Drug use in our society has undergone an alarming evolution. According to the European Report on Drugs, Europe now encompasses a wider range of substances than in the past and this carries a risk in the emergence of new forms of drug dependence. Substances such as cannabis, cocaine, designer drugs or alcohol have serious commonalities effects on the nervous system and how easy it is for people to get hooked on this type of toxic.
Both the health and educational systems must invest time and efforts in preventing and working on drug addiction and thus avoid the personal and social consequences that it entails. In the following Psychology-Online article, we will explain how to work drug addiction in adults and adolescents.
Index
- Activities to prevent drug dependence
- Exercises and games for drug addicts
- Drug Dynamics for Teens
Activities to prevent drug addiction.
The first step to work on drug addiction is to avoid drug use. As we have commented previously, we are living a time of change even in drug use. In addition, we must add a new threat: the appearance of new substances and the ease of obtaining them thanks to the internet. That is why, in this case, drug addiction prevention should focus on avoiding the first contact with them.
Activities to prevent this problem can be directed as follows:
- Health promotion: this type of activity is of a more general nature. Health promotion is based on offering information programs on healthy habits aimed at the entire population.
- Primary prevention: In this case, we are addressing an audience that is more vulnerable to getting hooked on drugs (adolescents, marginalized people, people with drug problems mental health ...) and we offer them information on the dangers of drug use, as well as leisure alternatives and strategies for coping.
- Secondary prevention: This task is aimed at making an early detection of the problem, in this case, detecting whether people who have occasionally used drugs may develop an addiction.
- Tertiary prevention: here, more than prevention, we are talking about tasks aimed at treating and preventing relapses in drug addicts.
Exercises and games for drug addicts.
Unfortunately, even trying to avoid consumption and addiction, there are many people with drug addiction problems. Worldwide It is estimated that almost 30 million people worldwide suffer from drug-related problems and need some type of treatment.
From the practice of psychology (together with general medicine and psychiatry), an attempt is made to focus on the need to train competent professionals. Treating a drug addiction requires comprehensive and multidisciplinary learning. For this, training courses have been developed and Master's degrees in drug addiction that allow addressing this problem in the most effective way possible.
Intervention in drug addiction
Several workshops have been developed to work on drug dependence in adults and young people. This type of intervention may contain the following axes:
- Psychological reinforcement of self-esteem: when we strengthen self-esteem in a person who, for a series of reasons, is in a situation of addiction to drugs, it is likely that she begins to make small decisions aimed at maintaining a certain mental stability and physical.
- Development of control strategies: Many times, a person defines their drug dependence situation as a "loss of control". There are specific programs aimed at pursuing small goals to get back on the path of psychological well-being.
- Pharmacological treatments to avoid consumption: either through pills that cause strong discomfort with contact with drugs (disulfiram) or with medications that resemble the substance itself (methadone).
Dynamics on drugs for adolescents.
One of the most necessary lines of intervention to treat drug dependence is treatment in the adolescent population, either in specialized centers or in the same institutes. It is important to carry out activities and dynamics to raise awareness among this group.
1. Role-playing
Putting yourself in the role of another person helps adolescents express many fears and emotions that they normally do not dare to communicate. An example of role-playing would be to role-play a conversation between a worried mother and a drug-addicted son. The concerns and consternations that can emerge from this dynamic are often quite revealing.
2. Group reflection games
The main objectives of this exercise are to clarify myths about substance use and to develop skills that prevent the adolescent from developing drug dependence. Reflecting in a group allows us to put on the table many doubts that drugs can generate.
3. Group discussion
Like reflection, discussion allows for a very insightful and effective exchange of information. Not only does it prevent risky behaviors, it also invites reflection to those young people who have already developed a drug dependence.
4. Viewing a documentary
Finally, this dynamic may seem ineffective (adolescents do not pay attention and are bored many times) but If we get the information and the method of dissemination right, viewing a documentary can be a very powerful tool.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to work drug dependence in adults and adolescents, we recommend that you enter our category of Addictions.
