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Adolescent and adult substance abuse problems take a heavy toll on families, communities and young lives. National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (September) offers an opportunity to focus our efforts - as a community and a county - on prevention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. Tioga County youths have significant levels of substance abuse, particularly alcohol, marijuana and tobacco, compared to the national average - Communities That Care Youth Survey - Spring 2000.
Each year, many people do recover. This is due to community-based substance abuse treatment programs, such as those offered by the Tioga County Human Services Agency (TCHSA), coupled with support groups and the encouragement of family, friends and the community at large, including: educators, employers, individuals working in the criminal justice system, members of the faith community, health care professionals, policymakers and insurers. Examples of their ‘realistic’ support are: their role in timely intervention, motivating the abuser to start and stay with treatment, and supporting that person throughout his/her efforts to maintain sobriety. The value of this support cannot be underestimated.Family members and friends of individuals with alcohol and/or other drug problems also need ongoing support programs and services to help them cope with the addiction, understand and deal with the recovery process, and support their loved one’s efforts to get well. Myths: "Nothing can be done unless the alcohol or drug abuser wants to stop," and "They must hit bottom," that is lose health, job, home, family, "before they will want to get well."Fact: The truth is that with alcohol and other drug problems early recognition and treatment is possible and essential. Addiction, now defined as a chronic, relapsing, medical illness that involves a number of brain chemistry disorders, can be successfully treated. Treatment for addiction is as successful as treatments for other chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. In the past, drug dependence has been treated like an acute illness, one that can and should be "cured" virtually overnight. This is an unrealistic expectation. Recovery is an on going process.Substance abuse treatment is also cost-effective. Research shows that every $1 invested in addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft alone. When savings related to health care are included, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1. For example, Blue Cross/Blue Shield found that families’ health care costs dropped by 87% after treatment. Treatment has also been found to increase employment, decrease homelessness, and reduce risky sexual behaviors. The good news is that addiction treatment is available and effective. The bad news is that 60% of those with addiction problems do not receive any treatment. This is because community members choose to look the other way rather than to participate in early intervention efforts and do not support the abuser’s efforts to recover. Recovery is truly a shared community responsibility. Student Assistance Program Focuses on Intervention
Once you recognize you have an addiction problem, where do you go for help? The Tioga County Human Services Agency (TCHSA) offers drug and alcohol case management services, as well as outpatient assessment and counseling services. Case Management Services Drug and alcohol case management (support) services are available free of charge to adolescents, ages 12 and older, and adults with addiction problems. Depending on the wishes of the person involved, these services may be provided in the home or in other community settings anywhere in Tioga County. Case management services include a ‘listening’ ear and referral to other ‘support’ services such as: addiction assessment, job training, tutoring, day care, financial planning, etc. To learn more about case management services, call (570) 724-5766 or toll free 1-800-242-5766.
Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Counseling Services TCHSA’s drug and alcohol outpatient program gives each individual an opportunity to start rebuilding his or her life, one day at a time. Assessment and counseling services are available to adolescents, 12 and older, and adults. Professional assessment and counseling services for those addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs are provided by certified addictions counselors at the Elkland Family Resource Center and the St. James Complex in Mansfield. Therapists work with the individual and the family. Since an addiction relates to all aspects of the individual’s life - school, work, family - treatment involves educating the family about addiction and helping the individual understand why he/she is addicted. Adults may self-refer or family or friends may refer adolescents and adults. Participants do not have to leave school or their jobs to keep appointments. Assessment and counseling appointments can be scheduled during the day or evening to meet school or work schedules. Some or all costs of assessment and/or treatment may be covered, depending on the individual’s employer, third party insurer, or income eligibility for government sponsored health programs. Payment options are also available. Strict guidelines are followed to ensure confidentiality. Assessment and counseling services are provided at: Tioga Counseling Services St. James Complex, Suite 109 Mansfield, PA (570) 662-7600 or toll free 1-800-242-5766
Elkland Family Resource Center 117 Coates Avenue, Elkland, PA (814) 258-7551 or toll free 1-800-242-5766
Free Information and Presentations are Available in Tioga County The Tioga County Human Services Agency’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program is a free educational service that provides information and presentations on substance abuse prevention for Tioga County residents, including parents and community groups. Our goal is to help people of all age groups live drug-free and develop healthy habits for life. Our services include: n Classroom Presentations - Our prevention specialists provide accurate, up-to-date information on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, inhalants and over-the-counter medications to students in their classrooms. We’re also available to talk with students, teachers and parents on a variety of age appropriate, life skill topics related to substance abuse, such as peer pressure, decision-making and consequences.n Community Workshops - We work with schools, churches and other community organizations to help design and implement programs on alcohol and drug abuse awareness and give presentations on prevention to parenting groups.n Youth Training Programs - Our staff members train high school students to act as junior prevention specialists in local elementary schools. Using our "people puppets," our junior helpers present free drug and alcohol prevention puppet shows and conduct prevention lessons for schools and youth organizations throughout Tioga County.n Prevention Resource Room - We offer a wide variety of books, pamphlets and videos on substance abuse prevention. These materials are available for use by students, teachers, community groups and other interested area residents. The Prevention Resource Room is located at our offices at the St. James Complex, in Mansfield.For more information about Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program Services, call: (570) 662-7600 or toll free, 1-800-242-5766.
Communication: The Key to Prevention The best way to prevent a drug problem from ever beginning is to provide an environment of open and honest communication. Try these tips for successful communication: Be calm. Anger can cloud your ability to communicate rationally. Give your undivided attention. Don’t interrupt or pass judgment. Concentrate on understanding rather than always offering advice. Repeat what is said if you need to. Be aware of body language. Not only your child’s or loved one’s body language, but also your own, and send positive messages. Speak for yourself. Emphasize your feelings. Begin sentences with "I" rather than "You." Be firm. Family rules, behavioral expectations and likely consequences need to be communicated and agreed upon by all family members.
The sooner an alcohol and/or other drug problem is recognized, the easier it is to stop it. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of abuse is the first step toward getting help for an individual in need of treatment.
Look for sudden changes in mood and behavior, such as:
Substance Abuse Web Sites More information on substance abuse prevention and treatment is available at the following web sites:
Alcoholics Anonymous www.aa.org
Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc. www.al-anon.alateen.org
American Council on Alcoholism www.aca-usa.org
Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace www.drug/freeworkplace.org
Join Together www.jointogether.org
Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information www.health.org
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence http://www.ncadd.org/
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism www.niaaa.nih.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse www.nida.nih.gov
National PTA Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Project www.pta.org
National Directory of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment Programs www.samhsa.org
U.S. Department of Education Safe and Drug-Free Schools www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS
What To Do About It Do’s & Don’ts • Don’t panic or blame yourself. • Do self-examine, consider the example you’ve set.• Don’t be sarcastic, accusatory or sympathy seeking.• Do express concern and understanding.• Don’t be swayed by denials if you have hard evidence.• Do be firm, stick to established discipline.• Don’t try to sway your loved one with emotional appeals.• Do present the evidence calmly and rationally, without giving your loved one a chance to lie.
If you suspect that your loved one is using drugs, question everything. Monitor what he or she is doing as much as possible.
If you feel you have strong evidence and decide to intervene, wait until your loved one is sober. Call on other family members or friends to support you in the confrontation, if necessary.
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Studies
show that all areas of America, including Tioga County, are touched by
addiction. Substance abusers are at increased risk for serious health
problems, criminal activity, automobile crashes, lost productivity in
the workplace, and difficulties at school. They are not the only
casualties. Their families, friends, and communities also suffer. But
help is available, and recovery is possible when everyone works
together. That is the focus of this year’s Recovery Month national
theme -"We Recover Together: Family, Friends, and Community."
The
Student Assistance Program (SAP), a school-based intervention program
for seventh through 12th graders, provides a link to supportive services
for students with drug and alcohol or mental health problems. SAP teams
are composed of teachers, staff and community health and human service
professionals. The Tioga County Human Services Agency’s (TCHSA) mental
health and drug and alcohol program specialists serve as team advisors,
providing consultation, education and referral assistance. TCHSA staff
members are available to meet with students and their families to
determine the need for outside treatment. The suggested services are
strictly voluntary, and both the student and his/her parents must
consent to the referral services offered. The SAP team maintains strict
guidelines to ensure confidentiality of both students and their
families. Anyone may refer a student to the team by calling the school
which the student attends. Schools that are involved include: Liberty
High School; North Penn High School, Blossburg; Mansfield High School;
Wellsboro Middle School; Wellsboro Area High School; Williamson High
School, Tioga Junction; Elkland High School; and Cowanesque Valley High
School. All referrals are reviewed. Our SAP representatives provide
consultation and referral services to the eight Tioga County SAP teams
in the participating Tioga County schools. Services are provided to
all schools free of charge.
uency
and drugs.
NYPUM
(National Youth Project Using Minibikes)
Where
Can I Go for Help in Tioga County?
Stop
the Cycle of Dependency