Aim:

This education programme aims to increase and develop participant’s knowledge and understanding of the social, psychological and physical aspects of alcohol use by the clients of drug treatment agencies.

We also aim to raise awareness of the consequences of the concurrent use of the most commonly prescribed drugs for this client group and alcohol.

Learning Objectives:
On completion of the programme participants will be able to:

• identify their own and society’s attitudes to alcohol and those with alcohol problems
• understand different types of alcohol products, the various methods of quantifying strengths of alcohol and daily benchmarks
• understand how alcohol works in the human body and it’s impact on body functions
• Identify the most common drugs prescribed for ex-drug users and their interactions with alcohol
• understand assessment tools that can be used in alcohol screenings
• identify harm reduction measures and advice that can be used with clients

Supporting DANOS Standards:

AA1: Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists
AA3: Enable individuals to find out about and use services and facilities
AA4: Promote people’s equality, diversity and rights
AB1: Support individuals when they are distressed
AB2: Support individuals who are substance users
AB5: Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users
AC1: Develop your own knowledge and practice
AD1: Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
AF3: Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment

Sample Timetable

09.30 Welcome and introduction

09.45 Icebreaker

10.00 Alcohol an introduction

10.45 Coffee

11.00 Physical Impact of Alcohol Use

12.00 Alcohol Attitudes and Myths

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Interactions with Alcohol

14:20 Alcohol Assessment Tools - Practical Exercise

14.45 Tea

15.00 Harm Reduction

15.30 Case Studies

16.20 Evaluation

16.25 Final round

16.30 Close

Who is this programme suitable for?

This Healthwise Training Services programme is aimed at anyone who wants to increase their knowledge and understanding of alcohol as used by ex-drug users, users in treatment and clients engaged with services around their drug use. This includes anyone new to working with drug users, experienced drug support workers, voluntary workers etc.

It requires no previous knowledge on behalf of the participants, will also serve as a refresher for those who do have a basic knowledge and aims to provide new information for anyone who attends.

This programme is constantly updated and refreshed to maintain a current agenda. If you would like a particular area highlighting or a news item discussed and explored as part of this day please contact us.

All participants completing this Healthwise Training Services programme will receive a certificate of attendance and a comprehensive portfolio of information for future reference in a binder.

To talk about commissioning this programme for your agency please contact us or click here to e-mail any enquiry