Addictions and Mental Health Recovery

Good resources for teachers and parents regarding mental health and addictions can be hard to come by.  Additionally, many parents have a hard time sticking  with programs because day-to-day things come up—working late, homework whatever.  It is often more effective to use these materials in a group setting.  Not  only does it allow the parents and children to spend time together, but families can provide social support to one another.  The following FREE resources are available for order and/or download and can be easily used in a classroom, homeschool or church setting.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior – Science of Addiction  http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17602
(As seen on HBO’s Addiction: Communities Take Action)
This landmark publication provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease, and aims to increase understanding of the basics of addiction to help people make informed choices in their own lives, adopt science-based policies and programs that reduce drug abuse and addiction in their communities, and support scientific research that improves the Nation’s well-being.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future Family Guide http://media.shs.net/bblocks/ParentGuideLong.pdf
The Building Blocks Family Guide contains ideas for fun activities and discussion starters for you and your children, as well as advice and guidance on topics such as active listening, rule making, and being a good role model. It also can be used to guide you through the rest of the Building Blocks materials with your children.

Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientist Program: Grades K-1 http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16883; Grades 2-3 http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16037;   Grades 4-5  http://www.drugabuse.gov/JSP3/JSP.html
The Brain Power! program takes students  step by step through an exploration of the processes of science and how to use these processes to learn about the brain, the nervous system, and the effects of drugs on the nervous system and the body. The materials include a videotape, a teacher’s guide, trading cards, and parent newsletters.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): The Basics (CD Rom) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17296
This mini CD—consisting of slides and accompanying notes—provides the latest and most accurate information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD. The CD includes essential facts on what FASD is, how it’s caused, how many people have it, and much more.

Family Guide to Systems of Care for Children With Mental Health Needs  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4054/
Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health Campaign is a national public education initiative emphasizing attention to children’s and adolescents’ mental health. It supports the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program, in place in communities across the Nation, which is demonstrating the effectiveness of systems of care in meeting the services needs and improving the lives of children with serious emotional disturbances (SEDs) and their families. This campaign is managed by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. The guide is intended to help parents and caregivers seek help for children with mental health needs. Information is provided on what parents and caregivers need to know, ask, expect, and do to get the most out of their experience with systems of care.

Reach to Teach Educating Elementary and Middle School Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17603
Reach To Teach is a resource guide for parents of a child with an FASD and for teachers in elementary and middle schools who work with children who have an FASD. It provides a basic introduction to these disorders and tools to improve communication between parents and teachers.

Heads Up: A website with .pdf printables from scholastic publishers. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/headsup/support/index.asp?article=reproducibles
Real News About Drugs and Your Body. Here you’ll find real, science-based facts about the effects drugs have on the teen brain and body. Check out the articles and features below to get the latest facts so you can make smart choices about your health.

Over the years I have found that finding good information is kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  The following links will take you to addictions and mental health sites that have the most current and useful information for addictions counselors, rehabilitation counselors, mental health clinicians, nurses and  (of course) program administrators.  All of the resources are FREE so you can order copies for your colleagues and/or staff! 

Clinical Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA04-3906/
This report has been prepared to summarize the most promising preventive interventions of a behavioral nature intended to impact mental and substance use disorders, or in some cases, medical outcomes. This review focuses on prevention interventions that are primarily delivered by health care systems. Interventions provided in schools, worksites, communities, and criminal justice systems were excluded, as were population-based interventions.Clinical

Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services Special Report: Preventive Interventions Under Managed Care: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch1.asp Programs and services that prevent substance abuse and mental health disorders have the potential to lessen an enormous burden of suffering and to reduce both the cost of future treatment and lost productivity at work and home. The availability and accessibility of these interventions to the millions of Americans whose health care is provided by managed care organizations depend upon the services’ status as covered benefits. The following six preventive services are recommended for consideration by managed care organizations:

1. Prenatal and infancy home visits.
2. Targeted cessation education and counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant.
3. Targeted short-term mental health therapy.
4. Self-care education for adults.
5. Presurgical educational intervention with adults.
6. Brief counseling and advice to reduce alcohol use.
Get Connected! Toolkit (Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol, and Mental Health Resources) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16523
Alcohol, medication misuse, and mental health problems can be significant issues for older adults. This kit is designed to enable their service providers to undertake health promotion, advance prevention messages and education, and provide screening and referral for mental health problems and the misuse of alcohol and medications. The kit includes a coordinator’s guide and program support materials such as education curricula, fact sheets, handouts, forms, and resources.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): The Basics (CD Rom) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17296
This mini CD—consisting of slides and accompanying notes—provides the latest and most accurate information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD. The CD includes essential facts on what FASD is, how it’s caused, how many people have it, and much more.

Quick Guide for Clinicians Based on TIP 47, Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17615
This pocket-sized booklet concisely presents information from TIP 47, including the principles of intensive outpatient treatment (IOT), the services offered, treatment engagement, clinical issues and challenges, and the approaches used in IOT.

TIP 46: Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment  http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17440  This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP), Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Outpatient Treatment, was written to help administrators address the changing environment in which outpatient treatment programs operate. The TIP provides basic information about running an outpatient treatment program, including strategic planning, working with a board of directors, relationships with strategic partners, hiring and retaining employees, staff supervision, continuing education and training, performance improvement, outcomes monitoring, and promotion of the program to potential clients, funding agencies, and government officials. More specialized sections address challenges that have emerged and gathered importance in the last decade: preparing a program to provide culturally competent treatment to an increasingly diverse client population and succeeding in a managed care-dominated world by diversifying the funding sources a program draws on.

TIP 45, Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17398
TIP 45 provides lists and tables related to such topics as initial evaluation domains for clients in detoxification, guidance on assessment and rehabilitation planning, and the management of intoxication and withdrawal from specific substances or substance groups such as alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and opioids.

 TIP 44: Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System  http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17183
Research consistently demonstrates a strong connection between criminal activity and substance abuse; research also finds that involvement in substance abuse treatment reduces recidivism for offenders who use drugs. This TIP presents clinical guidelines to assist counselors in dealing with problems that routinely arise because of their clients’ status in the criminal justice system.
 

At the swearing-in of a judge friend of ours yesterday a man gave a speech about “The Silver Bullet” to end crime, hatred, drug use and a whole host of maladies.  In his mind this silver bullet is how we treat our children.  Do we make them feel loved, valued and important.  Although that is true, I disagree that how we treat our children alone will solve the worlds ills.  We cannot love and cherish our children until we love and cherish each other.  Our children learn by watching us.  If we treat other grownups with honesty, compassion and integrity, and approach problems with courage and conduct our lives with faith, hope and discipline…not only will we be treating our children with respect and love, but we will be treating others with the same respect.    How much better do you feel when you are honest with other people.  How much do you appreciate it when someone makes you feel respected?  Too often we get caught up in our day to day hassles.  Jesus told us that what we give we get back 10-fold.  Other religions believe in Karma.  Whatever you call it, try  this…Put a quarter beside your bed.  In the morning, flip it.  If it is heads, diligently try all day to be kind, helpful, smile at others, have compassion and faith in your fellow man and see the glass as half-full instead of half empty.  Really go out of your way to avoid having negative thoughts or getting caught up in negativity.  Oh yes, and do not expect anything in return.  Do this even if you get up on the wrong side ofthe bed.  Maybe especially if you get up on the wrong side of the bed.  There is a saying in 12-Step communities “Fake it ’til you make it.”  Do this activity. Force yourself to fake being in a good mood and just the nicest person anyone could hope to meet.  See how you feel at the end of the day.  When the quarter lands on tails, do your normal routine.  After a week or so you should have tried it both ways several times.  Although spreading goodness and sunshine can be exhausting, do you feel happier, more content, like you did your little part to better the world?

Welcome to my blog. I am a mother of 3.  I run an online and phone based private practice and provide continuing education to addictions and mental health counselors.  I have a PhD in counseling and education, am an ordained christian evangelical minister and a licensed clinical psychotehrapist.

I believe that we always have room to grow and, by taking a personal inventory each day we can more effectively stay grounded and grow in a positive direction.  I hope you join me in my adventure to practice what I preach