Establishing and maintaining contact with substance users

To establish good contact with substance users requires specific skills. Care providers that manage to have good, professional contact with substance users generally observe better results among users, and have more pleasure in their work.

Target group

Care providers in the social services and addiction treatment fields. Outreach workers that are in direct contact with substance users. The training is offered to care providers that want to broaden their knowledge and skills, but also serves as a good basis for professionals who are new to the field of drug treatment services.

Contents

Helping care providers to improve their communication skills, enabling them to quickly establish and maintain contact with substance users. The theoretical subject matter is illustrated via dynamic (interactive) methods and practice examples. The principles of motivational discussion techniques and theory of presentation are also discussed.

Themes

• establishing and maintaining contact with substance users: what aspects are involved?
• stages of behavioural changes observed in users: how can the care provider respond to this?
• developing and applying a personal style to providing care
• dilemmas relating to direct contact with substance users: setting and guarding limits

Duration

Two three-hour sessions

Costs

€ 1200,- for a group of up to 15 people