Staff Development
As a somewhat newer field of study, Substance Use Disorder treatment truly requires vigilant attention to emerging research and active advocacy for patient care all consistently grounding in the foundation that we are treating a brain disease and managing its physiological byproducts.
Here are some building blocks to start our collaboration.
Substance use Disorders, Recovery and Continuum Based Care: How We Heal
This workshop will explore the neurological nature of substance use disorders and recovery in light of research related to Neuroplasticity, Neurogenesis and Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF). Participants will critically examine the nature of recovery as the development of functional autonomy in managing a progressive, chronic disease.
Substance use Disorders and the Family: Engendering Hope, Managing Crisis.
This presentation explores the nature of addiction as it relates to family systems and the unique challenges associated with treating this population. Participants will explore the developmental struggles associated with addiction as a family condition and discover practical methods of supporting family healing and the development of hope for the future.
Investing in the Development of Clinical Resilience: Helping Folks Not Feel Broken.
Regardless of the area in which we encounter those with mental health or substance use disorders we often see the use of maladaptive coping strategies. These strategies, albeit a method of protection, frequently puts them at odds with the community structures and systems with which they must engage. Add to this the sigma and discrimination associated with behavioral health conditions, and it is easy to see why all too often individuals go uncared for.
Join me as we look at the common adversity these individuals come across just trying to manage life on life’s terms. As an antidot we will look to foster confidence, connection, and other resilience-based skills to help manage their condition with self-assurance in a variety of social settings. It is no secret that this population often feels broken; let’s help them feel whole.
Identity Formation and Drug Use by Youth: In Search of Self
Borrowing from multiple disciplines, most notably education, participants will join in a conversation regarding the concept of identity formation as it pertains to substance use by adolescent or young adult. It is no secret that substance using youth live strikingly different lives then their non-using peers. Family relationships, academic and community involvement, and even friendships are modified significantly to sustain the progression of their condition. This coupled with the neurological impact of their disease all unite to form a unique development of self and self-efficacy.
Functional Autonomy: The Culmination of Care
So what then is the result of Substance Use Disorder treatment? What is the product we have at the end? The sole goal of treatment is to fully entrench an individual in the recovery process—more specifically, to support the development of skills and tools needed to address the nature of a chronic healthcare condition. At the heart of this process is understanding and acceptance. Together we will examine dimensionally the skill sets, abilities and structures we hope to see in and around a recovering individual prior to discharge.
Engaging Adolescents Experientially: It is all Fun and Games
Experiential education can be a powerful tool in reaching those with Substance Use Disorders. Complex concepts can be easily demonstrated and these profound experiences can go a long way in helping the development of new methods of managing adversity, accessing support and investing in healthy, reality based skillsets. Please visit the page devoted to this pedagogy for more insights.
Making Investments in Psycho-education: Envisioning Ourselves as Educators
A great deal of what we do in Substance Use Disorder care involves the transfer of knowledge. Whether through lectures or presentations, small group discussions, modeling of behaviors or simply our conduct as professionals in the healthcare community we are often in the role of educator. In consideration, as professionals we are provided very little in regards to the grand concepts of learning. The prospect of educating however impacts every aspect of what we aim to accomplish in treatment as it serves as a foundation for the process of change, increases motivation and participation and in the end supports retention and subsequently success. As such, envisioning ourselves as educators as well as clinicians can be a prosperous shift. After all, recovery is learned.