Share Family and Community Services' alcohol and drug program is hosting a drop-in education series. The program is open to everyone and offers important information for those who have an alcohol or drug problem, or for those concerned about their use. It will help those people affected by others' substance use to understand addicts and addictive behaviour.
There is no cost for this group, whose format consists of a video, a brief presentation and open discussion. Topics vary from week to week and the next sessions are outlined below:
Oct. 5: Relapse prevention - discussion on the psychological, emotional and physical aspects of relapsing and what can be done.
Oct. 12: Stress - learning how to cope with little and big problems without using.
Oct. 19: Anger - understanding your anger and learning how to manage it more effectively.
Oct. 26: Trauma - how substance misuse often occurs with people who have experienced childhood abuse. How these experiences may cause relapses or continued misuse.
Nov. 2: Drinking, drugs and driving - how the new laws will affect you. You will learn about blood alcohol levels, the .05 determining impaired drivers, and how drugs impair judgement.
Nov. 16: Mental Illness, depression and addiction - many people have a substance problem and are coping with mental issues. Understanding the links between the two issues will be the session's goal.
Nov. 23: Substance affected - how others' misuse or abuse of alcohol and drugs affects us and how to help others.
Nov. 30: Stage ll Recovery - life in the future.
All sessions take place on Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Share, second floor, 2615 Clarke St., Port Moody. For more information, phone 604-936-3900.
