Addiction Myths
Alcohol Myths
Cocaine and Other Stimulants
Common Excuses
Definitions
Drug Dependency
Enabling Behavior
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs of Alcoholism / Substance Abuse
Steps to Providing Help

Addiction Myths

Myth: Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of will power.

Fact: Prolonged exposure to substance abuse alters the brain, which results in powerful craving and a complusion to continue use. These brain changes make it extremely powerful to quit by sheer force of will.

Myth: Addiction is a disease, there is nothing you can do about it.

Fact: Addiction is a disease, but you are not helpless against it. Brain changes associated with addiction can be treated through therapy, medication, exercise, and 12-step programs.

Myth: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better.

Fact: Recovery can begin at any point in the addiction process. The longer the abuse, the stronger the addiction, and the more difficult the treatment. Don’t wait until someone has lost everything to offer support.

Myth: You can’t force someone into treatment, he or she has to want help.

Fact: Treatment doesn’t have to be voluntary to be successful. As an individual sobers up, his/hers thinking clears, and many sober addicts want to change even if treatment wasn’t voluntary. However, the ultimate choice for recovery is up to the addict.

Myth: Treatment didn’t work before so there is not point in trying it again.

Fact: Recovery from addiction is a long process that often requires a setback. Relapse does not mean the treatment has failed. It is a signal the addict needs to go back to treatment or adjust the treatment approach.

Alcohol Myths

Myth:Alcohol is predominantly a sedative or depressed drug.

Fact: Alcohol’s pharmacological effects change with the amount consumed. In small quantities, alcohol is a stimulant. In large quantities, alcohol acts as a sedative. However, in all amounts, alcohol provides a rich and potent source of calories and energy.

Myth: Alcohol has the same chemical and physiological effect on everyone who drinks.

Fact: Alcohol, like every other food we take into our bodies, affects different people in different ways.

Myth: Alcohol is an addictive drug, and anyone who drinks long and hard enough will become addicted.

Fact: Alcohol is a selectively addictive drug. It is addictive for only a minority of its users; namely, alcoholics. Most people can drink occasionally, daily, even heavily, without becoming addicted to alcohol. Others (alcoholics) will become addicted no matter how much they drink.

Myth: Alcohol is harmful and poisonous to the alcoholic.

Fact: Alcohol is a normalizing agent and the best medicine for the pain it creates, giving the alcoholic energy, stimulation, and relief from the pain of withdrawal. Its harmful and poisonous effects are most evident when the alcoholic stops drinking.

Myth: Addiction to alcohol is often psychological.

Fact: Addiction to alcohol is primarily physiological. Alcoholics become addicted because their bodies are physiologically incapable of processing alcohol normally.

Myth: People become alcoholics because they have psychological or emotional problems which they try to relieve by drinking.

Fact: Alcoholics have the same psychological and emotional problems as everyone else before they start drinking. These problems are aggravated by their addiction to alcohol. Alcoholism undermines and weakens the alcoholic’s ability to cope with the normal problems of living. Furthermore, the alcoholic’s emotions become inflamed both when he drinks excessively and when he stops drinking. Thus, when he is drinking and when he is abstinent, he will feel angry, fearful, and depressed in exaggerated degrees.

Myth: All sorts of social problems – marriage problems, a death in the family, job stress – may cause alcoholism.

Fact: As with psychological and emotional problems, alcoholics experience all the social pressures everyone else does, but their ability to cope is undermined by the disease and the problems get worse.

Myth: When the alcoholic is drinking, he reveals his true personality.

Fact: Alcohol’s effect on the brain causes severe psychological and emotional distortions of the normal personality. Sobriety reveals the alcoholic’s true personality. Myth: The fact that alcoholics often continue to be depressed, anxious, irritable, and unhappy after they stop drinking is evidence

Myth: The fact that alcoholics often continue to be depressed, anxious, irritable, and unhappy after they stop drinking is evidence that their disease is caused by psychological problems.

Fact: Alcoholics who continue to be depressed, anxious, irritable, and unhappy after they stop drinking are actually suffering from a phenomenon called “the protracted withdrawal syndrome.” The physical damage caused by years of excessive drinking has not been completely reversed; they are, in fact, still sick and in need of more effective therapy.

Myth: If people would only drink responsibly, they would not become alcoholics.

Fact: Many responsible drinkers become alcoholics. Because it is the nature of the disease (not the person), they begin to drink irresponsibly.

Myth: An alcoholic has to want help to be helped.

Fact: Most alcoholics do not want to be helped. They are sick, unable to think rationally, and incapable of giving up alcohol by themselves. Most recovered alcoholics were forced into treatment against their will. Self-motivation usually occurs during treatment, not before.

Myth: Some alcoholics can learn to drink normally and can continue to drink with no ill effects as long as they limit the amount.

Fact: Alcoholics can never safely return to drinking because drinking in any amount will sooner or later reactivate their addiction.

Myth: Psychotherapy can help many alcoholics achieve sobriety through self-understanding.

Fact: Psychotherapy diverts attention from the physical causes of the disease, compounds the alcoholic’s guilt and shame, and aggravates rather than alleviates his problem.

Myth: Craving for alcohol can be offset by eating high-sugar food.

Fact: Foods with a high-sugar content will increase the alcoholic’s depression, irritability, tension, and intensify his desire for a drink to relieve these symptoms.

Myth: If alcoholics eat three balanced meals a day, their nutritional problems will eventually correct themselves.

Fact: Alcoholics’ nutritional needs are only partially met by a balanced diet. They also need vitamin and mineral supplements to correct any deficiencies and to maintain nutritional balances.

Myth: Tranquilizers and sedatives are sometimes useful in treating alcoholics.

Fact: Tranquilizers and sedatives are useful only during the acute withdrawal period. Beyond that, these substitute drugs are destructive and deadly for alcoholics. (Source: Under the Influence by Dr. Milan and Ketcham)

Substance Abuse

Cocaine and Other Stimulants

Cocaine is a popular drug and can be seen in virtually every aspect of society. The percentage of first responders who engage in cocaine (experimentally or abusively) is not known.

In this section, we are going to focus on cocaine, which is a stimulant that has two main seemingly contradictory effects.

The effects of cocaine are pain and discomfort, which are reduced because of its impact on the central nervous system. This effect gives the person a feeling of well being. The person who takes cocaine perceives that his/her abilities are increased and self confidence rises.

The individual experiences hyperactivity, which is a common symptom in the early stages of abuse. Cocaine and stimulants are addictive and a person can build a rapid tolerance to them. This means over time, it takes more and more of the drug to achieve the euphoric effect.

Eventually, as with alchohol and other drugs, one will need more of the drug to feel normal. These drugs are also psychological addictive.

When the high wears off, the drug abuser feels restless, unable to concentrate, irritable, fatigued, and lazy. If the depression gets worse, one may become suicidal. Prolonged use of these drugs can lead to paranoia, severe depression, and irrational behavior. If a peer supporter suspects cocaine or stimulant abuse, he/she must watch for a co-worker’s drop in energy, along with the onset of depression and irritability, and then a sudden increase in enthusiasim and energy.

This could be due to the drug-induced effects. Over time the peer supporter will experience the co-worker talking about financial problems, which are due to supporting his/her habit. The co-worker may also start liquidating assets to support his/her habit.

As drug use becomes more chronic and tolerance builds up, the following may take place:

• The “high” periods become shorter and the “down” become longer
• Severe mood swings become increasingly noticeable
• Lethargy and fatigue are experienced during the work day.
• Increase in family problems
• Increase in financial problems
• Hypersensitivity
• Peer relationships deteriorate
• Work performance deteriorates
• Chronic nasal discharge
• A flushed appearance
• Hyperactivity, unable to sit still
• Nervous, fidgity movements
• Increase in irritability
• Decreasing periods of energy and productivity, longer periods of depression • Dilated pupils and increased sensitivity to light

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Substance Abuse

• Controlling (e.g., let’s skip the Christmas party this year)
• Enduring (e.g., this, too, shall pass)
• Waiting (e.g., God will take care of it)

Supervisors need to know that an informational system of resistance will prevent prompt identification and treatment of those employees with a drinking problem.
They may be characterized by the following:

• Sincere desire to protect and care for one’s own (characterized by enabling peer support behavior)
• Glamorization of drinking, especially in male
• Traditions – Don’t ask, don’t tell – Code of silence
• Stress relief from self-medication is harmless
• Need to debrief and socialize (watering hole, “CHEERS” mentality)
• Need for an atmosphere of total trust and support (turning a blind eye to inappropriate behavior)
• Traditions and ritual involving alcohol, sanctioned and informal (e.g., choir practice, office parties, etc.)
• After a drinking problem has been identified, co-workers commonly harbor unrealistic expectations that the drinker will work it out on his/her own and that the problem will simply go away.
  • – If he/she doesn’t want treatment, we won’t make him/her go or we can’t make him/her go.”
  • – Let him/her work it out his/her own way.”
  • – The alcoholic employee is transferred from assignment to assignment and the problem is ignored.

  Commonly found in co-dependent thought systems and existing in the work environment where an alcoholic is present (adapted from www.winternet.com): • Attention of others is focused much of the time on the alcoholic.

• Attention is focused on solving the alcoholic’s personal problems.
• Attention is focused on protecting the alcoholic.
• Mental attention is focused on manipulating the alcoholic to be compliant or fall in line with management’s objectives and goals.
• Fear of rejection by the alcoholic determines what others will say or do.
• Fear of the alcoholic’s anger determines what others say or do or what they don’t say or do.

Common Excuses

Denial is the primary psychological symptom of an addiction. It is an automatic and unconscious component of addictions. Addicts are often the last to recognize their disease. Unfortunately, many addicts continue to act out on their addictions while their world collapses around them. They have the tendency to blame everything but their addiction for their life problems. Sadly, most alcoholics and addicts never break through their denial and continue to use to the point of their impending death. There are many subtypes of denial.

They are as follows:
Denial “I don’t have a problem.” “Nothing is wrong; I am okay.”

Rationalization “I am under a lot of stress.” “It helps me sleep.”

Minimizing “It is only beer.” “I only drink on the weekends.”

Compensating “My job is stressful.” “It takes the edge off.”

Enabling “All my friends drink.” “My significant other does not think I have a problem.”

Projection “I don’t have a problem; you have the problem.” “I don’t have a problem; it’s my job.”

Intellectualization They get too much in their head about their problem.

Suppression “I didn’t really act like that last night.” “I don’t know why you think I am going to get in trouble; I don’t think I will.”

Withdrawing “I wasn’t happily married anyway.” “I never really liked my job, so I quit.”

Geographic escapes “My life is unmanageable. it will be better if I go to another department.” “I’d be better off if I moved to a different place.”

There are four essential factors to helping a person break his/her denial

1. The alcoholic must learn he/she has a disease
2. He/she must be given hope
3. He/she must feel the full weight of consequences of his/her disease even though it’s painful
4. The alcoholic must be presented with an inescapable “firm choice” between family, job, and drinking

Substance Abuse ?????

• – Fights or arguments about alcohol use
• – If married, threats of divorce

Legal

• – Traffic violations/DUI’s
• – Drunk and disorderly
• – Lawsuits caused by alcoholic
• -impaired judgment situations
• – Divorce proceedings

Social

• – Loss of friendships because of antisocial behavior
• – Decrease in hobbies and interests

Occupational

• – Absenteeism due to hangovers
• – Lost promotions due to poor performance
• – Threats of termination by employer
• – Loss of job

Physical

• – Numerous hospitalizations
• – Medical advice to stop drinking
• – Using alcohol as a medication
• – to get sleep
• – to relieve stress
• – to deal with emotional pain

Growing defensiveness

• – Vague and evasive answers
• – Frequent attempts to change the subject
• – Inappropriate effect

Definitions

There are several definitions for a peer supporter to know when talking about substance abuse. They are the following:

Substance Abuse (DSM-IV)

A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following (occurring within a 12-month period):

1. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use, substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school, neglect of children or household)
2. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)
4. Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights)

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestation. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with alcohol despite adverse consequences and distortions in thinking most notably denial (National Counsel on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction Medicine).

Addiction (Wikipedia)

The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.

Tolerance (Wikipedia)

Physiological tolerance or drug tolerance is commonly encountered in pharmacology, when a subject’s reaction to a specific drug and concentration of the drug is progressively reduced and results in the increase of concentration to achieve the desired effect.

Dependency (University of Maryland Medical Center)

Dependency occurs when a person needs a substance to function normally. Abruptly stopping the substance leads to withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal (Wikipedia)

Withdrawal is the group of symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in intake of alcohol or drugs.

Detox (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Detox is the body getting rid of a drug while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. It is the first step in drug treatment and should be followed by professional behavior treatments.

Drug Dependency

Drug dependency is usually expressed when a person has an overwhelming urge to use, regardless of the consequences.

Below are the signs of drug dependency:

Growing Preoccupation

• Anticipation of drug usage (e.g., keeping track of perscribed times for dosage)
• Growing number of physical complaints that would require more drugs to relieve them
• Growing need during times of stress

Growing rigidity and lifestyle

• – Particular time for drinking during the day
• – Self-imposed rules beginning to change
• – Limits social activities to those which involve drinking

Growing tolerance

• – “Wooden leg syndrome”/ability to hold liquor without showing it
• – Ingenuity in obtaining the alcohol without others being aware
• – Gulping drinks
• – Ordering stiffer drinks, “doubles, martinis”
• – Self-appointed bartender at social gatherings
• – Sneaking drinks
• – Drinking prior to social engagements
• – Purchasing liquor in great quantities
• – Hidden bottles at home, car, on the job

Loss of Control

• – Increased amount of blackouts
• – Drinking a larger quantity than planned
• – Binge drinking – Morning drinking
• – Repeated harmful consequences resulting from the alcohol abuse

Family

• – Broken promises involving decreasing alcohol use
• – Drinking too much during family rituals
• – Sacrificing financial needs for alcohol
• – Fights or arguments about alcohol use

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Substance Abuse

• More complaints and discipline
• Drinking or using on the job
• Physical and moral deterioration
• Unreliable judgment
• Avoidance of others, hides at work
• Begins associating with lower-quality people
• Loss of will power, may cause onset of lenghty binges
• Chronic fatigue
• Impaired thinking, memory loss
• Irrational and irresponsible behavior
• Unable to initate action, extreme indecisiveness
• Unable to work/all alibis exhausted
• Excessive risks
• Unnecessary heroics (just doesn’t care any more)
• Begins to abuse several other drugs
• Criminal activity

Alcohol Specific

• Growing preoccupation
  • – During daytime activities
  • – Vacations planned around drinking
  • – Growing involvement in drinking activities (bars)
• Growing need during times of stress
  • – On job
  • – Family problems

Enabling Behavior

Peer supporters may observe family, friends, and co-workers shielding the substance abuser from the negative consequences of the behavior. What starts out as caring for the person becomes necessary to protect him/her.

Examples of enabling behavior are as follows:

• Denying: “She’s not an alcoholic.”
  • – expecting the alcoholic to be rational
  • – expecting the alcoholic to control his or her drinking
  • – accepting blame
• Drinking with the alcoholic
  • – Justifying the drinking
  • – agreeing with the rationalizations (e.g., her job puts her under so much pressure)
• Keeping feelings inside
• Avoiding problems
• Keeping the peace
• Not talking about any conflict
• Minimizing (e.g., “It’s not so bad.”)
• Protecting the image of the alcoholic
• Avoiding talking about the problem
• Blaming
• Criticizing
• Lecturing
• Taking over responsibilities
• Feeling superior (e.g., treating him/her like a child)
• Controlling (e.g., let’s skip the Christmas party this year) • Enduring (e.g., this, too, shall pass)
• Waiting (e.g., God will take care of it)

Supervisors need to know that an informational system of resistance will prevent prompt identification and treatment of those employees with a drinking problem. They may be characterized by the following:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if someone is addicted to drugs?

If a person compulsively seeks and uses a substance despite negative consequences in areas such as relationships, finances, and work. While people who are addicted may believe they can stop at any time, most often they cannot and will need professional help.

How quickly can someone become addicted to a drug?

There is no way of knowing in advance how quickly a person can become addicted; however, a family history of addiction is a strong indicator. Drug addiction depends on a variety of factors, such as biology, age, gender, and environment.

Are there effective treatments for drug addiction?

YES! Treatment will vary for each person depending on the type of drug(s) being used. Research has illustrated 13 basic principles that underlie effective drug addiction treatment discussed in NIDS’s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide found at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/ principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/preface

Where can I find more information about drug treatment programs?

For referrals to treatment programs, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov. You can also reference contacts in this app under Referrals and select Addiction.

What is “detox” and “withdrawal”?

Detox is the body getting rid of a drug while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. It is the first step in drug treatment and should be followed by professional behavioral treatments. Withdrawal describes the specific symptoms that occur after long-term use of a drug is reduced or stopped suddenly. Many times, withdrawal can be easily treated with medications to ease the symptoms. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

As a supervisor, is there one indicator I should be concerned about that tells me a person has a problem with alcohol?

According to The Journal of Alcoholic Studies, the number-one indicator is absenteeism. It is estimated that of the one-half of those chronically absent, 80% will be an alcoholic. In cases of repeated absenteeism, management should be aware what they are seeing is not just an unresponsive employee.

What they are really dealing with is a disease. I only drink on weekends, or have a glass of wine at dinner. Does that make me an alcoholic?

No, however, if it is creating a problem in your life then you may want to consider an evaluation.

Does substance abuse only occur with illegal drugs?

No, alcohol is one of the primary substance that is abused. Another substance that is legal but very addicting is pain killers. You may be prescribed pain killers for an injury, but if you begin to take more than what is directed by your doctor, you will be on the steps of becoming addicted.

What does co-dependency mean?

Types of relationships are a type of relationship where one person supports or enables another person’s addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement. Among the core characteristics of codependency, the most common theme is an excessive reliance on other people for approval and identity.

If I never have hangovers, do I not have an alcohol problem?

This does not determine if you are an alcoholic. Generally, alcoholics become tolerant to high volumes of alcohl and will not have hangovers, but instead experience withdrawal if they don’t have drinks at a certain time.

IWhat has been found to help the most when someone has a substance abuse addiction?

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia), the following have been found to be the best techniques:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy.. CBT can help addicted patient overcome substance abuse by teaching him/her to recognize and avoid destructive thoughts and behaviors.
• A cognitive-behavioral therapist can, for example, teach a patient to recognize the triggers that cause his or her craving for drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, then avoid or manage those triggers.
• Motivational interviewing. This therapy technique involves structured conversations that help patients increase their motivation to overcome substance abuse by, for example, helping them recognize the difference between how they are living right now and how they wish to live in the future.
• Contingency management. Using this method, addiction counselors provide tangible incentives to encourage patients to stay off drugs.
• Those rewards might include offering cash, clinical privileges, work at a steady wage or even restaurant vouchers for each clean drug test.
• Although these rewards might seem small in comparison with the force of addiction, studies have found that carefully structured contingency management programs can help people stay clean.
• Pharmaceutical treatments that either mimic the effects of the drug in a controlled way (such as methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction or nicotine chewing gum for cigarette addiction).

What is binge drinking?

• Brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more
• Women = 4+ drinks consumed within 2 hours
• Men = 5+ drinks consumed within 2 hours

What does it mean to get drunk?

• Result of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
• Binge drinking typically results in acute intoxication

How do I know if I have a drinking problem?

• If it causes trouble in
  • – Relationships
  • – School
  • – Social activities
  • – How you think and feel
• Consult health care provider if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one

What health problems are associated with excessive alcohol use?

• Excessive drinking is associate with health problems:
  • – Chronic diseases
  • – Pancreatitis
  • – Various cancers
  • – High blood pressure
  • – Psychological disorders
  • – Violence Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • – Alcohol abuse or dependence

Substance Abuse

How does alcohol affect a person?

• Liver metabolizes alcohol; excess alcohol circulates the body
• Impacts every organ
• CNS depressant
• Amount consumed determines intensity

What is a standard drink in the U.S.?

• 14.0 grams (0.6 oz.) of pure alcohol
• Generally found in
  • – 12 oz. beer
  • – 8 oz. malt liquor
  • – 5 oz. wine
  • – 1.5 oz. or “shot” of 80 proof distilled spirits or liquor

Is beer or wine safer to drink than liquor?

• No
• One 12 oz. beer is the same as one 5 oz. glass of wine or a 1.5 oz. shot of liquor
• Amount consumed, not type of liquor is what counts

What does moderate drinking mean?

• Women = One drink per day
• Men = Two drinks per day
• Not recommended anyone consume more frequently

What do you mean by heavy drinking?

• Women = more than one drink per day (on average)
• Men = more than two drinks per day (on average)

Alcohol FAQ’s What is Alcohol?

• Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
• Produced by fermentation
• Intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine and liquor

Signs of Alcoholism / Substance Abuse

Below is a description of the different signs that can alert a peer supporter to alcoholism or other substance abuse. It is difficult and inappropriate to diagnose substance abuse on the basis of deteriorating work performance. Many of these signs can be due to stress, relationships problems, personal problems, along with substance abuse. It is also important for the peer supporter to keep in mind that some of the signs may be applicable for one person but not another. Experiencing any one symptom is not necessarily suggestive of a problem; however, multiple symptoms may warrant a professional referral.

Visible Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

• Inconsistent work pattern
• Lowered productivity
• More mistakes through inattention, forgetfulness, and poor judgment
• Increased sick days, especially before and after days off
• Increased tardiness to work
• Beginning of memory blackouts
• Signs of relationship problems
• Growing pre-occupation with the substance
• Growing rigidity in lifestyle, irritability, temper outbursts, aggression • Growing tolerance of substance
• Loss of control
• Significant changes in physical appearance
• Increased complaints and disciplinary actions
• Difficulties in peer relationships
• Excessive use of mouthwash, mints, cough drops, or chewing gum to disguise alcohol on breath
• Avoidance of peer supporters (fear of discovery)
• Longer meal breaks
• May work half a shift and not return after lunch
• Loss of peer credibility due to inappropriate statements
• Avoids talking about problems
• Less neatness in dress and appearance
• Personal hygiene deteriorates
• Sick leave abuse
• More accidents off the job
• Exaggerates medical complaints
• Obvious signs of drinking (e.g., hangover, red faced, glazed eyes, shakes, slurred speech)
• Family member calls in sick for him/her
• Smell of alcohol on breath or clothes
• Increased defensiveness relative to work deficiencies
• More elaborate alibis for poor performance

Substance abuse can become chronic and eventually take over a person’s life. There are more severe behavioral changes a peer supporter may observe in someone who has a chronic substance abuse problem, such as: • Radical deterioration of familial relationships

• Work significantly deteriorates
• Unreasonable resentments
• Indefinable fears (paranoia)
• More complaints and discipline

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Substance Abuse

• Increasing dosage and/or different drugs
• Ingenuity in obtaining the drug without others being aware
  • – seeking out a variety of physicians or dentists without informing them about each other
  • – attempting to get refillable prescriptions
  • – use of several drug stores
• Using the drug for longer than the original time prescribed
• Using several drugs in combination of the synergistic effect (e.g., alcohol and barbituates)
• Protecting the supply
  • – Purchasing more before current supply is gone
  • – Storing pill bottles at home, work, and the car

Loss of Control

• Increasing blackouts and memory distortion
• Larger and more frequent dosages than prescribed
• Continuous dosages
  • – Red pill every three hours
  • – Blue pill every two hours
  • – Green capsule twice daily, etc.
• Repeated harmful consequences resulting from drug usage
  • – Family problems
  • – Legal problems
  • – Loss of friendships
  • – Anti-social behavior
  • – Work problems
  • – Increase in physical problems

Steps to providing Help

Confronting an addict is a very hard thing to do. A peer supporter should consult with a mental health professional on how to go about confronting the co-worker. There are times that an intervention can be done by a peer supporter with the guidance of a mental health professional.

Consider the following if you are considering a peer support intervention:

Time your intervention

• “Shaming” addicts for their use and using behavior is counterproductive
• Creates barriers to recovery
• Greatly complicates the recovery process once it has begun
• Addicts feel enormous shame as it is
• Addicts medicate shame, fear, anger, and pain
• Increasing the burden of shame can lead to overdose and/or suicide
• The best time to talk to an addict is after a problem has occurred, such as an argument or an accident.
• Choose a time when the addict is sober and you have to opportunity to talk in private.

Be specific

• Tell the addict that you are worried about him/her.
• Use examples to show how his/her addiction has caused problems in life.
• Focus on the most recent incident that spurred the intervention.

State the results

• Explain what you will do if he/she does not get help. This is not meant as a form of punishment but as a way to protect yourself from knowing he/she has an addiction and not doing anything about it.
• Do not make threats.
• Do not make statements that you are not prepared to carry out.

Get assistance

• Gather information about treatment options available for your co-worker
• Call immediately for an appointment with a mental health professional
• Take him/her to the appointment

Call on a friend

• A friend or peer supporter who is a recovering addict may be persuasive.
• A friend or peer supporter who is caring and non-judgemental may help disarm the addict.
• An intervention of more than one person may be needed to encourage the addict to seek professional help.

Find strengh in numbers

• With the help of a mental health professional, peer supporter, family, or friend, the confrontation may be more successful.
• This approach should only be tried under the guidance of an experienced professional.

Get support

• Remember: as a peer supporter, you are not alone.
• Seek out support groups that hold regular meetings
  • – Al-Anon: for friends and family members of the alcoholic
  • – Nar-anon: for friends and family members of the drug abusers
  • – Al-ateen: for children of addicts

Types of support and treatment

• Meet with a peer supporter
• Support meetings
• In-patient facilities
• Out-patient facilities
• Therapy
• Visit with a chaplain
• Attend a 12-step program
• Participate in the SMART Recovery program (http://www.smartrecovery.org)
• Get involved in Police and Fire AA Fellowship

(Refer to the Three-Stage Model in the Crisis Intervention section. (For specific contact information, refer to Referral section on the bottom right of the screen.)

DO NOT SHIELD HIM/HER FROM THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS/HER BEHAVIOR.

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Addiction Myths
Alcohol Myths
Cocaine and Other Stimulants
Common Excuses
Definitions
Drug Dependency
Enabling Behavior
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs of Alcoholism / Substance Abuse
Steps to Providing Help