Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drugs Misuse, Abuse and Addiction

By Annan Paterson, Licensed Educational Psychologist

The Across Ages and Cultures Coalition (AACPC) members in Gualala on the South Coast, volunteer their time and energy to combat alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction. They have seen first hand the devastation of opioid and methamphetamine addiction on our families and neighborhoods.

Recently, Dr. Shawn Ginwright from San Francisco State University wrote the following about communities coming together to heal harm and promote wellness: “What is needed is an approach that allows practitioners to approach trauma with a fresh lens which promotes a holistic view of healing from traumatic experiences and environments. One approach is called healing centered, as opposed to trauma informed. A healing centered approach is holistic involving culture, spirituality, civic action and collective healing. A healing centered approach views trauma not simply as an individual isolated experience, but rather highlights the ways in which trauma and healing are experienced collectively. The term healing centered engagement expands how we think about responses to trauma and offers more holistic approach to fostering well-being.”

A middle-aged neighbor dies of opioid overdose. Children enrolled in special education programs with learning disabilities due to prenatal exposure to meth. A mother who commits suicide with an overdose. A neglected teen threatening to kill himself. These kinds of things happen right here, right now. AACPC aims to confront these devastating realities by promoting a “healing centered” approach that helps to understand and cure the woes that our children, teens and adults experience.

“Adverse Childhood Experience” (ACE) and “Childhood Trauma” are terms frequently in the news and in professional literature. The Across Ages and Cultures Prevention Coalition is making prevention of childhood trauma, and healing from trauma already experienced, a priority in the fight against drug abuse and addiction. ACEs and trauma are now being called a public health “disaster”, notably with the misuse, abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a comprehensive review of data regarding these issues: “Research has demonstrated a strong, graded relationship between ACEs and a variety of substance-related behaviors, including:

1) Early initiation of alcohol use. ACEs can predict earlier age of drinking onset. Therefore, underage drinking prevention programs may not work as intended, unless they help youth recognize and cope with stressors of abuse, household dysfunction, and other adverse experiences (Rothman, Edwards, Heeren, & Hingson, 2008).

2)  Higher risk of mental and substance use disorders as an older adult (50+ years). ACEs, such as childhood abuse (physical, sexual, psychological) and parental substance abuse, are associated with a higher risk of developing a mental and/or substance use disorder later in life. (Choi, DiNitto, Marti, & Choi, 2017).

3) Continued tobacco use during adulthood. Prevalence ratios for current and never smoking have been shown to increase as ACE scores increase. (Ford et al., 2011).

4) Prescription drug use. For every additional ACE score, the rate of number of prescription drugs used increased by 62%. (Forster, Gower, Borowsky, & McMorris, 2017).

5) Lifetime illicit drug use, drug dependency, and self-reported addiction. According to a study on childhood abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction and the risk of illicit drug use, each ACE increased the likelihood of early initiation into illicit drug use by 2- to 4- fold. (Dube et al, 2003)”

AACPC is committed to a community wide approach to preventing child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, poverty, social inequities and other sources of ACEs, as a potent way to promote physical, emotional and mental health. Treating and healing those who have been exposed to, and are victims of, ACEs; educating the community regarding the harm of ACEs and the connection between trauma and alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction; and developing policies and best practices in our schools and other agencies that encourage positive parenting, healthy living and nonviolent communication is paramount to our work.

Currently, AACPC is engaged in a 3 year grant to prevent abuse and misuse of opioids, other prescription drugs and methamphetamines in our youth ages 12-18. The Coalition has selected several key components to aid in prevention efforts including Restorative Justice and Peace Making (AKA Talking) Circles to heal harm done by violence and addiction in our youth and adults. We are also providing College and Career Education and Coaching to give youth a pathway to financial and professional success.

As we begin our work together, the Across Ages and Cultures Prevention Coalition seeks to involve the whole community in healing individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities.

For more information, contact: Kathleen Bennett, Project Director, 707-884-5341  

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Annan Paterson is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and facilitator for Across Ages and Cultures Prevention Coalition in Gualala, California.