Adolescent Substance Abuse

• Participants will understand the biologic, social, and psychological impact of chemical dependency, as well as their implications in the process of recovery and behavior change that would support abstinence from alcohol and other drugs (A/OD). 

• Participants will be able to differentiate between substance use, abuse, and dependency. 

• Participants will be able to identify indicators associated with substance use, and will be educated in how to conduct an assessment to determine substance abuse or dependency.

• Participants will be able to identify intergenerational risk factors to include the psychological and social effect(s) on children and adolescents growing up in a home in which a parent, family member, and/or guardian is an alcoholic and/or substance abuser.

• Participants will be able to describe why specialized A/OD treatment is often required, and identify critical service components that should be present in comprehensive programs serving adolescents. 

• Participants will be able to identify protective and risk factors in adolescents and families.

• Participants will understand and be able to apply Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention strategies in working with adolescents.

• Participants will be able to identify personal attitudes and other beliefs that impede social workers in assessing and intervening with clients’ A/OD use. 

• Participants will be able to identify strategies to assist foster parents in understanding and working with adolescent substance abuse.

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