HEALTH-CARE WORKERS CAN HELP PEOPLE BATTLING ADDICITON: WORKSHOP SPEAKER

A three-day workshop, aimed at providing better tools for addiction
services personnel in the province, continues today at the Canadian Coast
Guard College.

Upward of 125 individuals are attending the event that began Monday with an
address by keynote speaker Dr. Ray Baker. He is physician certified in both
family medicine and addiction medicine in British Columbia.

During the morning session, he touched on practices in nicotine addiction
and nicotine and addiction medicine.

Among the points of discussion was a recovery checklist known as CARESS. He
said those recovering from substance abuse do all of the following things
or a variety of them. They have non-chemical coping skills, are accountable
to others, they take personal responsibility for their actions, are
educated about their illness and recovery, have a social support network,
and have spiritual health.

Baker also touched on what addiction workers should and shouldn't do.
"Always provide empathy," said Baker. When speaking with those with
addictions, use open-ended questions and listen.