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Addiction Talks for Schools and Colleges - Information 

Understanding Addiction

Chris has developed three individual talks explaining the what, who and how of addiction, as well as how gaming, social media and vaping for example is having a negative impact on the youth, particularly in regard to behaviour. When a habit used as a coping mechanism becomes an active addiction. These talks explain what addiction is in it many forms, how to recognise addiction, what to do when a student shows signs of active addiction and how to prevent addiction from becoming active through connection and communication.

"The Sleeping Tiger"

For students from Grade 7 to Grade 12

  • The disease of addiction is a chronic mental illness not a weakness.

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Introduction​

  • Welcome and provide background information on my personal journey through addiction

  • The importance of understanding addiction and making positive choices to prevent it

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Understanding Behavioural Changes

  • The symptoms of behavioural changes related to addictive behaviours

  • The opportunity to ask the question "why" in relation to their own addictive behaviours

  • The importance of recognising the root causes of addictive behaviour.

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Causes of Addiction

  • What causes addiction and the power it can hold over individuals

  • The connection between coping mechanisms and addiction

  • The value of identifying alternative choices as a means of avoiding addiction

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Recognising the Signs of Addiction

  • Examples of how habits can become uncontrollable

  • The signs that indicate that one may be developing an addiction

  • The importance of taking action to prevent addiction before it becomes uncontrollable​​

 

Connection and Communication

  • The value of connection and communication with trusted individuals

  • How opening up and talking about internal pain can help to prevent addiction

  • How to  form connections with parents, teachers, mentors, or trusted individuals

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Radical Authenticity

  • The concept of radical authenticity and how it relates to addiction

  • The importance of surrendering the outcome and taking uncomfortable steps towards recovery

  • How to embrace radical authenticity and take positive steps towards recovery

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Conclusion

  • Summary of the key points discussed throughout the presentation

  • how to  seek help if they are struggling with addiction

  • Suggested resources and support for those seeking help or further information

 

Where to begin:

Radical Authenticity.   Surrendering the outcome.   Doing uncomfortable work.

"The Tiger in the Room"

For the parents of the students. 

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Understanding and Preventing Addiction

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Introduction

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  • Welcome the parents and establish the purpose of the presentation

  • Highlight the importance of understanding addiction as a chronic mental health disease

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Definition of Addiction

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  • Explain the definition of addiction as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), NACNA, and NIAAA

  • Emphasise that addiction is a registered chronic mental health disease

  • Highlight the significance of recognising addiction as a legitimate health issue

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Behavioural Changes and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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  • Behavioural changes associated with addictive behaviours

  • Similarities between addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Examples of how these behaviours may manifest in children

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Enabling and Parental Role

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  • Unintentional enabling of addictive behaviour's by parents

  • The concept of rescuing and how it can contribute to addiction

  • Strategies for parents to avoid enabling their child's compulsive needs

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Prevention of Active Addiction

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  • The importance of early intervention and prevention

  • Ways in which parents can prevent their child from developing addiction

  • Promote open and honest conversations as a means of preventing active addiction

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Building a Connection and Communication

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  • The significance of connecting with children on a deeper level

  • Encourage parents to have open conversations without fear, shame, or guilt

  • The benefits of sharing past and present events, circumstances, and traumas

  • The importance for the creation of a safe and confidential environment for children to express their struggles

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Establishing Trust and Love

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  • The importance of forming a positive and trusting relationship with children

  • Listen, identify, and not judge or reprimand their child

  • The significance of unconditional trust and love in preventing addiction

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Conclusion

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  • Summary of the key points discussed throughout the presentation

  • Encourage parents to implement the presented strategies in their daily lives

  • Resources and support for parents seeking further assistance.

 

Where to begin:

Radical Authenticity.   Surrendering the outcome.   Doing uncomfortable work.

"The Tiger in the Room"

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"Who let the Tiger out?"

For teachers and related staff.

Understand the disease of addiction: The who, the why, the what and the how.

Introduction

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  • Welcome and provide background information on my personal journey through addiction

  • The importance of understanding addiction and making positive choices to prevent it

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Personal Journey with Addiction: 

  • Sharing your own experience with addiction, detailing the stages before, during, and after.

  • Exploring how addiction affected your life and the lessons learned from it.

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Recognising Indications of Active Addiction:

  • Identifying the initial signs of addiction, both in terms of behavioral and physical changes.

  • Discussing the compulsive and obsessive nature often associated with addiction symptoms.

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Causes and Manifestation of Addiction:

  • Delving into the factors that lead to the start of addiction.

  • Explaining how addiction manifests and describing its characteristics when fully active.

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Escapism as Coping Mechanism:

  • Exploring why individuals turn to escapism as a way to cope with negative feelings triggered by life experiences, circumstances, and traumas.

  • Discussing how this desire for a quick fix is related to escaping from painful emotions.

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Creating Positive Connections with Students:

  • Teaching teachers how to initiate open, honest conversations with students.

  • Encouraging an environment of trust, where students can share their pain, experiences, and traumas without fear of judgment or shame.

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Healthy Coping Mechanisms - Connection and Communication:

  • Promoting healthy coping mechanisms through connection and communication.

  • Emphasising that fostering positive relationships and open dialogue can act as a powerful deterrent to addiction.

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Getting Started: Radical Authenticity and Uncomfortable Work:

  • Encouraging teachers and staff to practice radical authenticity, being open and genuine.

  • Emphasising the importance of surrendering the outcome and being willing to do uncomfortable work to connect with students effectively.

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Where to begin:

Radical Authenticity.   Surrendering the outcome.   Doing uncomfortable work.

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