Provincial Adult Addictions Information
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YouthAFM Youth Services Information Sheet AFM Youth Services: What you can expect from usIf you are thinking about giving us a cal,l here are some things that you can expect from us. Our programs are designed to help people look at their alcohol/drug/gambling involvement to see if it is affecting their life in a negative way. You will have the opportunity to meet counsellors who understand youth issues and the potential effects of alcohol, drugs or gambling on young people's lives. If you decide that your use/gambling is causing problems for you your counsellor can provide support and assistance in making positive changes. We also provide counselling and support to young people who are concerned about someone else's alcohol/drug/gambling involvement. Youth in our programs can expect:A safe place to ask questions and express your concerns: This means that your counsellor will not share information about you without your permission. There are some exceptions to this:
To be treated with respect: Openness: AFM Youth Programs:
In Winnipeg: Youth Community Based Services: We are located at 200 Osborne St North in Winnipeg. You can reach us by phone at (204) 944-6235. For more detailed information on this program click here. (bookmark below to Counselling & Assessments)
AFM Community Based Youth Services: Counselling and Assessments
Outside of Winnipeg: If you are not from Winnipeg and do not have an AFM Counsellor in your school then you can see an AFM Counsellor in one of our community based offices. Check this list to find the office closest to you. For more detailed information on this program click here.
Who are we?
Our Program Goal:
Our Services: Assessment: This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling. Counselling: This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province. The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals. Referral: AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.How to reach us:
Manitoba youth who use alcohol and other mood-altering drugs typically report starting use between the ages of 12-16.
AssessmentProviding AFM Counselling services in schools reduces barriers to referral and treatment for students and allows for earlier intervention. For a summary of services AFM offers in a specific school location please contact your local AFM office. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling. Counselling Services Referral AFM counsellors partner and encourage schools to develop Student Assistance Programs (SAPs). SAPs are early intervention programs which are designed to help identify concerns and connect students with helping services. They are based on the belief that the earlier a concern is identified, the earlier an intervention can occur. Early intervention increases the likelihood that students will be successful in school. AFM staff can provide training for any Manitoba school interested in developing a Student Assistance Program. Contact your local AFM Office for more information. AFM also provides Youth Focused Workshops (in Winnipeg) designed for those who work with youth in a professional or voluntary capacity. Prevention Education Services Frequently Asked Questions Question: I am a student at a school with an AFM counsellor and I have some worries about my use of alcohol or other drugs. How do I access your services? Answer: You can arrange a confidential meeting by contacting the AFM counsellor in your school. If you are not sure how to do that you can ask your guidance counsellor. The AFM counsellor will explain the available services and work with you to decide on what is best for you. Question: I'm worried that my child might be getting into trouble with drugs. What should I do? Answer: The AFM counsellor in your child's school would be happy to talk with you on a confidential basis. They can provide information on alcohol and other drugs and they can assist you in developing an appropriate intervention strategy. Question: I'm a student in a school where there is an AFM counsellor. My best friend has changed a lot lately and seems to have lost interest in things we used to do since he/she started smoking pot. Is there anything I can do? Answer: This is a tough spot to be in. You can contact the AFM counsellor in your school to talk about your concerns. It's up to you whether or not you want to tell the counsellor your friend's name. The counsellor can help you think through the issues and provide you with information to help you make the right decision for you and your friend. Question: Lately I have been worrying a lot about dad/mom because he/she has been drinking a lot. Sometimes I even think I am responsible for him/her drinking so much. Is the AFM counsellor able to talk to me without my parents knowing? Answer: You are not responsible for your parents drinking, but the feelings you are experiencing are very common for young people who are growing up in a home affected by alcohol, other drugs and problem gambling. It is very important to have a place where you can talk openly and get support. AFM counsellors can provide that. It is not necessary for your family to be aware of your involvement with an AFM school based counsellor. To learn more about alcohol, drugs or gambling problems and how to take care of yourself, contact your local AFM counsellor at your school. Click here to view pictures of our facility and amenities available. Phone: (204) 428-6600 Please note: If the information is general in nature it is fine to send it, however, if it is confidential and / or personal people are encouraged to contact us by telephone. This program is designed for parents and caregivers who are concerned about their child's use of alcohol and other drugs or gambling. Through the Parents Intervention Program, participants will be provided with:
AFM is involved in : Dealing with Issues - YouthIf you are a young person who wants to learn more about whether alcohol or other drugs are causing problems; or if you are worried about how to deal with certain situations, click on the following. Signs alcohol or other drugs are causing problems for you Many people use alcohol or some other drug. They may use because they feel it helps them to feel more confidant, relaxed, happy or to have fun. Some people may say that they don’t worry about their problems as much when they are high but alcohol and other drug use can also create more problems for people. The following is a sample story of someone’s use of alcohol and how it leads to problems for them. Trevor’s Story Irregular Use Trevor and his best friend were inseparable. They had basketball practice everyday after school and worked together at a pizza place on Saturdays. Both of them were saving money for college. They were starting to drink. The drinking started at Jim’s house. Trevor and Jim had wondered why drinking was such a big deal with some of the older kids at school. It was exciting to sneak a few bottles of beer when no one was home. Trevor disliked the taste, but he liked bragging to his friends at school about what they were doing. It made him feel older. The part he didn’t like was lying to his parents. Regular Use The next school year Trevor and Jim got together with friends almost every weekend. When they got bored, somebody would get some beer. Because Trevor knew his parents would disapprove of his drinking, he seldom had friends come to his house. Besides, his brother, Andy was hanging around. One time Trevor got so drunk at Jim’s house that he passed out in the yard. When his parents found out, he lied and said it was the first time it had happened. In truth, he had been drunk many times before. What really bothered him was that he had promised himself “only a few drinks tonight,” and then he had gotten drunk anyway. More and more Trevor’s friends were the ones who drank and who used other drugs, too. Sometimes when Trevor and his friends had fun, but often they ended up in fights. One time the neighbors called the police. Harmful Involvement Trevor wasn’t sure why, but by the time he was 16, some important things in his life were slipping away. He was flunking math and behind in history. The coach, who always used to like him so much, always seemed to be mad at him. Sometimes after practice, Trevor felt like he needed to drink. And then things got worse – fast. Trevor was picked up for drinking and driving. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But the results were still painful. Not only did he have to pay a fine and court costs, he lost his license as well. The next blow came when the coach kicked him off the team for breaking training rules. Even his little brother acted strangely. Once when Andy saw Trevor drinking in his room, he yelled angrily, “Stop breaking my mom’s heart.” His friend Jim wasn’t fun to be around anymore. He was always hassling Trevor about drinking too much. More and more Trevor preferred to be alone. He no longer drank to be sociable. Now he did it too avoid problems in his life. His newest problem was that his savings from his job was gone, and he wasn’t sure how he had spent the money. Dependent Involvement Trevor tried to pretend that everything was okay, but without a drink, he felt nauseated and shaky. Often he would have five or six drinks in an hour or two. He had to drink more and more to get the same effect. It seemed to be the only way he could feel “normal.” Because he was always fidgety and restless, he avoided doing anything with his family. No one seemed to know what was wrong. When his parents questioned him, Trevor would storm out of the house. When they grounded him, he would sneak out anyway. At 17 Trevor quit school and moved out of the house. He promised his family, “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.” But, in truth, he couldn’t cope with school, family, or anything – especially when he needed to drink just to start the day. He told himself that everything will be all right. That is, if he could keep his job at the pizza place. It was when he got fired from his job that he realized he was in trouble. Perhaps you can related to all or parts of Trevor’s story, or maybe your story is similar but involves other substances like marijuana, cocaine or crystal meth. If you are worried about your involvement counsellors at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba may be able to help. Asking yourself the following questions might also give you some clues about how alcohol or other drugs may be affecting you.
If you have answered yes to any of these questions and are concerned about your use of alcohol or other drugs, counsellors at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba may be able to help. At times we all find ourselves in a situation where we want to say no, but don’t know how. When you find yourself in this situation:
Some Suggested Assertive Ways To Say No
Be sure to sell your idea: "Come on it'll be fun!" First of all keep in mind that it is because of your love, care and concern that you would like to help them. When we have been hurt and disappointed with a loved ones behaviour we can easily forget this. When we with voices of our own anger and hurt, in an attacking way they may miss what you want to say. Instead express your concern and worry, regarding specific behaviours.
“I messages” look something like this: “I feel worried when you drink or use like that because I am afraid that you will overdose.”
It is important that they go and get help, however it is most important that you take care of yourself and get the help and support you need. If you can’t make changes, how can you expect others to?
This is something that is very difficult to accept. It is extremely difficult to watch those closest to us make decisions that we do not approve of; however, we can only change our behaviour, and the way we respond to the situation. The hope is that by changing the way we respond we can sometimes influence the situation.
Find a caring person and talk to them, someone outside the problem who can really be a support for you. This might be a teacher, counsellor, spiritual advisor, a doctor, etc.
ADDICTIONS FOUNDATION OF MANITOBA ALATEEN FAMILIES ANONYMOUS Although each person's situation is different, all individuals who are affected by alcohol/drug problems may share many common experiences and feelings.
For more information on how to help a friend or family member click here. Gambling has become very common and acceptable in our communities. In the past several years there has been an increase in the kinds of gambling available and access to it. Most people are able to gamble responsibly but for some people, including teenagers, gambling can become a problem.
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The Compass Residential Youth Program is an eight-week program for adolescents 13-17 years old who are experiencing significant problems with their use of alcohol or other drugs. A comfortable residential setting, Compass offers young people a full range of programming often not available to them in their home communities, and a group of caring staff who recognize the strengths young people have and their potential to succeed. The facility is located in Southport, four kilometres south of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
This website provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of posting. The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba is not responsible for and may not be in agreement with information provided by other websites that are linked to this site.