Transcript Confidentiality

Parents Victoria Conference –
Young People & Alcohol
Facilitators: Kate Constance, Sandra Foulstone
and Kerstin Hinrichsen
Outline
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Alcohol use amongst adolescents
Adolescent brain development
Effects of alcohol use
Harms from alcohol use
What parents can do
Treatment services
Harm Minimisation –
Australian policy since 1985
• Defined by the National Drug
Strategy as:
‘ involving a range of approaches to
prevent and reduce drug related
harm, including prevention, early
intervention, specialist treatment,
supply control, safer drug use and
abstinence.'
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Current Victorian Initiatives
• This year a Blue Print for the delivery of services within
the AOD sector was launched. This Blue Print also aims at
working consistently with the new Mental Health
Strategy.
• The vision of the New Blueprint for Alcohol and Other
Drug Treatment Services 2009-2013: Client-Centred,
Service Focused is:
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Standard drinks
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New guidelines for low risk drinking
Men
Up to or
less than
Women
2
Standard
drinks
2
Standard
drinks
per day
1-2 alcohol free days per week
Under 18s
Nothing if under 15 years
15 – 17 year olds should follow adult guidelines
for low risk drinking, under parental supervision
Planning a pregnancy, pregnant or
breastfeeding
Not drinking is the safest option
The National Health & Medical Research Council’s revised guidelines. Released October 13 th 2007
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Tobacco & alcohol use among 14 – 19 year olds (2007)
Drug type
Alcohol
Daily
Weekly
<weekly
Ex
Never
1.0%
20.9%
49.1 / 71%
3.0%
26%
Weekly alcohol use among 12 – 19 year olds, breakdown by age
(2007)
Drug type
Alcohol
12 - 15
16-17
18-19
12-19
2.1%
17.8%
41.1%
15.9%
Weekly alcohol use among Australians 20 years and over,
breakdown by age (2007)
Drug type
Alcohol
Source:
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20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
47.8%
47.5%
46.8%
43.8%
34.6%
2007 National Drug Household Survey
Why do people use drugs?
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Part of a formal or informal social event
To relax
For the pleasurable effects
To control stress
To obtain relief from pain (physical or
psychological)
To feel part of a group
As a response to loneliness or social isolation
As a form of rebellion
Out of curiosity – to experiment
For religious purposes
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Drug use has been around for most of human history and
can be seen as a normal part of human behaviour
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Types of drug use:
– Experimental
– Social or recreational
– Circumstantial or situational
– Intensive
– Dependent
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Alarm over our binge-drinking 'epidemic‘
The Age, Feb 2007
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Short-term health effects
Short-term health effects
(risks from binge drinking)
Harms to physical health
risk-taking behaviour leading
….to accidents, falls, injury &
….death
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unconsciousness
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gut irritation & diarrhoea
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inflamed pancreas
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sexual problems
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Harms to mental health
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suicidal behaviour
increased stress, aggravation
….& tension
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aggravating sleep disorders
Long-term health effects
Long-term health effects
(risks from regular heavy drinking)
Harms to physical health
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cirrhosis of the liver
Harms to mental health
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cancer (especially of the
….mouth, throat & oesophagus)
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heart & vascular disorders
….(eg. stroke & hypertension)
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harm to foetus (unborn baby)
sexual problems (eg. male
….impotence)
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alcohol dependence
problems with memory &
….reasoning
alcohol related brain injury
Liver
All problems related to
physical health.
Brain function
Liver damage
Cardiac damage
Accidents / car
crashes
Circulation /
Diabetes
Nutrition
Livelihood
School and /or activity
Related issues.
For example:
Frequent lateness
Under performance
Reduced ability to
function in main life
activities related to
school etc.
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Lover
Relationship problems.
For example:
Family
Friends/peer group
School/Work
Recreational
Law
Legal consequences of
Alcohol and drug use.
For example:
Alcohol related
assault or other related
charges / convictions
Underage drinking
Use or possession of
other illegal drugs
Brain Development & Substance Use
•Research now suggests that the human brain is still
maturing during the adolescent years, with changes
continuing into the early twenties.
•The unique susceptibility of the adolescent brain to drug
addiction reinforces what we already know. Prevention is
important.
(Adolescent Brain Development: Implications for Drug Use prevention. Jesse Breyer, B.A. & Ken C. Winters PH.D. Center for Substance
Abuse Research. Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota & Mentor USA).
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Adolescent brain development
Source: ADF – Teenagers & Alcohol Fact Sheet 1
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Five Things to Know About Adolescent Brain Development & Substance
Use
• The brain's "front end," the part above the eyes, exists to slow us down or
stop our impulsive behaviours.
• This front part of the brain is still developing connections to the rest of the
brain until adulthood.
• Drugs of abuse are often available to adolescents.
• The two drugs that cause the most death are also the most available drugs:
tobacco and alcohol.
• Heavy drug use during times of critical brain development may cause
permanent changes in the way the brain works and responds to rewards and
consequences.
Reference
by Thomas J. Crowley, M.D. and Elizabeth Whitmore, Ph.D.
HBO.com - 2009
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Alcohol & The Adolescent Brain
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• Adolescence is a socially-defined phase of life
(peer groups become extremely important)
• Adolescence is also a period of rapid yet uneven
development in three interrelated areas:
– Biological: rate of growth and development is second
only to infancy
– Psychological: requires changes in personality
organisation to cope with the surge in maturation
– Social: a period of major social transition from
childhood to adulthood, which involves changes in
roles, rights and expectations of others.
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Three Sub-phases of Adolescence:
• Early adolescence (10-13) – accepting
his/her growing and changing body
• Middle adolescence (14-16) –
separating from the parents and
authority figures
• Late adolescence (17-21) – seeking
intimate relationships and acquisition
of a permanent identity
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What parents can do
• Be a part of their lives
• Make sure you set an example (be a role
model)
• Provide consistent & fair boundaries
• Be informed about drugs
• Choose an appropriate time to talk
• Be calm
• Avoid conflict
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What Parents can do cont...
• Have open & honest conversations
• Use open ended questions & listen
carefully
• Respect your teenager’s privacy
• Support & encourage positive
behaviour
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AOD Support Services
• Specialist services for young people and
other groups with particular needs
• Drug withdrawal services
• Counselling and support services
• Community-based treatment services
• Provision of training for health
professionals
• Development of community education and
information strategy
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Framework for Service Delivery
REGIONAL SERVICES
YOUNG PEOPLE
ADULT
FAMILY SERVICES
Outreach and Support
Counselling and Support
Family Drug Help
Residential Withdrawal
Residential Withdrawal
Parent Support Programme
Home Based Withdrawal
Home Based Withdrawal
Family Counselling Programme
Substitute Pharmacotherapy
Outpatient Withdrawal
Residential Rehabilitation
Substitute Pharmacotherapy
Supported Accommodation
Residential Rehabilitation & Post Withdrawal
Outdoor Therapy for Young People
Supported Accommodation
Koori Services
Peer Support
Koori Services
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How do people access MH
services?
• Referral, ACSO, CREDIT, GP, mental
health service, etc
• Through the Duty Worker
• Through other agencies that have a
relationship with MH
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Support contacts
• DirectLine
• Family Drug Help – 1300 660 068
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CONTACT DETAILS
Kate Constance - 9384 8836
Kerstin Hinrichsen– 9384 8841
2009©UnitingCare Moreland Hall
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process without prior permission from UnitingCare Moreland Hall. Requests and enquiries should be addressed to:
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UnitingCare Moreland Hall
26 Jessie Street
Moreland VIC 3058
Ph: (03) 9386 2876
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