Drug use went up among 8th graders between 2016 and 2020 – 61%. 62% of teenagers in 12th grade have abused alcohol. 50% of teenagers have misused a drug at least once.
Families are at a loss for what to do with their children. The root issues of youth substance abuse must be addressed in modern society. This webinar is the result of surveys done with recovering substance abusers over a one-year period. 100 grateful recovering addicts talked about what might deter substance abuse, risk factors, their personal struggles, and what has worked for them in relapse prevention. A raw and real approach to substance abuse and recovery.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify risk factors in vulnerable youth.
- Develop a theory of emotional drives behind substance abuse.
- Identify the characteristics of “the addicted family.”
- Trace the client’s symptoms to the root issues using the “Tree of Addiction.”
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding Risk Factors in Vulnerable Youth
- Explore case studies highlighting how youth fall into substance use
- Identify common risk factors such as peer pressure, family instability, and traumatic experiences
- Discuss the influence of environmental factors including school transitions and social disconnect
- Examine current substance use statistics in youth populations
Objective #2: Emotional Drivers Behind Substance Abuse
- Identify psychological and emotional reasons why youth turn to substances
- Discuss internalized beliefs such as feeling unworthy, anxious, or disconnected
- Understand emotional motivations including escaping pain, gaining acceptance, and numbing trauma
- Explore how emotional resistance presents in treatment avoidance and denial
Objective #3: Characteristics of Dysfunctional Family Systems
- Examine common family roles such as the enabler, scapegoat, lost child, and mascot
- Understand how substance abuse affects family dynamics and communication patterns
- Explore how unresolved trauma and poor attachment contribute to addiction cycles
- Identify how codependency and boundary issues perpetuate dysfunction
Objective #4: Evidence-Based Approaches for Family Support and Recovery
- Introduce CBT techniques to identify and shift negative thoughts and behaviors
- Apply motivational enhancement therapy (MET) to build client autonomy and readiness for change
- Utilize family therapy tools such as rule-setting, contracting, and structured communication
- Discuss the role of self-care and boundaries in effective family support
Objective #5: Educating and Empowering Parents
- Reduce fear of letting go and encourage natural consequences
- Teach about the chronic disease model of addiction and its impact on the brain
- Provide psychoeducation to correct myths and build informed decision-making
- Introduce tools for prevention including family engagement, awareness programs, and media resources
Objective #6: Strengthening Families and Supporting Change
- Encourage healthy relational patterns and spiritual or values-based growth
- Guide families through difficult conversations and withholding strategies
- Explore peer support tools such as active listening, validation, and “I” statements
- Highlight successful recovery reflections and advice from individuals in long-term sobriety
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dr. Paul Hardy, D.Min. NMAC, CSAC
Recording Date: May 12, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com