Myths and Denial Mrs. Worthy Gateway School Session 3 TND Myths and Denial Mrs. Worthy Gateway School

CHAMPS: Mrs. Worthy is Teaching Conversation H Help A Activity M Movement P Participation Answer and ask questions Raise you hand…I have a question. Complete Assignment Stay seated Follow directions, look up, write, pay attention

What is an example of a belief about drug use that people your age hold that may be unrealistic? Example: It’s okay to drive high, because I drive more carefully when I’ve been smoking weed than I do when I’m not smoking…

MYTH #1 DRUG USE PROVIDES EMOTIONAL PROTECTION FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which Part? Drug use allows a temporary escape from reality People who avoid facing problems feel uncomfortable They don’t deal with their problems

What makes this a myth? People don’t really escape, they just hide from reality Sooner or later, reality catches up with them

What would make people want to use drugs to “emotionally protect” themselves from the outside world? Drugs work quickly Social coping skills take time to learn

How long does a drug-induced “happiness” usually last? This type of happiness only last as long as the user is high

What is the difference between drug-induced “happiness” and natural state of happiness? Drug-induced happiness is usually based on a superficial or shallow experience that is perceived as funny. When the person is sober, the same incidents are not usually seen as funny. Some drugs do mimic a feeling of well being and happiness. However, once the person is sober, the effects of the drug disappear.

MYTH 2 DRUGS HELP PEOPLE TO ESTABLISH FRIENDSHIPS

Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part? Partying may involve a lot of social interaction, which can be fun

What makes this a myth? Drug related friendships are usually built upon mutual drug use

What types of friendships are established with drug use? Superficial friendships

Is it easier to start conversations and meet new people when high or drunk? Why or why not? Confident Comfort

Have you ever been the only sober person around people who are using? How were people behaving differently than when they’re sober?

Myth 3 PEOPLE GET USED TO A DRUG

Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part? At first people cough or get nauseated After a while symptoms stop The person may believe that this means that they have learned how to use the drug correctly

What makes this a myth? No one gets used to a drug Addiction is when you cant live without it or you use every day

What are some examples of getting used to a drug You don’t throw up or cough anymore

How is getting used to a drug a sign of addiction

Is it a myth that you can get used to other drugs, but not marijuana Is it a myth that you can get used to other drugs, but not marijuana? Why or why not? You can experience tolerance to marijuana, you can get addicted to it

MYTH 4 DRUG USE SHOWS INDEPENDENCE

Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part? It may look like a drug user is not under the influence of anything or anybody

What makes it a myth? Once a user becomes addicted to a drug, he/she is dependent on it

What does it really mean to be independent? Making good choices Not being dependent on others

In what ways do you think you can become dependent on drugs? Escape problems Emotionally stable Physically Dependent Experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you aren’t getting high

Do you think that TV shows and movies influence your views on whether drug use shows independence? If so, how? Over the age actors in movies Portrays drug use as COOL No consequences Looking cool, being independent in making own choices to use drugs

What do you think makes a person live in denial? Living in denial may be easier than admitting a drug problem. Also, people who use drugs sometimes reverse ‘cause’ and ‘effect’. For exmaple, they may say they use drugs out of boredom or to have fun, but in reality, they may be bored because they do drugs. Users may lose their creativity and their ability to find interesting drug free things to do

What are the benefits of living in denial What are the benefits of living in denial? What does a person get out of it? They don’t have to take responsibility for their own lives They pretend everything is ok

Four kinds of denial: Blame others Deny injury Deny effect on other Reinterpretation (change the story)

Denial Type 1 DRUG USERS FREQUENTLY BLAME OTHERS OR OUTSIDE SOCAIL EVENTS FOR THEIR DRUG USE

DENIAL TYPE 2 DRUG USERS MAY DENY INJURY FROM DRUG USE

DENIAL TYPE 3 DRUG USERS DENY THEIR EFFECTS ON OTHERS

DENIAL TYPE 4 DRUGS USERS REINTERPET BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO THEM, SO THAT THEY APPEAR TO BE POSITIVE, OR AT LEAST NOT SO BAD REINTERPRETATION= MAKING NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES SEEM POSITIVE

DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE IN DENIAL WHO BELIEVE MYTHS ABOUT DRUG USE ARE IN DENIAL?

WITHOUT MENTIONING NAMES, RAISE YOUR HNAD IF YOU KNOW OF A PERSON WHO IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THEIR DRUG USE WHAT DOES THIS PERSON DO TO MAKE YOU THINK THEY ARE IN DENIAL? DO YOU THINK THIS PERSON BELIEVES ANY OF THE MYTHS WE DISCUSSED?

SUMMARY A MYTH IS A FALSE BELIEF THAT JUSTIFIES AN ACTON DENIAL IS FILTERING OUT THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF A BEHAVIOR, LIKE DRUG USE, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OBVIOUS TO OTHERS