The Seven Challenges ® Overview Robert Schwebel, Ph.D. Reclaiming Futures October 30,

Youth in the Early Stages of Change Don’t think they have a problem Don’t think they have a problem Don’t think their life would be better without drugs Don’t think their life would be better without drugs Don’t know what it takes to overcome a drug problem Don’t know what it takes to overcome a drug problem Don’t feel they could succeed Don’t feel they could succeed Not prepared to succeed Not prepared to succeed © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

The Mad Rush for Abstinence The mad rush is a frantic attempt to convince youth that drugs are dangerous, that they personally have been harmed by drugs, and that they must quit. The mad rush is a frantic attempt to convince youth that drugs are dangerous, that they personally have been harmed by drugs, and that they must quit. © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

Bad Outcomes from the Mad Rush for Abstinence Fakers (tell the adults what they want to hear) Fakers (tell the adults what they want to hear) Fighters Fighters –Aggressive fighters –Passive-aggressive fighter who play the game: “Go ahead, try to make me quit” Fleers: “Got no problem. No way I’ll quit. I’m out of here.” Fleers: “Got no problem. No way I’ll quit. I’m out of here.” Followers: Try to quit, but with narrow focus on quitting and not enough attention to co- occurring problems, often results in failure. Followers: Try to quit, but with narrow focus on quitting and not enough attention to co- occurring problems, often results in failure. © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

The Starting Point Start where youth are at, not where we wish they might be, not where they might pretend to be, and not where they might be for a fleeting moment in time. © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

COURTESY RELAPSE PREVENTION For youth under external pressure to quit For youth under external pressure to quit Not a counselor’s job to make you quit Not a counselor’s job to make you quit What do YOU want to do? What do YOU want to do? If an impulse to quit, we provide courtesy relapse prevention If an impulse to quit, we provide courtesy relapse prevention Whole hearted support for abstinence Whole hearted support for abstinence Impulse not confused with an informed and motivated decision Impulse not confused with an informed and motivated decision We work on two levels: for abstinence and for a foundation for success We work on two levels: for abstinence and for a foundation for success © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

Working Sessions We teach youth how to identify the issues that are most important to them, and have them bring these issues to sessions. We teach youth how to identify the issues that are most important to them, and have them bring these issues to sessions. Counselors identify other relevant issues and then bring activities to sessions or start discussions about these issues. Counselors identify other relevant issues and then bring activities to sessions or start discussions about these issues. We make The Seven Challenges part of the conversation. We make The Seven Challenges part of the conversation. © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

The Seven Challenges ® Counseling Skills Proactively undo the expectation that counselors’ job is to make youth quit: Youth are convinced we are there to make them quit, unless we undo this. It’s a set up for faking and fighting. Proactively undo the expectation that counselors’ job is to make youth quit: Youth are convinced we are there to make them quit, unless we undo this. It’s a set up for faking and fighting. Defer the decision (Decide after you think about it, not before) Defer the decision (Decide after you think about it, not before) Support clean and sober impulses with Courtesy Relapse Prevention Support clean and sober impulses with Courtesy Relapse Prevention Redefine success in smaller increments. (Make goals relevant and attainable.) Redefine success in smaller increments. (Make goals relevant and attainable.) Allow and encourage free discussion of drug benefits Allow and encourage free discussion of drug benefits © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

Validate reasons for drug use (Make connections between drug use and life circumstances) Validate reasons for drug use (Make connections between drug use and life circumstances) Redefine role as problem solving partner Redefine role as problem solving partner Defocus on drugs Defocus on drugs –Address co-occurring problems –Teach life skills Use finesse to get to harm without increasing defensiveness Use finesse to get to harm without increasing defensiveness Don’t play “try to make me quit” Don’t play “try to make me quit” Elicit youth concerns; tap their ambivalence (privately and secretly concerned, but resist treatment) Elicit youth concerns; tap their ambivalence (privately and secretly concerned, but resist treatment) Use caring confrontation Use caring confrontation Inspire hope & optimism & teach skills for a better future Inspire hope & optimism & teach skills for a better future © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

Implementation Problems Commitment of agency Commitment of agency Misunderstanding of training with EBP Misunderstanding of training with EBP Arguing and trying to control youth Arguing and trying to control youth Wanting to teach or lecture Wanting to teach or lecture Misunderstanding of EBP implementation Misunderstanding of EBP implementation Lack of trust that youth will work Lack of trust that youth will work Discomfort with asking youth what they like about drugs Discomfort with asking youth what they like about drugs Blaming Youth Blaming Youth Work force deficiencies Work force deficiencies Staff turnover Staff turnover © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

Implementation Improvement Clearer Agreements Clearer Agreements More materials to help implement More materials to help implement More training More training Immediate support on phone calls Immediate support on phone calls Leader Training Leader Training Help with supervision strategies Help with supervision strategies Materials for QA Materials for QA Use of website Use of website © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.

CONTACT INFORMATION Sharon Conner, Director Sharon Conner, Director Seven Challenges Program Services Seven Challenges Program Services (520) (520) © 2008 Robert Schwebel, Ph.D.