SHARE GROUP EXPLORES ADDICTION ISSUES

The effects of drugs and alcohol make it imperative that people arm
themselves with information.

SHARE alcohol and drug program staff invite the community to attend
the education series sessions currently ongoing.

The program is open to everyone and presents 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' use to understand
addicts and addictive behaviour.

There is no cost for this group.

Topics vary from week to week, and the format consists of a video, a
brief presentation and open discussion.

On Jan. 20, the medical aspects and effects of alcohol and drug abuse
will be covered, in addition to what happens to the body and mind
under the influence.

The week after, program staff will discuss alcohol: how dependence
develops, controlled using and the effect on pregnant women and their
children.

On Feb. 3, cocaine and crystal meth will be discussed. Staff will
discuss how users struggle to recover and what long-term recovery looks like.

On Feb. 10, relapse prevention will be discussed, and what people can
do about the psychological, emotional and physical aspects of relapsing.

Stress is on the agenda for Feb. 17, and participants will learn how
to cope with life's big and little problems without using. Anger will
be discussed the week after, with program staff covering how people
can understand their anger and learn how to manage it more
effectively.

March 3 will lead to a discussion on trauma, and how substance misuse
often occurs with people who have experienced childhood abuse. How
these experiences may cause relapses or continued misuse will also be
discussed.

On March 10, the connections between mental illness, depression and
addiction will be explored. Many people who have a substance problem
are those who are coping with mental health issues. Understanding the
links between the two issues will be the goal of this discussion.

Participants will discuss on March 17 how family dynamics impact
people.

How substance abuse affects family and friends will be covered on
March 24, and how those people can help others. Stage 2 recovery and
life in the future will cap off the education series on March 31.

Discussions will be held Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second
floor of the SHARE offices at 2615 Clarke St. in Port Moody. For info,
call 604-936-3900.