Active Listening
What is active listening?
Active listening is when you actually listen to a person and understand what they are actually feeling without giving them advice on what to do in their situation. Active listening differs from hearing. Hearing is the act of perceiving audible sounds with the ear. It is a passive act. Listening on the other hand, is the active pursuit of understanding what the other person is saying.
What should happen when you are active listening?
When a person starts to tell you information, you will try to judge the person. This can lead to problems. After hearing the information the speaker gives you, you need to repeat what they are saying, since it may not be the same thing that they told you. At this point the person you are talking to should then correct any mistakes before there is any misunderstanding.
When should you use active listening?
You should use active listening when your friends or people you know are talking about something serious. Like when your friend is telling you about how she or he is going to break up with their boyfriend or girlfriend and asks you what they should do.
What to remember when you are active listening?
� You must want to hear what the person has to say. People are not always ready to do this, and sometimes we simply don't want to listen. It is okay to tell someone that you aren't ready to listen when they start talking.
� Take the time to listen and trust in the speaker's ability to work out his or her own problems.
� Hear the speaker out! Listen to the feeling of what is being said. Don't interrupt. Use nods and other nonverbal exchanges.
� Remain calm as possible. Don't shut off your listening by reacting emotionally, or you will receive only part of the message.
What to do and what not to do when you are actively listening?
There are some ways to phrase things that work very well and other ways that don't work so well. People hate to take orders but they love suggestions and they also like to know what you are on their side. When you talk with people you don't want to tell them what to do, you want to lead them to the point where they will come to the "right" conclusion on their own. You want to empower them to make their own decisions about very weighty matters, like their sex life or their future. Never make assumptions or direct statements about their situation, because you don't really know what they are experiencing. Rather tell them what it sounds like to you.
Anger Management
Anger Management is something that reduces emotional feelings. You can't get rid of or avoid the things or people that make your anger happen. The people who are usually angered have very low tolerance to things that would frustrate you. It can be genetic or physiological. Anger is often negative, we're taught that it's alright to show anxiety, depressions or other emotions but not to express anger.
Not all anger is misplaced, and most of the time it's healthy. It's a natural reaction to our problems. It is not hard to focus on finding a solution to your anger. You can approach it with your best intentions and efforts and you got to make a big attempt to face your problems head on.
Some simple steps you can take are-
-Breathe deeply
-Repeat words like "take it easy"
-Remember something relaxing
-Exercise for a while
Mental Health Assosiation
- Participate in two three-hour training sessions at MHASF offices
- Lead monthly community presentations upon completion of their training
- Commit to a minimum of eight months of service with SOLVE
- Access to an extensive network of peer support
- Modest stipend for successful completion of 8 months service with SOLVE
- High-quality professional communications trainings.
SOLVE Program Manager
Cocaine
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a drug (paste) extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It is a strong stimulate that effects the body's central nervous system.
What Does Cocaine Look Like?
Cocaine is a white crystalline powder. It is often mixed with sugar, cornstarch, vitamins and flour. Crack cocaine looks like a small rock, chunk or chip and it is sometimes off-white or pink in color.
How Is It Taken?
Cocaine can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted.
Who Uses It?
Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. Nearly one percent of Americans, or 2.1 million people, are currently using cocaine. Users can be from all economic status, all ages and all genders.
What Are the Effects of Cocaine?
The drug creates a strong sense of exhilaration. Users generally feel invincible, carefree, alert, euphoric and have a lot of energy. This is usually followed by agitation, depression, anxiety, paranoia and decreased appetite. The effects of cocaine generally last about two hours.
What Are the Hazards of Cocaine?
Cocaine is a potent and dangerous. The short-term and long-term effects of cocaine are equally dangerous. The dangers of experiencing cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory failure is equal in both short and long term abuse.
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- High anxiety
- Irritability
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- Constricted blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Nasal infections
- Nose bleeds
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Violent behavior
- Twitching
- Hallucinations
- Chest pain
The long-term effects of using cocaine can include extreme agitation, violent mood swings and depression. Prolonged use of snorting cocaine cause ulcerations in the mucous membrane of the nose and holes and in the barrier separating the nostrils.
It can also result in a loss of appetite, extreme insomnia and sexual problems. Heart disease, heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems are not uncommon among long-term users of cocaine and crack.
What is Crack Cocaine?
Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine. Crack is made by dissolving powdered cocaine in a mixture of water and ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The mixture is boiled until a solid substance forms. It is removed from the liquid, dried, and then broken into the chunks (rocks) that are sold as crack cocaine.Crack is nearly always smoked, delivering a large quantity of the drug to the lungs, producing an immediate and intense euphoric effect. Because of its availability and intense effects, crack has grown in popularity. Health risks and problems resulting from crack use are the same as those listed for cocaine, however because of the intensity of the drug it is a higher risk.
Is Cocaine Addictive?
Cocaine is highly addictive, leaving users with an overwhelming craving for the drug. The addiction to crack develops quickly, sometimes after just a few times of smoking it. Those addicted to cocaine or crack can find help with behavioral treatments including both residential and outpatient approaches.
Signs of Drug Abuse
PERSONALITY:
Becomes disrespectful- is verbally and physically abusive
Is angry a lot, acts paranoid or confused or suffers from extreme mood swings
Seems depressed and less out-going than usual
Is secretive and lies about what he is doing and where he is going
Is stealing or "losing" possessions he used to value
Seems to have a lot of money, or is always asking for money
Withdraws from the family and family activities
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE/SIGNS:
Not taking care of hygiene and grooming
Not sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of appetite
Weight loss or weight gain
Too hyperactive or too little energy
SOCIAL ACTIVITY/SCHOOL PERFORMANCE:
Drops old friends and activities
Is skipping school
Loses interest in school work and is getting low grades
Is sleeping in class
Loses concentration and is having trouble remembering things
SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE BY DRUG TYPE
Narcotics: Lethargy, drowsiness, euphoria, nausea, constipation, constricted pupils, slowed breathing
Hallucinogens: Trance-like state, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate, insomnia, hallucinations
Alcohol: Slurred speech, impaired judgment and motor skills, in coordination, confusion, tremors, drowsiness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory ailments, depression
Depressants: Drowsiness, confusion, in coordination, tremors, slurred speech, depressed pulse rate, shallow respiration, dilated pupils
Cocaine/Crack Cocaine: Excitability, euphoria, talkativeness, anxiety, increased pulse rate, dilated pupils, paranoia, agitation, hallucinations
Inhalants: Slurred speech, in coordination, nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing
Marijuana: Mood swings, euphoria, slow thinking and reflexes, dilated pupils, increased appetite, dryness of mouth, increased pulse rate, delusions, hallucinations
Stimulants: excitability, tremors, insomnia, sweating, dry mouth and lips, bad breath, dilated pupils, weight loss, paranoia, hallucinations
What is my next step as a parent or employer?
As a parent or employer you want to make sure that your teen or employee is free of drugs. TestCountry.com is here to help you. We offer a wide variety of FAST, ACCURATE, AFFORDABLE, and CONFIDENTIAL Home drug testing kits that can be used to test a wide range of frequently abused drugs at the ease, comfort, and privacy of your home or office.
From http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/cms/lib2/PA01000027/Centricity/Domain/42/Signs%20and%20Symptoms.pdf