Lesson 11.3: Treating Alcohol Use Disorders

Overview

This lesson focuses on understanding if a person could have an alcohol use disorder and supporting people to get the help they may need.

Learning Targets

  • LO11: Define what an alcohol use disorder is and how it is diagnosed.
  • LO12: Describe three of the most common reasons for teen alcohol use disorders.
  • LO13: Explain what outpatient treatment is.
  • LO14: Summarize what a residential treatment center is.
  • LO15: Identify what a student assistance program does.
  • LO16: Discuss how family members can be involved in a teen’s treatment program.

Preparation

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Open the Lesson 11.3 PowerPoint slides or make copies of the Lesson 11.3 Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 11.3 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Where Can I Go for Help?.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Journal Question: List everything you know about treatment for an alcohol use disorder. Then write questions related to treatment that you would like to have answered.
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 11.3 Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 11.3 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Where Can I Go for Help?

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 11.3 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Where Can I Go for Help?.
  2. Have students work individually to complete the worksheet.
  3. Ask students to pair up and share their responses.
  4. Place the worksheet on the document camera or copy the chart onto the board.
  5. Have students share their responses and complete the chart as a whole class.
  6. For each shared response,
    1. discuss how valid and reliable the agency appears to be;
    2. discuss if the agency’s information provides specifics about the agency and what they do or if the focus is on testimonials from past clients; and
    3. determine if each agency’s website been updated within the last year and discuss why an updated website is important.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Create a flyer announcing a student assistance program for teens who drink alcohol and for teens who want to support their friends who drink. Include statistics and other facts to signal the dangers of drinking and the benefits of a student assistance program. Include concepts that would make a student assistance program a safe space for students.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Define what an alcohol use disorder is and how it is diagnosed?

    An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition in which a person’s drinking causes distress or harm. A person answers 11 questions about their drinking habits over the past year, and the number of “yes” responses determines if their diagnosis is mild, moderate, or severe.

  • Describe three of the most common reasons for teen alcohol use disorders?

    The first is genetics, especially for teens who have a close relative who has an alcohol problem, because these teens may be more predisposed to alcohol use. The second is psychological factors, especially for teens with mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The third is social factors, which can include having friends who regularly drink: media portraying alcohol use with having fun; and the influence of peers, family, and other role models.

  • Explain what outpatient treatment is?

    An outpatient treatment center allows students to go to school and live at home, but they have to attend counseling on a predetermined basis set by a substance abuse counselor or mental health therapist. Counseling may include individual, group, mutual support group, or a student assistance program.

  • Summarize what a residential treatment center is?

    A residential treatment center requires the person to live full time in the center for the length of their treatment. Treatment length depends on the person’s progress. Treatment may include individual and group counseling, and therapeutic and educational activities. These programs are structured and individualized.

  • Identify what a student assistance program does?

    Substance abuse counselors are brought into the school and meet with students individually or as a group on a weekly basis. These programs provide early alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention and intervention services to students and families; referrals to community services; assistance in getting students back into school if they have been suspended for substance use; and informational workshops for guardians, school staff, and community members about how to assist students in need.

  • Discuss how family members can be involved in a teen’s treatment program.

    Programs teach family members about the alcohol use disorder and look at how family dynamics may help or hurt the alcohol user once they return home. Many teens who have an alcohol use disorder come from families where alcohol is a problem, and getting the family involved in the treatment program can be helpful for everyone.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

Take It Home

If someone in your family has an alcohol use disorder, talk to your family about how everyone can be involved in the person’s treatment program. Create a list of ways each family member can support the person with the alcohol use disorder.