UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT SERVICES AND TREATMENT
+ Will services solve the problem?
Seeking support from services does not necessarily mean that a young person will stop using drugs or alcohol, but services should still be helpful.
There is no simple solution for stopping drug use.
There are many things that can contribute to a young person developing drug and alcohol related issues, and there are also a range of treatments and support available.
Generally youth drug and alcohol services will work to:
- Assist the young person to reduce their reliance on substances to cope.
- Reduce the harms associated with a young person’s drug use.
If a young person wants to stop or reduce their drug use, services will work with them to achieve this goal. To help a young person achieve their goal, a service may encourage support from family and friends while also helping a young person address other issues that may have an impact on their drug or alcohol use, such as relationship and housing stability, and emotional health.
+ Before services get involved – waiting versus preparing
Helping a young person through their drug use can be a long and often exhausting journey for families and carers. If a young person decides that they are ready to change it can be very frustrating to then find out that there is a waiting time for support services.
If families are feeling stuck while waiting for a service response, shifting the focus can be helpful. Viewing this time as a preparation period instead of just waiting can alleviate feelings of powerlessness and help the young person feel supported and ready to enter a program or attend an assessment.
As a parent, you may have experienced intense grief and anger as you watched your young person change. You may have felt frustrated at their lack of concern for how their use or behaviour has affected the family. You may not trust them or believe that they will do what they say. You may have lost hope or started to neglect yourself or other family members. Each family will have a different journey but if you can keep building on or repairing your relationships with your young person, instead of focusing on the substance use, you are heading in the right direction.
Families play a vital role in the recovery process. A good place to start is by ensuring the home is a safe and positive influence for the young person. Does the family believe the young person is strong and capable of change? Young people should know that regardless of the outcome, they are accepted, valued and their decisions will be respected.
This time can be used to engage in self-help supports, phone and online counselling, and installing helpful phone apps. Keep your young person busy and suggest activities that strengthen social supports, plan visits with caring extended family members (aunts, cousins) and encourage new hobbies.
It is natural for young people to still be a little ambivalent at this stage and they may continue using until they start getting more support. They may not want to talk with you about it at all. Focus on their strengths, their courage, and your belief in them, and try to go a day without mentioning their substance use.
Avoid conversations that suggest that the young person has been making the wrong decisions. Using fear or shame is generally not an effective motivator, nor is offering rewards for good behaviour. This is a good time to practice your communication skills, and reflect on what has been learned by your family’s journey. Consider trying to only offer positive comments or encouragement that reflect your belief in their capacity to learn and change.
Try it for a day – regardless of their behaviour or whether they use or not!
Give them space and don’t offer heaps of information unless they ask for it.
Look at the family system. Is each member looking after themselves? When was the last time everyone had fun together or went out to do something? Have a look at our Self-care article.
Finally, give yourself some credit. You have gotten this far - you are doing great. Be kind to yourself.
+ What you’ll be asked when seeking help
Youth drug and alcohol services frequently receive referrals from families and carers.
Understanding what will happen when you ring a service can make it an easier and more positive experience for all.
Making a referral doesn’t mean that a service will immediately start working with a young person. When you first contact a service they usually collect information to determine whether they are the most appropriate support for a young person. If not, you should still be helped to access the type of service that is the best fit.
Most agencies will assess a young person to identify the issues they are experiencing as well as their strengths and capabilities. This information can help with decision-making around the type of support a young person needs.
In most cases a service will require information directly from the young person and may even do this without you (for appropriate privacy reasons), even if you made the original referral. Regardless, any information you can provide is still useful.
You are likely to be asked whether the young person is aware you are making the referral and if they want help from a service.
You will be asked what you know about a young person’s drug use:
- What drugs are they using?
- How often?
- Why do you believe they have a problem?
- Would the young person say they have a problem?
- Have they had support before?
A service will also ask you about other issues in a young person’s life such as:
- Is your family experiencing any issues?
- Are there any mental health concerns for the young person?
- Is the young person at school or work?
- Are there any other behavioural concerns?
This is because drug problems are often connected with other areas of a young person’s life.
It is unlikely you will know everything you are asked but the more information you can provide the easier it will be to get the right support for your young person.
If you are worried about a young persons’ drug and/or alcohol use and want to talk Contact Us
+ Will I be involved in treatment?
If a young person you care about is getting professional help or support, it is understandable that you would want to be involved and know as much as possible.
It can be really difficult because there are very serious privacy considerations that youth workers must adhere to and as a result it can feel like you are excluded.
Privacy is taken seriously at YSAS however, with a young person’s permission, a youth drug and alcohol worker can share some information.
Also, workers understand that actively working with and supporting families is one of the best ways to help a young person be safe and gain control over their drug or alcohol use.
So, how will a service include and work with you? There are many ways that you could be involved in treatment and the specifics will depend on your unique circumstances.
Youth drug and alcohol services may involve you by:
- Providing information to you
- Providing education about young people and drugs
- Teaching communication skills
- Teaching family problem solving skills
- Discussing appropriate limit setting
- Holding or facilitating family meetings
Remember, the broad aims of a youth AOD service are to:
- Engage you in the support and care of a young person as much as possible.
- Motivate you and other family/carers to be a support for a young person.
- Build your capacity to provide emotional and practical support for a young person.