This document outlines learning objectives and activities for a session on developing awareness of substance misuse. The session includes activities to identify reasons for using substances and factors leading to use, potential signs and symptoms of misuse including misleading signs, harmful effects and sources of support, how stereotyping may affect users, and media reporting and government responses. Students are split into groups to complete handouts matching drugs to effects and categories, listing factors for use, and signs of misuse. The harmful effects of substance misuse are discussed, as well as sources of help. Myths about addiction are debunked. The session aims to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes around substance misuse.

1. Understanding Wellbeing
Week 4: Develop an Awareness of
Substance Misuse

2. Develop an Awareness of Substance Misuse
 LO 1: Identify reasons for using (1.1) & factors from someone’s
background that may lead them to use (1.3)
 LO 2: Identify possible signs or symptoms (2.1) and give an example
of a sign or symptom that could be misleading (2.2)
 LO 3: Identify harmful effects and sources of support (3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
RECAP from homework
 LO 4: Identify how stereotyping may affect users (4.1)
 LO 5: Outline media reporting and public perception (4.2)
 LO 6: Give 3 sources of information on drug use (4.3), and outline
governmental responses (4.4)
Hand in Substance Misuse unit
Session 4 Objectives

3. Get yourselves in to 4 groups;
 You will be given a hand-out for your group
 Please keep the content of your hand-out private between your group
 Place yourself far enough away from other groups so that they are not
able to hear what you say (and talk quietly)
Complete your hand-out within your group – your responses will be shared
Icebreaker

4. What does this tell
us about first
impressions?
Would you be
surprised to
learn . .

5.  Work in pairs/groups of 3 to create a list of different substances
that people may use/misuse.
 You have 3 minutes to list as many as possible
 Winners will receive CHOCOLATE!
What do you already know?

6. There are many different types of substances that can be misused. The
following group task is designed to help you think about some of the most
commonly used/misused . Work together to match up:
Work together and help each other out – answers will follow
Activity 1 - Different types of drugs…
Picture
cards
Name
cards
Effects
cards

7. Almost all drugs that are commonly misused have an effect on the Central Nervous System
(CNS). Different drugs have different effects and can be grouped into the following categories:
Now try to group your card sets into the above categories. Note: there is an odd one out –
can you identify it?
Steroids – Is a physio active drug which affects the hormones rather than the
neurotransmitters like all the others.
Poppers – No longer classed as a Psychoactive substance
Activity 2 - Different categories of
drugs…
Category Name Category Effect (generally)
Depressant Slow down CNS activity – sedative like effect
Analgesic Use the endorphin system to block pain signals
Stimulant Speed up CNS activity
Hallucinogen Distort sensory perception

9. Generally speaking types of drug use and misuse can be grouped into the following areas:
1. Experimentation 2. Recreation 3. Dependent 4. Prescribed (1.1)
An individual’s decision to use drugs may stem from any number of factors…
Work together to make a list of potential factors from a person’s background that may lead them
to use drugs (1.3)
Activity 3 - Reasons for using…
Learned
Behaviour
(parents /
carers)
Social
Deprivation
(no jobs /
poor
housing…)
Mental /
Physical
Health
issues
Personality
type (risk
taking…) Trauma
(abuse /
war…)

10. Complete page 9
Workbook

11. Activity 4 - Signs & Symptoms
There are a variety of signs or symptoms that may accompany substance misuse. It can be helpful
to think about these signs and symptoms in 3 different categories:
1. Physical 2. Behavioural 3. Social
Work in groups to discuss and identify potential signs and symptoms of substance misuse in one
of the categories above… (2.1)
Physical Behavioural Social
Appearance of eyes Very chatty and loud Associating with users
Rapid weight loss/gain Aggressive / confrontational Becoming withdrawn
Evidence of injecting (track
marks)
Inappropriate (personal
boundaries)
Missing school / work
Excessive sweating Uncoordinated movement Attracting police attention

12. 15 minutes = Plenty of time for
a brew, chat, drink of water,
toilet visit 
BREAK TIME

13.  Marijuana: Glassy, red eyes; loud talking, inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; loss of interest,
motivation; weight gain or loss.
 Depressants (including Xanax, Valium, GHB): Contracted pupils; drunk-like; difficulty concentrating;
clumsiness; poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness.
 Stimulants (including amphetamines, cocaine, crystal meth): Dilated pupils; hyperactivity; euphoria;
irritability; anxiety; excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long
periods of time without eating or sleeping; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.
 Inhalants (glues, aerosols, vapors): Watery eyes; impaired vision, memory and thought; secretions from the
nose or rashes around the nose and mouth; headaches and nausea; appearance of intoxication; drowsiness;
poor muscle control; changes in appetite; anxiety; irritability; lots of cans/aerosols in the trash.
 Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP): Dilated pupils; bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression,
hallucinations; mood swings; detachment from people; absorption with self or other objects, slurred
speech; confusion.
 Heroin: Contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light; needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating;
vomiting; coughing, sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite
Warning signs of commonly abused
drugs

14.  MYTH 1: Overcoming addiction is a simply a matter of willpower. You can stop using drugs if you really
want to. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful cravings and a
compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit by sheer force of will.
 MYTH 2: Addiction is a disease; there’s nothing you can do about it. Most experts agree that addiction is a
brain disease, but that doesn’t mean you’re a helpless victim. The brain changes associated with addiction
can be treated and reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and other treatments.
 MYTH 3: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better. Recovery can begin at any point in the
addiction process—and the earlier, the better. The longer drug abuse continues, the stronger the addiction
becomes and the harder it is to treat. Don’t wait to intervene until the addict has lost it all.
 MYTH 4: You can’t force someone into treatment; they have to want help. Treatment doesn’t have to be
voluntary to be successful. People who are pressured into treatment by their family, employer, or the legal
system are just as likely to benefit as those who choose to enter treatment on their own. As they sober up
and their thinking clears, many formerly resistant addicts decide they want to change.
 MYTH 5: Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again. Recovery from drug addiction is a
long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that you’re a
lost cause. Rather, it’s a signal to get back on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the
treatment approach.
Five myths about drug abuse and
addiction

15. Discuss in small groups;
3 possible signs or symptoms which could be misleading and what
they may relate to instead of substance misuse (2.2)
Write some notes to present the information to the rest of the class
Some examples are… Loss of appetite with a medical problem,
mood swings with adolescence, needle marks with diabetics.
Activity 5 - Misleading signs or
symptoms:

16. Complete page 10
Workbook

17. Identify harmful effects and sources of support (3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
You needed to complete the work on Page 11 of your portfolio or
on a separate sheet of paper
We will share examples from information you found out
Re-Cap of homework task

18. Substance misuse can have many negative effects on the individual and on society. Sometimes
substance misuse causes problems, sometimes it exacerbates existing problems…
Harmful effects
Health & Wellbeing Social & Emotional Economic
Individual Damage to mental health:
depression, stress, anxiety
Risk of infection (blood borne
viruses)
Potential for addiction
Emotional instability
Impact on family – breakdown in
relationships
Problems at work or whilst
studying
Job loss
Rent arrears or mortgage
default (repossession)
Debt / no money for
essentials
Society Increase in levels of mental
illness (see above)
Increase in levels of physical ill
health (CHD, Liver disease)
Strain on primary care services
including A&E
Family break-ups & increased need
for Social Services
Increased levels of social
deprivation
Fear & mistrust in the community
Cost for Welfare system &
Social Services
Cost on health services
Cost for criminal justice and
regeneration
Total: £15.4bn per year

19. Fortunately there are places where people can go to get help and advice…
Where to get help…
Service Name / location Support details
Accrington
Integrated substance misuse service
offering community based treatments
Blackburn
Residential 12-Step rehabilitation facility
and aftercare service.
Drop-in centre for active users (separate)
Covers East Lancashire
Substance misuse service for young
people and their families

20. If you suspect that a friend or family member has a drug problem, here are a few
things you can do:
 Speak up. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and
support, without being judgmental. The earlier addiction is treated, the better.
Don’t wait for your loved one to hit bottom! Be prepared for excuses and denial
by listing specific examples of your loved one’s behaviour that has you worried.
 Take care of yourself. Don’t get so caught up in someone else’s drug problem
that you neglect your own needs. Make sure you have people you can talk to and
lean on for support. And stay safe. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.
 Avoid self-blame. You can support a person with a substance abuse problem and
encourage treatment, but you can’t force an addict to change. You can’t control
your loved one’s decisions. Let the person accept responsibility for his or her
actions, an essential step along the way to recovery for drug addiction.
When a loved one has a drug
problem

21.  Attempt to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
 Try to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that may only increase
feelings of guilt and the compulsion to use drugs.
 Cover up or make excuses for the drug abuser, or shield them from the
negative consequences of their behavior.
 Take over their responsibilities, leaving them with no sense of importance
or dignity.
 Hide or throw out drugs.
 Argue with the person when they are high.
 Take drugs with the drug abuser.
 Feel guilty or responsible for another's behaviour.
Adapted from: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information
Try not to...

22. Word association: ‘A drug user is…’
Complete the hand-out with words often associated with
drug users
What kind of impact might these negative stereotypes have an individual user?
Task: Find a media report that focuses on drug use and drug users.
Read the report and consider how it could affect public attitudes towards
drug users.
Complete 4.2 (p12) in full sentences. Attach a copy of your article if
possible. Use the internet to search for a suitable media report.
Activity 6 - Stereotyping & media
reports
Angry &
resentful
Isolated &
withdrawn
Less likely to
seek help
Rejected
Damaged self-
esteem

23.  Negative perceptions (e.g. users are criminals, users
have had a bad upbringing)
 Positive perceptions (e.g. recognising substance
misuse, availability of support and advice).
Effect of media reporting on
perceptions:

24. There are a variety of sources that can be used to find out about
the extent of substance misuse in society. In the UK these
include:
 NHS Information Centre
 Home Office Crime Survey for England & Wales (CSEW)
 Guardian & Mixmag Drug Survey
Page 13
Sources of information

25. Government Policy
Work in pairs and use the hand-out given to you. Read and understand the
information to be able to put it in your own words (Pg 13)
Policy: a legislative document setting out a coherent approach that agencies and
organisations can follow. This document will set out how the government intends to
deal with legal controls, treatment methods and educational targets.
Control: this relates to the legal framework that dictates laws relating to the
movement and use of drugs. The Misuse of Drugs Act is the main component in this
category. It outlines what drugs are illegal and provides sentencing guidelines.
Treatment: these are the measures put in place to help people who are using drugs
in a ‘problematic’ way. This can include community based and residential treatments.
Education: These are preventative measures put in place to try to improve people’s
knowledge and help them make better decisions about not using or using more
safely.

26. Ways to respond to substance misuse:
 Raise awareness of substance misuse, recognise signs
and symptoms, challenge stereotypes, provide advice
and support, provide treatment and rehabilitation.
In a nutshell…

27. 5 signs or symptoms of substance misuse
1 sign or symptom which might be misleading and why
3 sources of support for substance misuse
Recap

28.  Choose at least 4 different kinds/brands of alcohol (lager, vodka,
wine etc.)
 Find out and take notes on the % of alcohol, amount of units
(often found on the back) and the quantity (ml) of those
alcoholic drinks
 Bring your notes back in to class next week to share with others
and help you make a start on checking how many units are in 1
shot/glass/pint
Homework