Pubdate: Sat, 02 Oct 2010
Source: Burnaby Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.burnabynow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1592
Author: Janaya Fuller-Evans

ADDICTED? CHECK OUT THIS SERIES IN THE CITY

Sessions Include: Pleasure To Problems And Family Dynamics

It is never easy to live with an addiction, or love and support
someone who does.

But Burnaby Addictions Services hosts a public education series that
can help those with substance abuse problems, and their friends and
family better understand the issues involved.

"For many individuals and families who experience substance abuse
difficulties, education and awareness is often the first step to
seeking further help," Steve Giannopoulos, addiction services
coordinator, wrote in an e-mail.

The education has been offered for many years, providing Burnaby
residents with information around the issues related to the misuse of
alcohol and other drugs, he added.

Burnaby Addictions Services has provided substance misuse outpatient
counseling to youth who are more than 12 years of age and adults
(including those 65 or older) for more than 25 years.

The education series is open to the public as well as clients, and is
free of charge.

An addiction services counsellor, Talino Bruno, leads the five
two-hour sessions.

Pleasure to Problems, on Oct. 6, looks at how substance abuse develops
and the consequences associated with each stage of use.

Chemicals and the Body, on Oct. 13, deals with the different
classifications of drugs and how each affects the body on a short and
long-term basis.

The Process of Change, on Oct. 20, looks at understanding the
different stages and supporting someone through the process of change.

Family Dynamics, on Oct. 27, shows the effect substance misuse has on
family members, and family circumstances and cycles that foster addiction.

Helping Others, on Nov. 3, helps attendees with communication
strategies, boundary setting, and making a plan when dealing with
someone's substance abuse problem.

Sessions run on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., at the
multi-purpose room for Burnaby Addictions at Burnaby Hospital, 3935
Kincaid St. For more information, call Burnaby Addictions Services at
604-453-1910.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D