.1

22.7

32.5

44.5

29.9 31.3 1998

2002

2007

NB Students Drug Use Survey 2007Cannabis Use by Year and Grade

Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade10 Grade 12

Differences Between Adolescents and Adults

• Adolescents are at a much more crucial time developmentally than adults are; therefore, the impact upon them is much more developmentally devastating.

• The duration of a severe problem among adolescents at the time of diagnosis is usually less than 18 months. (5-15 rule)

• Adolescents do not generally have a loyalty to one particular drug, unlike adults. Many adolescents are poly-drug users and will use any drug that is available.

• Chemical use is rarely "social" among adolescents. "Partying" is going to a place where a group of people individually sedate themselves into oblivion! There is really nothing social about it.

• Consequences of drug use are somewhat different for adolescents. Also they do not have a long history of use, subsequently, there may not have been as many losses resulting in greater denial of both the adolescent and their family.

• Adolescents have many more enablers than adults, consequently, intervention is often delayed.

• The problem rarely presents as chemical dependency and is most often seen by parents, courts, and professionals as psychiatric, behavioral or family dysfunction. As a result, adolescents can be stuck with labels as anti-social personality, conduct disorder, ADD and clinical depression.

Impact on Behaviour

• Refer to Behavioural Check

List

?Insert a picture here

I can Drive…Alcohol Cannabis

•Decreases Alertness •Alters attention span and concentration

•Alters judgment •Alters judgment

•Alters depth perception •Alters depth perception

•Reduces motor coordination •Decreases muscle strength and hand steadiness

•Vision may be blurred or doubled

•Decreases reaction time

Or Can I?

Drug Use ContinuumStage 1 –Use

Normal Feelings

XPain Euphoria

Stage 2 – Misuse

Normal Feelings

XPain Euphoria

Drug Use ContinuumStage 3 – Abuse

XPain Euphoria

Normal Feelings

XPain Euphoria

Stage 4- Addiction Normal Feelings

Stages of Change

Pre Contemplation

ContemplationMaintenance

Action Preparation

Relapse

Adapted from:Prochaska and Diclemente (1986)

FARMERS• Feedback- of personal risk or

impairment

• Advice- clear advice to change • Responsibility- client’s personal

responsibility for change

• Menu- alternative strategies for change

• Empathy- therapist empathy is a potent catalyst for change

• Roll with Resistance

• Self-efficacy- hope or optimism

Resources

• Horizon Health Addiction Services– (506) 452-5558

• Horizon Health Mental Health– (506) 453-2132

• Websites (handout)

• Portage Atlantic– (506) 839-1200

Thank You

• Other questions???