3. How to talk to clients about substance abuse

A Guide to Addiction Information and Referral for Settlement Services Professionals

On this page:

• Drugs and the family
  • Preventing Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in the Family
  • Dealing with Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in the Family
• Drugs and the law

How to talk to clients about substance abuse

The following are suggestions on ways to talk to clients about substance abuse. These suggestions may need to be adapted to be culturally appropriate for individual clients.

One approach is to deal with the issue of substance abuse in the context of a primary problem such as family violence. Working from the perspective of a specific concern, it is possible to see if, and in what ways, alcohol and/or drug use might be a component of the problem. If a person reports using alcohol and/or drugs, he or she is asked a sequence of questions such as:

• When did you first use alcohol or drugs?
• Have you used in the last year?
• Has your use ever concerned you or other people?
• If so, who was concerned?
• Is it currently a concern?

Another way to approach alcohol and drug use is from a family perspective. Focusing on the immediate and extended family might be a safer opening than questioning individual use. Creating a family profile is often helpful in understanding your client. Ask the client to describe family beliefs and behaviours involving substance abuse.

Drugs and the family

The following are suggestions for clients on how to prevent and deal with alcohol and other drug problems. These suggestions may need to be adapted to be culturally appropriate for individual clients.

Preventing alcohol and other drug problems in the family

Talking about it:

When a family knows how to talk - and listen - to each other, serious problems like those related to alcohol or other drugs are less likely to develop.

Supporting each other:

Having someone to count on in a family can make a big difference. Showing love, listening, following through with promises, and being ready to help when asked - all of these are ways to develop support in the family.

Setting the rules:

A family works best when it sets rules and responsibilities for each member.

Being a good role model:

The things one family member does can have a strong influence on other members of the family. Children notice - and imitate - the way their parents, older brothers or sisters and other relatives handle alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Expressing feelings:

Everybody has feelings about other family members and about what happens in their family. Feelings themselves are not good or bad; what a person does with those feelings matters. Sometimes it is hard, but if a person speaks up and lets others know how he or she feels, it may help avoid misunderstandings and bring family members closer together.

Making time for each other:

In any family, it is important to spend time together. When a family shares interests and activities their ties grow stronger. However, sharing activities together does not just happen, family members have to work at it.

Dealing with alcohol and other drug problems in the family

Raising the issue:

When people have alcohol- or drug-related problems, they usually do not want to talk about them. Although it is hard to bring up the topic, it is important to try - and it may require more than one effort. It helps if family members support each other when talking to the person they are concerned about. If they do not feel safe talking to the person, they can get help from a professional in their community.

Solving problems together:

Problems happen in all families. What matters is how the family works together to solve them. It is important to use the combined strengths and skills of all family members especially when dealing with serious issues such as problems related to alcohol and other drugs.

Handling conflict wisely:

Conflicts and disagreements are part of every family relationship. Differences of opinion are not only natural they may even be healthy. What matters is the way families deal with disagreements about important issues such as drug use and whether these disagreements bring them closer together or drive them apart.

Knowing how to get help:

Alcohol and other drug problems create difficulties for the whole family not just the person with the problem. That is why everyone should feel free to seek help and support. At the same time, the family can encourage the person with the problem to get the help he or she needs.

Learning how to cope:

It is not easy being part of a family when there is a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Family members probably feel stressed, lonely and frustrated and there may even be days when they just want to run away from it all. These are tips to help family members cope:

• Remind them that it is okay to be angry and still love and care for the family member with the problem.
• Tell them not to take the blame for the family member’s problems with alcohol or other drugs.
• Remind them that they are not alone — other people like them are struggling with similar problems.
• Tell them not to protect the person with the problem. Making excuses, like calling in sick to an employer, is not helpful in the long run.
• Advise them to find a balance between helping and taking over.
• Encourage them not to think about their family problems all of the time. They can get involved in outside activities that will help them get on with their own lives: taking up a hobby, joining a club, playing sports or volunteering. They need to be good to themselves.
• Remind them that their own health, safety and well-being are important. Even if family members do not have alcohol or other drug problems, they may need support; they should be encouraged to ask for help if they need it.

Drugs an d the law

Cannabis, cocaine and heroin are illegal drugs. Possession or trafficking of these drugs results in a fine or jail term; the penalty depends on the drug, the amount of the drug and the activity. Laws also regulate tobacco and alcohol; for example, there are age restrictions for their purchase and consumption.

Drinking and driving is a criminal offence. The penalties for impaired driving (driving with .08 per cent or more blood alcohol content) or failing to provide a breath sample are:

Impaired driving

Minimum penalty:

First offence: $300 to $2,000 fine; three months to three years licence suspension
Second offence: 14 days to six months imprisonment; six months to three years licence suspension
Subsequent offences: 90 days to six months imprisonment; one to three years licence suspension

Impaired driving causing bodily harm

Maximum penalty:

Up to 10 years imprisonment; up to 10 years licence suspension
The court may impose a fine of any amount.

Impaired driving causing death

Maximum penalty:

Up to 14 years imprisonment; up to 10 years license suspension
The court may impose a fine of any amount.

In addition, a person found guilty of manslaughter or criminal negligence causing death can be sentenced to life imprisonment. The penalties outlined above are federal penalties but there are also minimum provincial penalties: a one-year licence suspension for the first offence; a two-year licence suspension for the second offence within five years; a three-year licence suspension for any subsequent offences within a five-year period. For more information contact your local police division.

The above information is taken from Back on Track: Ontario’s Remedial Measures Program for Impaired Drivers, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

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