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

2. 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

3. 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…

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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.

10. MYTH 2
DRUGS HELP PEOPLE TO ESTABLISH FRIENDSHIPS

11. 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

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

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

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

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

16. Myth 3
PEOPLE GET USED TO A DRUG

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. How is getting used to a drug a sign of addiction

21. 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

22. MYTH 4
DRUG USE SHOWS INDEPENDENCE

23. 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

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

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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

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

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

32. DENIAL TYPE 2
DRUG USERS MAY DENY INJURY FROM DRUG USE

33. DENIAL TYPE 3
DRUG USERS DENY THEIR EFFECTS ON OTHERS

34. 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

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

36. 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?

37. 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