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Info Bytes for June 29, 2008

Posted on June 29, 2008 | Filed Under Research

There is a wealth of information on the internet. At times, it can be overwhelming. Blogs, newsletters, and feeds are a necessity in order to stay current on important subjects. However, the drive to learn will vary depending on a range of factors. Therefore, there are varying drives to explore new information.

An adolescent headed toward harmful substance use can easily use the internet to learn about substance misuse. Therefore, it is important that parents have the same information that is available to their children. An excellent resource for parents is a newsletter put out by UNCG’s Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnerships

Below is a selection of info bytes from their most recent newsletter:

Did you know?

1 in 10 teens has taken enough cough medicine to get high - as much as 25-50 times the normal dose.

There National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has created an interactive website for children aged 11-13.

Overall, parents are most aware of their child’s use of alcohol and cigarettes and least aware of marijuana use.

Tags: Research

Technology for the 21st Century Student

Posted on May 28, 2008 | Filed Under Research

Here is a novel idea for a significant problem of how technology can be harnessed to aid student learning as opposed to offering yet another distraction. According to Medical News Today,

Studiolo Systems, the academic achievement company, launched Studyrails.com, a web application that helps students improve their academic performance by optimizing their study habits. StudyRails combines research-supported strategies for effective studying including step-by-step, personalized study plans, email and cell phone study reminders, and the blocking of distracting websites, software and games during study time.

Although I lack first-hand experience with this product, a tool of this type warrants consideration. It appears that Studyrails was designed to facilitate the learning of the 21^st Century student. The site references a number of studies showing that organization and time management behaviors are significantly and substantively related to academic performance.

The website goes on to identify a subset of students for whom the technology holds considerable promise,

…4.4 million children in the United States have received diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 2003) a disorder strongly associated with poor organization and time management (see Barkley, 1997). To improve students’ academic performance, it is important to provide behavioral support to enable students to organize and manage their time effectively.

 

Best of all, Studiolo Systems is offering a free 14-day trial of the program. However, the timing of the offer may be a bit off. I imagine that students, parents, and teachers are looking forward to the summer break. However, if the company offers free music to download as a reward for using the program, I am sure that the timing will not be an issue.

 

Tags: Research

Recovery Coaching & Links

Posted on May 15, 2008 | Filed Under Substance Abuse, alcohol, AA, Disease Management, Relapse Prevention

In the late 90’s, I came learned about executive “coaching.” I was attracted to the coach/client relationship. Coaching is based on a partnership in which the coach asks questions rather that providing advice. At the time, I was working with adults experiencing mental illness as well as problems with substance abuse. My interest brought me to the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation. Both coaching and psychiatric rehabilitation hold a client-centered focus.

I continue to believe that coaching principles can be applied to healthcare. In particular, I am interested in how coaching can facilitate disease management.

Recently, I came across an organization that promotes “recovery coaching.” It appears that there is a growing interest in applying coaching principles to individuals ready to move beyond “treatment” to a meaningful and purposeful life as defined by the client.

If you are interested in learning more about recovery coaching, the Recovery Coaching, International website appears to be a good place to start your education. Even if you are not interested in any aspect of recovery coaching, the website has an excellent set of recovery related links.

Tags: Substance Abuse, alcohol, AA, Disease Management, Relapse Prevention keep looking »