S

ARC Under 18’s

Substance Misuse Programme

160A Sunshine Industrial EstateCrumlin Road

CrumlinDublin 12

Presented by: Jimmy Norman

Gender:

Male 53

Female 23

Age:

Range: 13 – 19

Average 16.6

Young Person Profiles(ARC Under 18’s - 2015)

66% Cannabis (Weed)

12% Alcohol

10% Benzodiazepines

6% Ecstasy

4% Cocaine

2% Headshop powder (Mephedrone)

Reason for Referral(Primary Drug)

42% Family

22% Social Work Depts (incl Care Homes)

12% Self

8% Community Services

6% Justice/ Probation

4% A&E

4% GP

2% Schools

Referral Pathway

Full Needs Assessment using Teen – Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI)

Care Planning (individual needs, Inter Agency, Social Work)

Treatment

Family Support - Family Therapy

Complimentary Therapies (Acupuncture, Massage, Mindfullness)

Consultation with DR Bobby Smyth MRCPsych – YoDA

Aftercare

Onward referral to other relevant services

Activities

Full Needs Assessment

Life Areas covered in assessment:

General Information

Substance Use

Education

Employment /Training

Family (Genealogy, Relationships)

Peer/ Social Relationships

Legal Status

Psychiatric

Bio, Psycho, Social Model (Philosophy)

Referral

Assessment (Young Person, Parent/Guardian)

Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA)

Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Targeted drug prevention/education

Family Support (5 Step Method) – Referral > Family Therapy

Aftercare – Lapse Management, Life Coaching

Complimentary Therapies (Acupuncture, Massage, Mindfullness)

Treatment

Adolescent Community Reinforcement

Approach (ACRA)

The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) acknowledges the powerful role of environmental contingencies in encouraging or discouraging drug use, and thus attempts to rearrange these contingencies.

ACRAThe goals of working with the individual are:

Promote Abstinence/ Reduce Use from drugs (using a harm reduction approach)

Promote positive Social Activities

Promote positive Peer Relationships

Promote improved Relationships with Family

ACRAThe goals of working with the Parents/

Caregivers are:

Motivate their participation in the ACRA process

Promote the adolescents Life Choices

Provide information about effective Parenting Practices

Offer Family Support

ACRATreatment Modules

Functional Analysis of Substance Use

Functional Analysis of Pro-Social Activities

Happiness Scales > Goal Setting

Communication Skills Training

Problem Solving Skills Training

Caregivers Sessions (Information, Communication, Parenting)

Adolescent/ Caregiver Relationship Skills

Relapse Prevention

Life Skills Coaching

Thank You

16 Year Old Male

Referred by father

Daily Cannabis User (on referral), Started age 13

Alcohol, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Benzodiazepine use past 30 days (during assessment) Started age 15

Drug debts to local dealers (intimidation - self and family)

Unstable accommodation (Living with mother + younger brother) Mother has mental health issues and problematic alcohol user - Father has access

Recent new peer group – Older (introduction to party drugs)

Final Year in school (place at risk due to non attendance)

Legal (recent caution for possession)

Psychiatric (suffers from session depression)

Case Study 1(Presenting problems)

ACRA (26 weeks)

Complimentary Therapies (acupuncture, massage, relaxation, and mindfulness)

Body and Mind group

Aftercare (Lapse management)

Support for leaving cert exams (Life Coach + Local College)

Job Seeking Skills

Case Study 1(Treatment)

5 Step Method (Coping Strategies)

ACRA (Caregivers sessions, - father)

Family Support

Consultation with Social Services

Case Study 1(Treatment – Family)

Cessation of party drugs

Cessation of weed use – occasional hashish user

Change of peer group

Moved into Father’s home (Full Time)

Completion of leaving cert exams (Pass)

Increase in pro social activities

Started employment as airplane cabin crew

Case Study 1(Outcomes)