strengths investigation and self understanding

in this project, the centre partnered with the sister margaret smith centre (smsc) in thunder bay to conduct a study entitled, strengths investigation and self understanding: predictors of engagement in adolescent use treatment.

the purpose of this research was to examine the effectiveness of an in-patient substance abuse program for adolescents that draws from the strengths perspective to enhance and establish cognitive-behavioural, harm-reduction, and motivational aspects of the program. this five-week substance use intervention program employed a cognitive-behavioural approach to substance abuse treatment, focusing on changing maladaptive behaviours through examining beliefs and values. the program used a harm reduction model and included group therapy, individual counselling, education sessions, life skills development, leisure and recreation opportunities and the introduction of self-help groups and relapse prevention work.

 the multi-disciplinary team consisted of the manager of the program, social workers, substance abuse counsellors, child and youth workers, a consulting cultural coordinator, a therapeutic recreationist, a gambling counsellor, a consulting child physician, a consulting child psychiatrist, and a consulting psychologist.

 one of the most novel and exciting aspects of this in-patient intervention was its utilization of a strength-perspective, which emphasizes and makes use of individual strengths to help meet personal treatment goals. from this perspective, youth are encouraged to view their strengths as a means to disengage from maladaptive behaviours, most notably substance use, and re-engage in more positive and adaptive behaviours.

 overall, youth participants who completed this in-patient strength-based substance use program were able to progressively work toward achieving their self-prescribed goals over the course of treatment and these goals were maintained during a 3-month follow-up.

 as a result of this program, the centre has developed a manual for strengths-based substance use treatment programs entitled a strengths intervention program for adolescents. if you are interested in a copy of this manual, please contact the centre at coespecialneeds@lakeheadu.ca or 807-343-8192