Breaking Confidentiality

Drugs and substance misuse

Who do young people seek help and advice from?

In your group make a list of who you might seek help from.

What are the advantages of this person?

What are the disadvantages of this person?

Imagine your friend’s problem involved alcohol, smoking, or illegal drugs.

• Why might your friend be involved with this?• What are the benefits and problems of the

drug for them?• Why might it be hard to help them?• Who else could help?

In groups complete the table

Who do young people seek help and advice from?’

What are the advantages of this person?

What are the disadvantages of this person?

Scenario Questions

Why might your friend be involved with this?What are the benefits and problems of the drug for them?How can you support them?Can you support them alone? Who else could help?At which point did their behaviour cross a line for you?

JonnieJonnie is 14 years old. He is a bright student and a bit of a perfectionist. His parents expect him to follow in the family tradition and become a medical doctor. Recently he has been feeling anxious as his father was critical when he came second in a maths test. He has not been sleeping and has found it hard to concentrate – he feels sure his grades will start to slip. He has started drinking after school and this makes him feel better. He now has a drink to help him sleep at night too. He is finding it harder to get up in the morning and his mother keeps asking him what is wrong. This makes him want to drink more. He recently told you he was shop lifting to pay for vodka. Jonnie says the alcohol is not a problem and it is the only thing keeping him going. He has sworn you to secrecy.

RaluccaRalucca is 13 years old. Her mum is an alcoholic who refuses to get help – even though with help she could get much better. Her mum is mostly asleep or else out therefore Ralucca is able to stay out late when ever she wants. She works hard at school and the school understand that sometimes she has to look after her mum and can’t always hand homework in on time. She ‘de-stresses’ by binge drinking on a Friday and Saturday night – the following mornings she can’t remember where she’s been or what she’s done. She relies on her cousin to get her home. Last night she told you she ended up in A&E when she fell over and bashed her head after drinking. When you ask her about her drinking at the weekends she says that it’s what everyone does. She has begged you not to tell.

Amma

Amma is 14 years old and has been dating an older boy for a year now, who she regularly drinks alcohol with. Her boyfriend has officially dropped out to school last term.She doesn’t get very drunk but is drinking more than the recommended safe amount for adult women (there is no safe recommended amount for young people). Last month her boyfriend was taken into hospital with vomiting and doctors diagnosed cirrhosis of the liver and predicted that if he did not stop drinking he would die. Amma is very scared and has started drinking more. You had to promise not to tell anyone to get the story out of her.

Homework

Notice examples from TV programmes/books where confidentiality should have been broken. Practice the ‘dos’ of good listening and support when your friend or family member has a problem.