YoDAA Who is a typical AOD client
It is hard to pin point “who a typical AoD client” would be. There are so many individual things that make each client different, their gender and identity, age, religious beliefs, and socio economic backgrounds. However at times there are clear similarities in which young people suffer from a psychosocial vulnerability such as mental health, family conflict, health problems or trauma. To understand “who a typical aod client is” better watch this video.
Patterns of drugs use
Something that can be hard to wrap your head around is that there are different patterns of substance use and that there is no “typical pattern” of use for young people. Most young people will experiment with substances without it becoming an issue that requires specialist attention. In this video there are 5 categories in which a young person’s substance use can be defined. If you are still unsure about where your young person might be, give YoDAA a call.
Why is a young person using drugs or alcohol?
Understanding the many different reasons why a young person might be using substances is incredibly powerful. Some young people might use substances for recreational and social reasons, while others might use them to help them sleep or overcome trauma. Asking a young person why they are using ensures that you gain a better understanding of what is going on for the young person, check out this video on understand why a young person might use substance.
What if a young person refuses to talk about drugs or alcohol?
Getting a young person to open up about their substance use can be difficult at times. Sometimes a change in direction of conversation or even changing how the conversation is being delivered can change the outcome. This video helps come up with ways to think outside the box when it comes to communicating with young people.
What if a young person I care for doesn’t want to change their drug use?
YoDAA believes that there is a lot that can do be done for a young person using substance. Get to know the current environment the young person is in and is it one in which change is supported. It is important to remember that there are many steps to take before reaching the end goal, watch this video or drop us a line.
Tips for talking to a young person about their drug use for the first time.
There are a few key principles that we at YoDAA employ when discussing substances with young people. To learn more about how to start that conversation and how and where to have it check out this handy video or drop YoDAA a line for some support.
Will a young person’s life be ruined if they take drugs or alcohol?
One thing that we know is a young person with connections to family and community have a greater chance of overcoming substance use. Increasing a young person feelings of safety and support and connection to school or work are seen as protective factors for them. Watch our video that explores protective and risk factors in young people.
How can I get a young person I care about into detox or rehab?
There are lots of different services for young people experiencing issues with substances which are voluntray services. Allowing a young person to make the choice to attend a service is going to yield the best outcomes for them as it is their choice and they have the time to plan for it. Give YoDAA a call and they can help match a young person with a program depending on where they are on their path or watch this video explain how to get a young person in to detox and rehab.
I found out a young person I care for is taking drugs….now what?
No matter what stage a young person’s substance use is at there is always hope! While it is easy to jump to conclusions about a young person’s substance use, it is important to check in with your emotions and not pass them on. If you are unsure where to start give YoDAA a call, we can help you plan a conversation with a young person or start with this video.
How do I keep a young person I care for safe?
There are lots of ways to ensure that your young person remains safe if they choose to use substances. Allowing open and honest communication between yourself and a young person is a good start. . If you are after more guidance on how to keep your young person safe watch YoDAA’s helpful video or get in touch with us.
Boundaries and consequences
Boundaries and consequences are normal to adolescent development, so when working with families/ carers it is useful to visits this idea with them. Understanding what the key tools are to deliver effective boundaries and consequences is helpful to share with families/ carers. To learn more about boundaries and consequences watch YoDAA’s insightful video here or give us a call.
What is YoDAA
Youth Drug and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) is a service run by YSAS for young people and their families/ carers. The YoDAA website is a simple and quick way to access youth AoD advice, information and up to date facts.
YoDAA Tailoring Support Options for Youth
Understanding the needs matrix in which we determine appropriate interventions for young people is important. It means that as workers we can determine which support services will be most useful to a young person. This video describes the cohort in terms of their substance use and vulnerability and looks at what the best supports options might be.
YoDAA Youth AOD Support Needs
Each individual who access an AoD support service is unique and should have their treatment tailored to them. In order to do this we need to understand what their severity of use is and the factors in which creates their vulnerability. This video helps to explain the levels and types of AoD interventions or response and how they can be tailored to an individual.