Back To the Future: The Adolescent Mind at
Work
COMBAT CONFERENCE
September 27, 2012
Presented by: Andrica Wilcoxen
Dave SullivanPaula Davis
Joycelyn Burgo
Workshop AgendaWorkshop Agenda
• A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste!
• How Substance Abuse Effects Learning, Intervention Strategies and Why This Is Important!
Ice BreakerIce Breaker
What What happens in happens in the brain?the brain?
• We feel good when neurons release DOPAMINE into the synapse.
• Synapse: when a signal is passed from one neuron to another
What happens in the What happens in the brain?brain?
• Dopamine crosses to the next neuron and binds to the receptors, providing a jolt of pleasure.
• Excess dopamine is taken back up to the sending cell while the nerve cell releases GABA that works to prevent the receptor nerve from being over stimulated.
What happens in the What happens in the brain?brain?
• Addictive substances/behaviors INCREASE the amount of dopamine in the synapse that heightening the feeling of pleasure.
• Addiction occurs when repeated drug use/addictive behavior disrupts the normal balance of the brain circuits that control rewards, memory and cognition ultimately leading to compulsive drug using/unhealthy behavior like sex addition/gambling/etc.
What happens in the What happens in the brain?brain?
More recent data now suggest that the release of dopamine can even be triggered by the environment associated with the reward, without the reward itself even having to be present! Dopamine would then be responsible for a whole set of behaviors designed to
obtain the reward.
Did you know….Did you know….
• Youth who begin drinking before the age of 18 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those youth who wait to drink until age 21.
• Girls are binge drinking more than boys.
• Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 teens die each year from alcohol poisoning.
• 1 in 8 adolescents are abusing/dependent on alcohol/drugs.
• 1 in 5 youth are directly impacted by someone who is chemically dependent.
Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth 2006
““Goggle” ActivityGoggle” Activity
Effective teaching strategies!Effective teaching strategies!
We tend to remember:10% of what we read20% of what we hear30% of what we see50% of what we hear and see70% of what we say– Participate in discussion/presentation
90% of what we SAY and DOSimulating or doing the real thingThe PROCESS of learning!!
Effective MethodologyEffective Methodology
“No matter how creative, colorful or exciting a lesson is, if the teacher’s brain is the ONLY one interacting
with the material, the teacher’s brain-NOT the
student’s brain-is the only one forming dendrites.”
*“The Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice” Patricia Wolfe
Academic Achievement Academic Achievement and Alcoholand Alcohol
• Increased alcohol use, especially average number of drinks per week, is related to decreased class attendance, poor test performance, and grades.
Kids & Counseling:Kids & Counseling:
“Why I do better when “Why I do better when I’m High?”I’m High?”
An Adolescent BrainAn Adolescent Brain
“ “Cokehead” Cokehead” ActivityActivity
Effective MethodologyEffective Methodology National/State Health
Standards
Skill Based
Brain Based
Cooperative Learning
Differentiated Instruction
Multiple Intelligences
Critical Thinking
Pyramid of Learning
Student Based vs. Teacher
Driven
Relevant and FUN!!!!!!
Tobacco Substance UseTobacco Substance Use
“Laboratory experiments confirm that nicotine alters the structure and
function of the brain within a day of the
very first dose.”-Dr. Joseph DiFranza
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Patterns of Co-Occurrence Patterns of Co-Occurrence
Among at Risk Behaviors Among at Risk Behaviors
(Grades 9-12)(Grades 9-12)
AddictionAddiction• Addiction is a chronic or
recurrent condition proposed to be precipitated by one or more of the following: genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors.
• Addiction is characterized by the repeated use of substances or behaviors despite clear evidence of morbidity secondary to such use.
• Example: 35 million smoker as attempt to quit every year, but only 7% achieve abstinent for one year!
Stages of Substance Stages of Substance UseUse
• A. Nonuse-no use at all• B. Experimentation - learning how the "fix" works.• C. Early stage/Misuse--using fix to get pleasure/high.
o 1. Few consequences from use of fix. o 2. Ability to control use of fix in most cases. o 3. Tolerance to fix increasing: can use more.
• D. Middle stage/Abuse--using to get relief from pain.o 1. Use of the fix becoming a problem/source of pain. o 2. Losing control over fix; adding new fixes. o 3. Discomfort when not using or moving toward a period of
usage. o 4. Emotional numbness, depression, mental preoccupation,
defensive. • E. Late stage/Addiction- using to obliviate
consciousness.o 1. Severe psychological/physical consequences. o 2. Many blackouts.. periods of dissociation from self/reality. o 3. Suicide, insanity, accidental death, physical sickness, prison.
Addition CycleAddition Cycle
Functions of Substance Functions of Substance UseUse
• A. Gives a temporary sense of pleasure or relief.
• B. Keeps one out of touch with inner turmoil/emotional pain.
• C. Provides "energy source" for maintaining oneself in a role.
• D. Provides a means to gain control over one's emotional experiences.
• E. Helps to maintain one in a "fixed identity."
Early InterventionEarly Intervention
Early intervention, when done correctly, is extremely effective in helping the substance abuser accept help and recognize how their behavior affects those around them.
VideoVideoParents Just Don’t Understand!
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW3PFC86UNI
“You are the agent of change, intervene early!”
THANK YOUTHANK YOUDave Sullivan
Executive Director, [email protected]
Joycelyn Tucker BurgoConsultant
Paula DavisProgram Director, ArtsTech
Andrica WilcoxenCommunity Prevention Specialist, KCKCC Regional Prevention Center
Questions / Questions / Feedback?Feedback?
Other DataOther Data
National Health Standards National Health Standards
20062006• Standard 1 – Students will comprehend concepts related to health
promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
• Standard 2 – Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors.
• Standard 3 – Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health.
• Standard 4 – Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
• Standard 5 – Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
• Standard 6 – Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal setting skills to enhance health.
• Standard 7 – Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce risks.
• Standard 8 – Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.
Prevalence of AdditionsPrevalence of Additions
1. Tobacco Addiction...71.5 million2. Alcohol Addiction...18.7 million3. Sex Addiction...16 million4. Food Addiction...4 million5. Drug Addiction...3.6 million6. Gambling Addiction...2 million
Time Magazine /July 2007
Drug AddictionDrug Addiction
• 3.6 million are dependent on drugs• 8,000 people try them for the first
time TODAY!• 700,000 are currently in treatment
for addiction• More than ½ first-time users are
female and younger than 18 years old
• Marijuana, cocaine and pain relievers are the leading drugs of abuse