X Table of Contents Introduction 1.1 Gospel Centered Training 1.2 Maintaining a Clear Focus 1.3 Weekly Development Plan Discussion 1.4 Quarterly Development Plan Discussion 1.5 Master Your Role 1.6 The Cadence of Accountability 1.7 Utilizing the Blessings of the Lord's Storehouse 2.1 Accountability and Talent Improvement (ATI) 2.2 Using the Leadership Pattern as a Learning Tool 2.3 Lead Like the Savior 3.1 Disability Awareness 3.2 Substance Abuse: Causes of Addiction 3.3 Substance Abuse: Signs and Symptoms 3.4 Substance Abuse: Recovery 3.5 Managing Stress 3.6 The Hidden Rules of Two Economic Classes 4.1 Inspiring Others to Become Converted in the Doctrine of Work and Service 4.2 Using AWARE Form as a Tool for Development 4.3 Attendance and Punctuality 4.4 Accepting the Work Role 4.5 Preparing for and Responding to Change 4.6 Managing My Work and Work Needs 4.7 Accepting Supervision 4.8 Coaching Associates on How to Work with Their Coworkers 4.9 Increasing Productivity 4.10 How to Use the Life Skills Library 4.11 History, Foundations, and the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing 4.12 The Stages of Change in Motivational Interviewing 4.13 Reflective Listening 4.14 Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations and Summaries 4.15 Change Talk 4.16 Ambivalence and Rolling with Resistance 4.17 The ABCs of Behavior 4.18 Using Positive Reinforcement to Achieve Behavioral Change 4.19 Introduction to Behavior Modification 4.20 Behavior Modification: Correcting Poor Behavior 4.21 Behavior Modification: Prompting Good Behavior 4.22 How to Use Positive Attitude to Facilitate Change 4.23 Conflict Management 4.24 Decision-Making Skills 4.25 Problem-Solving Skills 4.26 Improving Performance 5.1 Incorporating Assessment Results in the Development Plan 5.2 Ethics 5.3 Maintaining Confidentiality 5.4 Writing Effective Case Notes 5.5 Business Partnerships 6.1 Honoring Agency While Influencing Behavior 6.2 Teaching Self-Reliance
Lesson 3.3

Substance Abuse: Signs and Symptoms

Lesson Preparation

Before coming to your training, please do the following:

  • Do some basic research about a specific drug or substance. Research the name of the drug, symptoms of abuse of that drug, and its long-term effects on users.
  • Review Deseret Industries policies on Substance Abuse and Drug Testing (Operations Guide 2, page 32)
 

Lesson Preview

Throughout this lesson, you will encounter personal stories or suggestions shared by others about how they have addressed issues related to addiction and recovery. These are shared to inspire you and provide suggestions on how to help your associates who are struggling with addictions. However, the Church does not endorse any specific approach to overcoming addiction. Remember that there is not one solution to addiction recovery. As you work with associates who are struggling with addiction, seek the guidance of the Spirit to know the best approaches to help with their addiction recovery.

In this lesson, you will continue to learn about substance abuse and addiction. You will specifically (1) identify common signs and symptoms related to substance abuse; (2) recognize long-term behavior indicative of continued substance abuse; and (3) learn to observe and approach associates with substance abuse problems in appropriate ways. As you seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost and become familiar with the content of this lesson, you will become more effective at helping associates who struggle with substance abuse.

Identifying Common Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

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Activity 1

Invite each attendee to share the information that he or she researched in preparation for today’s meeting. List the different drugs on the board, including the signs and symptoms of abusing that drug.

As a group, go over the signs of substance abuse. Then discuss:

  • Is there anything to add to any of the substances on the board?
  • What are some of the common signs and symptoms of substance abuse?
  • How are the signs and symptoms of substance abuse similar or different for each substance?
  • What questions do you have about signs and symptoms of substance abuse?
  • Why is it important for you to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of substance abuse?
  • How can being familiar with this information help you in your job? What does this information enable you to do?

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Activity 2

Watch the video, “Heroin Addiction,” which was created for the Let’s Face It! project based in Ohio. After watching the video, discuss the following questions as a group:

  • What are some of the environmental signs of heroin addiction?
  • What are some of the behavioral signs of heroin addiction?
  • What are some of the physical signs of heroin addiction?

Now discuss similar questions for the substances you researched before class. Use your research and any additional knowledge to discuss the following questions as a group:

  • What other substances are commonly abused?
  • What are the environmental signs of addiction for these substances?
  • What are the behavioral signs of addiction for each one?
  • What are the physical signs of addiction for each one?

Recognizing Long-Term Behaviors Indicative of Substance Abuse

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

Group Icon
Activity 1

Divide into small groups according to the substance that you researched in preparation for today’s meeting. Form a group with the people who researched the same substance you did. In your groups, discuss the following questions:

  • What are the long-term behaviors indicative of substance abuse?
  • What are the long-term effects of this drug’s abuse?

After finishing the discussion, each group should write on the board the name of the drug as well as the answers to the discussion questions.

Regroup with the rest of the participants and consider the information on the board as you discuss the following as a group:

  • Consider the lists on the board. What are some of the common behaviors and effects indicative of substance abuse?
  • What differences and similarities among the behavior and effects of substance abuse can you identify?
  • How can this knowledge help you in your current job?

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Activity 2

Individually take a look at the AWARE form. Use your experience, judgment, and research for today’s meeting to go over the AWARE form and mark the behaviors and attitudes that may be indicative of substance abuse. Then discuss your findings and impressions with the rest of the group. You could also discuss the following questions:

  • What are some of the common behaviors or attitudes indicative of continued substance abuse?
  • What are some of the behaviors or attitudes indicative of continued substance abuse?
  • How soon should you address a behavior related to substance abuse?
  • What are proper ways to address possible substance abuse among associates?
  • How can this knowledge help you in your current job?

Observing and Approaching Associates Who Have Substance Abuse Problems

From the following list, choose and complete one or more activities that best apply to your situation.

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Activity 1

Take a minute to review the Substance Abuse Observation and Action Plan Worksheet found in the “Lesson Resources” section, resource 1.

Consider an associate you are currently working with who may be struggling with substance abuse. Complete as much of the worksheet as you can about the associate. Then pair up and share what you completed from the worksheet with a partner. Together discuss ideas and possible action plans to help the associate you are concerned about overcome his or her challenges and addiction.

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Activity 2

What are appropriate ways to approach an associate who may have substance abuse problems? Divide in pairs and prepare a role-play addressing appropriate ways to approach an associate with a potential substance abuse problem. As you prepare think and discuss the following:

  • Consider how to apply the principles of motivational interviewing, behavior modification, or other style you feel comfortable with.
  • Focus on helping the individual feel safe enough to talk openly about his or her substance abuse with you.
  • Work with associates to explore how they would like to seek treatment for their substance abuse.
  • Offer to refer the associate to the development counselor and other resources that could be of assistance to them.

Perform the role-play and give each other feedback on the positive elements of the encounter and discuss things that you could improve on.

Ponder and Plan

“What Lack I Yet?”

Seek to identify a personal or business gap or need.

Spend a few minutes silently pondering what you've discussed during this lesson. Listen as the Holy Ghost helps you identify areas where you can improve. Record your impressions in your journal under the question “What Lack I Yet?”

“What Must I Do?”

Seek ways to close the gap or develop the required talent(s) to meet the need.

With the guidance of the Spirit, create your plan of how you will improve and close the gap(s) you have identified. You may use one or more of the exercises below, your own strategy, or a combination of both. Record this plan in your journal under “What Must I Do?”

  1. 1 Create a plan to become familiar with three commonly abused substances (consult your counselor). Execute your plan this week.
  2. 2 Seek to identify associates displaying behavior indicative of substance abuse.
  3. 3 Create a plan for how to approach such associates and consult with your development counselor about the plan.

After a few minutes, those who are comfortable doing so can share their impressions with the group.

“Therefore, What?”

Seek understanding, and then share what you learned.

During the week, focus on implementing the plan you created. Record your impressions or lessons learned in your journal under “Therefore, What?” You will be given time at the beginning of next week's lesson to share your experience with the group.

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. . . . We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us”

Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 86

Lesson Resources

Resource 1

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Additional Study Material

Use this material if you would like to learn more about signs and symptoms of addiction.