Work sample

In this Power Point, we were talking about how to prevent the abuse of
Alcohol and Substances. My colleagues and I conducted researched and
thoroughly reviewed our topics. We then had to present this
presentation to the class

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

By: Mitchell Bounds, Megan Hicks, Nick Ramos and Brandon
Taylor

Causes of Alcohol/Substance Abuse

When people get older their bodies change. Their bodies function and increase the likelihood for alcohol or substance abuse. Like:
family member with an alcohol problem (family history)
male gender
living alone
single status (separated or divorced)
mental health issues, including depression or other chronic mental health problems
substance abuse in earlier life
chronic pain
sleep problems
life stresses (financial difficulties, retirement, loss of a spouse or family member, moving to a new home, new illness)
being in the hospital
living in a long-term care facility
long-term tobacco habit
misunderstanding by older people about how to take their medications
over-prescription of mood drugs (especially for older women)
not reporting unwanted medication side effects
boredom.
http://www.healthinaging.org/aging-and-health-a-to-z/topic:drug-and-substance-abuse/info:causes-and-symptoms/

Cont.
Substance Abuse is the real deal. It can cause pain and suffering to that individual and to the rest of his/her family members. The substance abuse is a complex problem because there are so many
reasons why people fall into substance abuse in the first place and sometimes never come out of it.

One way to define substance abuse would be to say that it is a pattern of behavior where people use mild-altering substances to a harmful extent. The DSM-IV definition ( Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
Edition) is more precise in its definition and describes substance abuse as:

* Repeated use of the substance in ways that would be considered physically harmful
* Use of the substance is impacting the ability of the individual to meet their family, social, or work commitments
* Continued use of the substance despite evidence that it is leading to difficulties
* Legal problems due to use of the substance
The individual only has to meet one of the above criteria within the last year for them to be considered a substance abuser by the DSM-IV definition.
The mind-altering substances that people can abuse include:
* Alcohol
* Prescription drugs http://www.healthinaging.org/aging-and-health-a-to-z/topic:drug-and-substance-abuse/info:causes-and-symptoms/
* Inhalants
* Stimulants
* Depressants
* Hallucinogens
http://www.healthinaging.org/aging-and-health-a-to-z/topic:drug-and-substance-abuse/info:causes-and-symptoms/

Symptoms of Alcohol/Substance
Abuse

Symptoms of Alcohol/Substance
Addiction

Neglecting your responsibilities

(skipping school or work)

Built up a drug tolerance (you

need more drugs to experience the
same effect as before)
Withdrawal Symptoms (nausea,
depression, anxiety, insomnia etc.)
Lost control of yourself and
drugs (you cant stop because you
feel powerless)
Discontinuation of previous
hobbies (sports or hanging out with
friends)

Taking dangerous risks while under

the influence of alcohol or a
substance (such as driving)
Problems in your relationships (fights
or abuse)
Physical symptoms may include
bloodshot eyes, drastic change in
weight, tremors, slurred speech, or
impaired conditions.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-andaddiction.htm

Prevention of Alcohol/ Substance Abuse

Prevention of Alcohol Abuse:

Prevention of Substance Abuse:

Avoid binge drinking. For men this means,

they will have five or more drinks in one
sittings and for women, they will have
four or more drinks. Drinking is
dangerous, and when getting behind the
wheel of a vehicle, that person becomes a
danger for other people. When drinking, it
is very important to never get into a car
and drive.

Safely store and properly dispose of

prescription medications and not share
prescription drugs with others. Many
young teens will find and take their
parents medication as drugs. Locking up
your drugs will prevent them from further
hurting themselves. Many teens do drugs
for many reasons. One, is because they
want to try drugs. It is said that teens
want to try new things and therefore
experiment with drugs. Others do drugs
because they are depressed and use that
as an excuse to use drugs in the wrong
way.

Support
In Solano County alone, there are many places that are available to receive help with alcohol and substance abuse. There are many programs that are available to those that are in need of help.
These programs help with many different aspects including residential detoxification, helping to find jobs for their members, and group therapy.
Detoxification
Southern Solano Alcohol Council (SSAC) Detox.

Services offered: 7 day residential detox, assessment, drop-in services. 24 hour support staff. Sober living (male) available. Entry requirement.

Residential Treatment Programs

Genesis House
24 hr Hotline 707-557-3165.
Services offered: Men & womens long-term residential treatment program. 9-11 months followed by both After-care and Sober living. One-to-one counseling, group therapy. Sliding Fee Schedule
House of Acts
Services offered: Long term mens residential substance abuse recovery program. Features outpatient and sober living environment. Sliding Fee Scale
Rosewood House
Services offered: Transitional housing for 9 women, job assistance, county resources, and SASCA funding. 6 months clean & sober & previous treatment. Solano County parolees and women who have completed substance
abuse treatment.

http://solano.networkofcare.org/mh/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=RX-8450

Questions
1.What causes alcohol and substance
abuse?
2. How do you personally receive support?
3. What are some common symptoms of
alcohol and substance abuse?
4. How could you help someone you know
who deals with this problem?
5. What did you learn about our
presentation?