THE IMPACT OF SUBSTANCE USE

Transcription

1 THE IMPACT OF SUBSTANCE USE Sarah Dobbie, Jade Llewellyn & Tom Wiles 13/09/2016 TaskForce Community Agency Inc.

2 Who Are We? Taskforce Community Agency is a not-for-profit organisation providing counselling, information, education and support for individuals directly and indirectly affected by alcohol and substance use. Our core services focus on addressing social issues of addiction, unemployment, mental health and high risk taking behavioural supports. We assist young people, adults and families. Funding for TaskForce is primarily through Federal, State and Local Government tenders, plus donations. We are made up of GP s, Psychologists and Counsellors as well as Youth Outreach workers.

3 The affects of substance use Drugs affect people differently, depending on factors such as their size, weight, health and also whether they regularly take them and if other substances are used together at the same time. The substance type, amount and quality also contributes to its affect.

4 Types of use Experimental use Recreational drug use Situational use Intensive use Dependent drug use

5 How do they work? Substances are classified according to the effect they have on the Central Nervous System.

6 Depressants

7 Stimulants

8 Hallucinogens

9 The affects of substance use Talkativeness Euphoria Brain damage (ABI) Psychosis Seizures Poor motor control Aggression Drowsiness Elevated mood

10 Long term affects of substance use Chronic poor health Tolerance and Dependence Withdrawal Ability to work Pregnancy and breastfeeding Social problems Criminal justice system involvement

11 Types of referrals There is no single cause of drug related problems in individuals. Instead, a complex interaction between social, psychological and biological factors effect a young person s drug using behaviour. This is why there is such a strong correlation between disadvantage, vulnerability, experiences of isolation and substance use problems.

12 Case studies Sam is a 24 year old male seeking support regarding his Heroin and ice use. Sam reports that he uses cannabis as well however does not have any concerns regarding this. Sam advises that he is diagnosed with schizoid effective disorder and is currently taking various medications for this. Sam recently discharged himself from a planned detoxification admission and is reported to have been in and out of hospital for drug induced psychosis episodes since he was 19. Sam has regular contact with his mother and brother however reports that his brother also uses illicit substances. Sam advises he receives a disability services pension and has a number of outstanding fines and pending charges.

13 Assessment Factors considered in assessment: Substance use, Mental health, Medical History, Psychosocial Circumstances such family and peer relationships, accommodation and finances/employment/training, suicide risk and self harm, legal status and criminal justice involvement

14 What to look out for in students BE CAUTIOUS TO NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS Physiological symptoms such as Dilated pupils, red eyes, slurred speech, erratic behaviour etc. Poor concentration/memory disruptive behaviour Low attendance/chronic late attendance Poor eating habits/poor hygiene Social isolation/negative peer association Antisocial behaviour Low mood

15 The affects of substance use on Society The cost to Australian society of alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse in was estimated at $56.1 billion, including costs to the health and hospitals system, lost workplace productivity, road accidents and crime. Of this, tobacco accounted for $31.5 billion (56.2 per cent), alcohol accounted for $15.3 billion (27.3 per cent) and illegal drugs $8.2 billion (14.6 per cent).

16 Alcohol Alcohol causes more than twice as many deaths as road accidents 2. In fact alcohol kills 15 Australians every day, and 5,554 each year. It also hospitalises 430 Australians every day, and 157,132 each year. 8 The harms from alcohol cost Australians $15.3 billion a year (alcohol taxes only generate $7 billion) 3. Almost 5 million Australians aged 14 and over (26%) had been a victim of an alcohol-related incident in Most of these incidents involved verbal abuse (22%). 1 Around 1 in 5 recent drinkers aged 14 years or older put themselves or others at risk of harm while under the influence of alcohol in the previous 12 months. Driving a vehicle was the most common risky activity undertaken (12.2% of recent drinkers). 1 See more at:

17 Harm minimisation TaskForce takes a Harm Minimisation approach when working with people experiencing issues in relation to drug and alcohol. There is no safe level of drug use, all drugs come with their own level of risk. Harm reduction means strategies and actions that primarily reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of drugs.

18 Where to from here? What if I am concerned about someone? Asking the question It is more complicated than just stopping

19 Crisis Services Direct Line (Drug Advice) Family Drug and Alcohol Help or

20 TaskForce South Road, Bentleigh taskforce.org.au T: E: