SUPPORTING A YOUNG PERSON (WHO IS USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL)

+ How families can help

When a young person you care about is experiencing drug and alcohol issues you can feel really helpless. You may even think that sending them away to a treatment program would make things better or solve the ‘problem’, however families can actually be the best support for a young person.

There are many factors that influence drug and alcohol use. Risk and protective factors for drug use occur at an individual level, within peer groups, at a school and family level and even at a larger community level and can all have a great impact on a young person’s substance use.

Helping a young person deal with their drug and alcohol related problems is not just about eliminating risk factors or fixing problems. It is also involves building on strengths and adding protective factors into a young person’s life.

Just as problems within families can be a risk factor for drug problems, when families develop or build on strengths and stay connected this promotes good outcomes.

As well as being there, showing love and support and staying connected to a young person, families can:

  • Teach and role model communication skills
  • Set effective limits and consequences
  • Promote help seeking
  • Work with support services

+ Practicing harm reduction

Parenting is an ongoing process of harm reduction. Working out what risks a young child might take (climbing onto a glass coffee table, eating dirt in the garden) and being one step ahead is often necessary and vital for their safety.

Parents understand that to protect a child they need to balance a child’s need to explore, learn and grow with their need to be protected and kept safe. Sometimes being overprotective (or controlling) can be just as harmful as being neglectful.

As children move into adolescence, harm reduction becomes even more dynamic. The 2 year old you could grab and move to a safe place is now 15 years old and wants to go out with friends, without you there to protect them. This is a healthy and important process for growth; it provides young people with opportunities to develop skills they will need in the future – but that doesn’t make it less terrifying to witness.

For some young people, experimenting with drugs and alcohol may be part of the process of working out who they are. For others, drug and alcohol use can be a way to cope with difficult life experiences and arising challenges.

Whatever the reason for using substances, harm reduction as an approach remains the best way to support young people to move safely through this transformative period.

Isn’t just not using the best way to reduce harm?

Anyone who has attempted to quit smoking can tell you that stopping takes practice and a few attempts may be needed. Also, this assumes that the goal of the young person is not using again.

Remember, reducing use takes time and may not be the goal for everyone.

While there will always be risks involved with substance use there are still practical steps that can be taken to keep young people safe and reduce harm.

How do you practice harm reduction if a young person is using substances?

There are many ways that you can reduce the risk of harms from drug and alcohol use.

For example, drinking alcohol while supervised by adults in a safe environment might prevent the harms that come with sneaking around drinking in public places.

You can teach young people harm reduction strategies such as; drinking a pot of water for every pot of beer, getting a taxi home, only drinking with trusted friends and avoiding using alcohol whilst taking prescribed medications.

For each drug there will be different things young people can do to stay safer.

Also, having enough phone credit to call home, knowing they can call if they need and being able to talk openly with you if they are scared or worried should not be underestimated.

For further information you can read the Drug Facts information, and check out the Resources for Young People for articles about how to Stay Safe.

Harm reduction is the first step towards taking control of drug use Harm reduction can be a good way for a young person to start the journey towards making positive and safe decisions for themselves.

Connecting with a drug and alcohol service to get advice on staying safe also gives young people a chance to better understand what treatment is. This can make it easier to get support later if that is what they need.

Young people who are ambivalent about (or against) drug and alcohol treatment sometimes won’t see a drug and alcohol worker to stop using but may be willing to seeing a worker to learn how to prevent harm.

If you want to hear more about harm reduction and how it applies to a young person you care about take a look at this video.

+ Helping a young person to make changes

Change is what happens when a young person is ready for action and they are in an environment that supports that action.

For young people facing issues with alcohol and other drugs, change is not something that can be achieved simply because they really hope to change. They must be in an environment supportive of change and conducive to their personal growth.

Important factors that encourage change are: safe and stable housing, basic needs are met (food and clothing), meaningful education or employment options and experiences that enhance self-esteem and build a sense of worth.

While workers can help a young person achieve some of these things, often the people who can most influence a young person's social environment are family members.

Is the family home a good environment for change?

  • Is home safe and free of violence?
  • Does a young person have an area of their home that is private and they are in control of?
  • Is the home a place of encouragement?
  • Is effective communication practiced and modelled? Poor communication can actually create barriers to change.
  • Is the family something that a young person can draw strength from?
  • Do adult family members seek help when they need it?
  • Is responsible use of alcohol (or other substances) modelled?

It is worth exploring these questions when trying to promote change.

+ Helping a young person deal with cravings at home

No matter how committed a young person is to reducing substance use, cravings are a normal part of recovery. Here is a practical activity youth workers use to help young people deal with cravings that anyone can do.

For a young person who wants to reduce their substance use but experiences intrusive thoughts and cravings, distraction can help them cope in the moment and delay making a decision to use.

Making a distraction box is a fun and simple way that youth workers help a young person to: accept that cravings will happen, identify their own coping strategies, and plan ahead. As the name suggests, these boxes are filled with things that will divert and engage a young person when the cravings hit. Good distraction boxes are inviting, individualised and updated regularly.

You can fill a distraction box with anything that a young person thinks will help shift their attention. Here are some ideas to get you going.

  • Art supplies
  • Nail polish and manicure set
  • A musical instrument
  • A favourite DVD, CD or game
  • Sporting equipment
  • Bead making kit
  • Gym gear
  • Aromatherapy oils & meditation CD
  • Colouring book and pencils
  • Pen and paper for creative writing
  • Mind teaser puzzles
  • A favourite magazine
  • A pedometer
  • A skipping rope
  • Photo albums
  • Movie / coffee voucher
  • Dog lead or cat treats
  • Fishing gear

The list goes on…..

Making a distraction box together can be a positive and empowering experience. Distraction boxes are best suited to young people who have a supportive environment around them with their basic needs met and are already motivated to reduce their substance use.

Eche