Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs--treatment. The student recognizes and understands the options for treatment and how to seek help related to the use and misuse of alcohol; tobacco; drugs, including prescription drugs; and other substances

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.115.39.16 primary
  identify ways to support and assist someone who shows signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use and misuse.

Lesson Overview

This Grade 10 Health Education lesson focuses on recognizing signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use and misuse, and identifying ways to support and assist individuals showing these signs. Grounded in TEKS.115.39.16, students will learn practical strategies to help peers or family members, understand treatment options, and know how to seek help. The lesson includes direct teaching, role-playing, and reflection to build empathy and effective communication skills.

Learning Objectives

• Identify signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, or drug use and misuse in others.
• Describe ways to support and assist someone who shows signs of substance use or misuse.
• Explain how and where to seek help for someone struggling with substance use or misuse.

Success Criteria

• Students can list common signs and symptoms of substance use and misuse.
• Students can demonstrate supportive communication strategies through role-play.
• Students can identify local or school-based resources for treatment and assistance.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are, including the difference between use and misuse, and the general health impacts of substance misuse.

Key Vocabulary

• Substance use
• Substance misuse
• Signs and symptoms
• Support
• Treatment
• Addiction
• Recovery
• Referral
• Empathy
• Communication skills

Materials and Resources

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Role-play scenario cards
• List of local community resources for substance use treatment and support
• Handouts summarizing signs and symptoms and support strategies

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare a list of common signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and misuse.
• Develop role-play scenarios illustrating situations where a peer shows signs of substance misuse.
• Gather information on local or school-based treatment and support resources.
• Prepare handouts summarizing key points for students.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Substance Use and Misuse

Substance use refers to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs in a way that may or may not cause harm. Misuse occurs when these substances are used in a harmful, unsafe, or illegal manner. Recognizing the difference is important for identifying when someone needs help. Signs and symptoms of misuse can be physical, behavioral, or emotional changes that indicate a person may be struggling with substance use.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use and Misuse

Common signs include changes in appearance (bloodshot eyes, poor hygiene), mood swings, withdrawal from friends and family, declining academic or work performance, secretive behavior, and physical symptoms like nausea or tremors. Understanding these signs helps students recognize when a peer or family member might need support.

Ways to Support and Assist Someone

Supporting someone involves expressing concern in a non-judgmental way, listening actively, encouraging them to seek help, and offering to accompany them to a trusted adult or professional. It is important to respect their feelings and privacy while ensuring safety. Students should learn to avoid enabling behaviors and know when to escalate concerns to adults or professionals.

Treatment Options and Seeking Help

Treatment can include counseling, support groups, medical intervention, and rehabilitation programs. Students should be aware of community resources such as school counselors, health clinics, hotlines, and local treatment centers. Knowing how to access these resources and encouraging others to do so is a critical skill.

Communication Skills and Empathy

Effective communication includes using "I" statements, showing empathy, avoiding blame, and being patient. Role-playing scenarios help students practice these skills to support peers respectfully and safely. Empathy allows students to understand the struggles of those with substance misuse and respond appropriately.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Students analyze scenarios describing behaviors and decide if they show signs of substance misuse.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: List three common signs that might indicate someone is misusing alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
2. Developing: Describe one way you can support a friend who you think is misusing substances.
3. Application: Given a scenario where a peer is showing secretive behavior and declining grades, explain how you would approach supporting them and what steps you would take to help.
4. Analysis: Analyze why it is important not to blame or judge someone who shows signs of substance misuse when offering support.
5. Challenge: Evaluate how community resources and trusted adults can work together to support someone struggling with substance misuse, and propose a plan for connecting a peer to these resources.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Signs include bloodshot eyes, mood swings, and withdrawal from friends or family.
2. 2. You can talk to them privately with concern, listen without judging, and encourage them to get help from a trusted adult.
3. 3. I would express my concern privately using kind and non-judgmental language, listen to their feelings, suggest they talk to a counselor or trusted adult, and offer to go with them to get help.
4. 4. Blaming or judging can make the person feel ashamed or defensive, which may prevent them from opening up or seeking help. Supportive and empathetic communication encourages trust and willingness to accept assistance.
5. 5. Community resources provide professional treatment and support, while trusted adults offer emotional support and guidance. A plan includes identifying the peer's needs, discussing options with them, contacting appropriate resources like counselors or clinics, and ensuring the peer has ongoing support through trusted adults.

Guiding Questions

• What signs might indicate someone is misusing substances?
• How can you support a friend or family member who is struggling?
• What resources are available to help with substance misuse?
• Why is empathy important when helping someone?
• How can you encourage someone to seek treatment?

Common Misconceptions

• Assuming that all signs of substance misuse are obvious or the same for everyone.
• Believing that confronting someone aggressively will help them stop misuse.
• Thinking that only the person misusing substances can seek help without support from others.
• Assuming treatment is only for severe addiction and not for early misuse signs.
• Believing that offering support means enabling the misuse.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in role-plays and discussions to assess understanding of support strategies.
• Use questioning during activities to check comprehension of signs and symptoms.
• Review student reflections or exit tickets for accurate identification of resources.
• List two signs of substance misuse and one way to support someone showing these signs.
• Explain why empathy is important when helping a friend with substance misuse.
• Name one community resource where someone can get help for substance misuse.
• Write an essay describing how to recognize substance misuse in a peer and how to assist them in seeking treatment.
• Create a presentation on the importance of support and treatment options for substance misuse.
• Develop a brochure for teens about signs of substance misuse and where to find help.

Answer Guide

• List three common signs that might indicate someone is misusing alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
  Answer: Bloodshot eyes, mood swings, withdrawal from friends or family.
• Describe one way you can support a friend who you think is misusing substances.
  Answer: Talk to them privately with concern, listen without judging, and encourage them to get help from a trusted adult.
• Given a scenario where a peer is showing secretive behavior and declining grades, explain how you would approach supporting them and what steps you would take to help.
  Answer: Express concern kindly, listen, suggest talking to a counselor or trusted adult, and offer to accompany them.
• Analyze why it is important not to blame or judge someone who shows signs of substance misuse when offering support.
  Answer: Blaming makes them defensive and less likely to seek help; empathy builds trust and openness.
• Evaluate how community resources and trusted adults can work together to support someone struggling with substance misuse, and propose a plan for connecting a peer to these resources.
  Answer: Community resources provide treatment; trusted adults offer emotional support. The plan includes identifying needs, discussing options, contacting resources, and ensuring ongoing support.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to talk with a trusted adult at home about what they learned regarding supporting someone with substance misuse and to identify local resources together.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to talk with a trusted adult at home about what they learned regarding supporting someone with substance misuse and to identify local resources together.

Lesson Summary

Students learned to recognize signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, and drug misuse and how to support someone showing these signs. They practiced empathetic communication and explored treatment options and community resources. The lesson emphasized the importance of respectful support and knowing how to seek help to promote health and recovery.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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