Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 1 of 19 Objectives Identify three treatment options for people who abuse drugs. Name three steps you can take to stay drug free. Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 2 of 19 Dear Advice Line, My friend Greg tried methamphetamine at a party a few months ago. Soon he started doing it regularly. He gets defensive and aggressive when I ask him if he needs help. I’m scared to talk to him anymore, but I want to help. What advice would you give Greg’s friend? How can she help Greg?

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 3 of 19 Before a person can be helped, the person needs to acknowledge that he or she has a drug problem. Treating Drug Abuse The next step would be for the person to explore possible treatment options.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 4 of 19 Many abusers deny their behavior; others deny the underlying problems that led them to drug abuse. Acknowledge the Problem Signs of Possible Drug Abuse

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 5 of 19 Treatment options for drug abusers include Explore Treatment Options detoxification therapeutic communities supervised medication Programs exist for family members trying to understand their loved one’s drug problem. Some drug treatment programs are available at little or no cost.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 6 of 19 A person who enters a detoxification program undergoes gradual but complete withdrawal from the abused drug under medical supervision. Detoxification Detoxification programs include counseling to help people deal with their abuse and cope with the underlying problems.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 7 of 19 A therapeutic community (thehr uh PYOO tik) is a residential treatment center where former drug abusers live together and learn to adjust to drug-free lives. Therapeutic Community Therapeutic communities provide both medical care and counseling.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 8 of 19 A third treatment option involves replacing the abused drug with a drug that produces some of the same effects, without the “high.” Supervised Medication Because methadone and other drug replacements can cause dependency, a trained professional must carefully monitor treatment and slowly lower the dosage.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 9 of 19 Practicing refusal skills, seeking help when you need it, and getting involved in drug-free activities can help you stay away from drugs. Staying Drug Free

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 10 of 19 Resisting Peer Pressure bag of jelly beans set of five role-playing cards per group Materials

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 11 of 19 Resisting Peer Pressure Do not discuss your role with other group members Imagine that you are at a party with friends. Spend five minutes thinking about your assigned role and how you will act during the imagined party. At your teacher’s signal, begin acting out your role with the other members of your group. Your teacher will distribute a different role-playing card to each group member. Form a group with four other students. Try This

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 12 of 19 Resisting Peer Pressure How might player 3 have felt about eventually giving in? How do you think player 1 felt about pressuring all the other players? What refusal skills will you use to resist pressure from friends to use drugs? How do you think player 4 felt being pressured to eat the jelly beans? Explain how you felt playing your role during the imagined party. Think and Discuss

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 13 of 19 To be effective, be sure to clearly state your personal reasons for not wanting to take drugs. Refusing Drugs “No thanks — I want to keep a clear head.” “I don’t want to become addicted.” “I don’t do drugs.” If the person offering you drugs continues to pressure you, take a definite action and remove yourself from the situation.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 14 of 19 If you decide that the stresses and problems in your life are too much to manage, find someone to talk to. Seeking Help parents teachers friends siblings school counselors school nurses members of the clergy A second option is to call a national drug-abuse hotline.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 15 of 19 Engage in physical activity. Physical activity boosts your mood and relieves the negative effects of stress. Alternatives to Drugs Volunteer. Helping other people can give you a good feeling about yourself, too. Join a youth group. Participating in a youth group can give you a sense of belonging and a connection to others.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 16 of 19 Vocabulary therapeutic community A residential treatment center where former drug abusers live together and learn to adjust to drug-free lives.

Section 17.4 Choosing to Be Drug Free Slide 17 of 19 End of Section 17.4 Click on this slide to end this presentation.