Bystander Intervention: Alcohol and Substance Misuse
Designed to empower students with the skills to recognize and respond to alcohol and drug misuse, poisoning, and overdose, this course explores critical bystander intervention techniques, strategies to overcome common barriers to action, and the 5Ds of intervention. Using real-world examples, students are invited to contemplate best practices to prepare and equip them to be conscientious and proactive in potentially life-saving situations.
Request a demoCourse Details
Learning Objectives
- Recognizing the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug misuse
- Identifying the five steps to intervention
- Determine where to seek help
- Understand how to be an active bystander
Specs
| Intended Audience | Higher Education Students |
| Languages | English (US), Spanish (US), Spanish (European), Spanish (Mexican), French (Canada), French (European), Arabic, Chinese (Simplified Mandarin), Chinese (Traditional Mandarin), Filipino Tagalog, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese (European), Russian, Thai, Vietnamese |
| Accessibility | Audio, Video, Interactive Transcript, Closed Captions |
| Course Features | Interactive Modules, Knowledge-Checks, Assessment |
Key Questions
Bystander intervention is the act of stepping in to prevent harm or assist someone in need when you witness a problematic situation. It involves recognizing potential danger and taking appropriate action to help, whether directly intervening, seeking help, or offering support to the person in need.
What are some signs or symptoms of alcohol and drug misuse?Signs of alcohol and drug misuse may include changes in behavior, mood swings, neglecting responsibilities, physical symptoms like nausea or slurred speech, and social withdrawal. Other signs can include risky behavior, secretive actions, and changes in appearance. Recognizing these signs early can help in seeking the right support and intervention.
How do I help someone misusing drugs or alcohol?To help someone misusing drugs or alcohol, approach them with care and understanding. Offer support by encouraging them to seek professional help, listen without judgment, and provide information on available resources. Avoid enabling behaviors and ensure they know help is available through counseling, support groups, or medical professionals.
How can I approach someone about their alcohol or drug misuse without making them defensive?Approach them with compassion and avoid sounding accusatory. Use “I” statements like, “I’m worried about you” rather than “You have a problem.” Offer support and let them know that help is available, emphasizing your concern for their well-being.
Additional Resources
Before diving in, we should review the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug misuse. A major part of taking safe action in unsafe situations is the ability to notice when things might be spiraling out of control. Learning to recognize when someone needs help is a skill everyone needs. But people’s willingness to help depends on many things, like how well we know the other person and care about them or whether the situation is where we feel ready to use the power of our voice or actions to make a difference. We can use different techniques to help us feel confident about acting in any situation. However, we want to focus on how to apply certain intervention methods to situations that involve alcohol and drug use.
Connect with Us
Learn about our Higher Education online training, get pricing, and see our platform.
