PRESENTATION:
A 2014 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association indicates that adolescents report out the highest perceived stress level of all age groups in America. New imaging systems signify specific conditions that exist in the brain only during adolescence. New insights into the adolescent brain indicate higher levels of emotionality and lower levels of emotional competencies. This new research, combined with the availability of street, over the counter, and prescription drugs makes adolescence a vulnerable, high risk time of life. Exploring these complexities has generated better understanding of the way in which adolescents perceive themselves, their behaviors, and the world around them. Participants in this workshop will explore the connections between kids and drugs, the motivation for these connections in light of new research, and discuss possible prevention, intervention and treatment strategies for adolescents. Objectives: to review recent research on the adolescent brain; understand the impact of testosterone and estrogen on the brain and on emotional intensity; identify specific pathways related to risk taking and reward in the adolescent brain; explore new research identifying structural and chemical changes in the brain caused by drugs; and discuss the application of these findings to prevention, intervention and treatment efforts.
CPS Category:
ATOD, Prevention Practice and Theory CRSW/LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 2, 5, 13-18 NASW: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category 1) & Psychologists Category A
PRESENTER:
Michael Nerney is a consultant in Substance Abuse Prevention and Education, with over 32 years’ experience in the field. As the former Director of the Training Institute of Narcotic and Drug Research, Inc. , his responsibilities included the management of a statewide training system which delivered more than 450 training programs to substance abuse treatment and prevention professionals annually. Mr. Nerney’s particular areas of expertise include psycho-pharmacology, adolescent chemical dependency, relapse prevention, gender differences in communication, and managing violent incidents. He has written both participant and trainer manuals for various related topics. Mr. Nerney’s understanding of adolescent issues is drawn from twelve years’ experience as a teacher and coach at the junior high and high school levels. He went on to add four years’ experience in the chemical dependency field as a substance abuse counselor and Director of the Drug Abuse Prevention Council in Hamilton County, NY. He is a certified instructor in violence prevention and management with the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). Mr. Nerney served as the consultant in the development of the learning centers for the Eckert Drug Quiz Show in New York. He has been a consultant for 2 of the major television networks and has appeared on the ABC program “20/20”.
Fee:
Student Assistance Professionals may attend for free. NHADACA Members: $35; Non-Members $45; NASW CEUS $5 Lunch will be on your own.
For registration information contact: Kim Hyslop, 603-225-7060.