6 session intervention

Material is laid out in this module that offers a six session intervention for young people who are using substances: this is delivered WITHIN an AMBIT framework, rather than replacing other key AMBIT principles (see Core Features of AMBIT). This module sets out some:

• Additional core STANCE principles (the stance features laid out in Core Features of AMBIT are already assumed to be in place) and
• A set of techniques, that are deployed according to your Care Plan, which is developed out of your Formulation and Treatment Aims.

Flexibility and Clinical Judgement

The detailed structure and contents of individual sessions are offered here as a guide; recommendations contained here should never be allowed to replace clinical experience, but are desgned to support and shape best practice.

The basic tasks for specific sessions should be covered as directed, but the therapist must feel able to move flexibly between different techniques and interventions according to clinical need - so that the detailed suggestions and examples set an overall ethos and 'style' rather than offering a mechanical and step by step manualization, sacrificing the flexibility required to maintain Engagement in young substance users.

Sessions and Steps:

PREPARATION

1. [_] See the general AMBIT Starting a NEW CASE - CheckLists.:
2. [_] Read through SUD-Rx principles and in particular Balancing INSIDE and OUTSIDE change work)
3. [_] See SUD-Rx - Who should be present at sessions?.
4. [_] Preparing yourself for Family and Systemic work: In keeping with the SUD-Rx principles of Balancing INSIDE and OUTSIDE change work, if the situation requires or allows it, the practitioner will aim to hold
1. [_] Up to 2 sessions of Family-focussed work amongst these sessions: study the techniques at FamilyWork for SUD-Rx.

GETTING STARTED

1. Initial two sessions: SUD-Rx Session 1 - 2. There is more detail for the first and second sessions as these include the important processes of engagement, assessment, motivational work, planning and baseline outcomes measurements.
2. [_] SUD-Rx Session 3
3. [_] SUD-Rx Session 4
4. [_] SUD-Rx Session 5
5. [_] SUD-Rx Session 6 - FINAL

These four concluding sessions consist mainly of a balance of CognitiveBehavioural for SUD-Rx and Social-Ecological Work, primarily designed to offer:

• PsychoEducation
• Change-oriented work and Strategies
• Crisis Contingency Planning to support Self-efficacy in the young person and their carer network's capacity, equipping and supporting the young person to choose and act upon the goal of reducing the harms associated with substance use, or reducing/stopping his/her absolute usage of this drug.