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SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Breaking Free of Denial
(Can be tailored for 3-6 credit hours)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
This program presents an overview of a seven-stage process for the identification and treatment of denial for a person recovering from substance abuse. It discusses denial in terms of: a general state of denial that a person can be in some, most, or all of the time, and also the specific denial that can trigger a relapse; a spectrum of denial from basic denial to unconscious denial; as well as the full range of denial and the depth of denial. The seven-stage process also involves the mechanism for creating honesty statements, which replace the denial statements. The seven-stage process revolves around the use of 90 denial statements that reflect the various stages of addiction. The program offers a systematic, step-by-step approach to the treatment of denial using a balance of theory, practical experience, handouts and worksheets.
Participants will be able to practice the use of these techniques in triad role-play (i.e., the role of the therapist, patient and observer). 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• describe the seven-stage process of identifying, treating and breaking free of denial

• differentiate denial beliefs from other beliefs, feelings, attitudes and personality traits

• recognize at which level of denial a person is

• discuss methods to assist a person in identifying, treating and breaking free of denial

• identify a person's core denial belief system

• identify the type of thinking needed for the honesty belief system that replaces the denial belief system

FACULTY: Wayne P. Sisson, MA, is currently the Associate Director of the Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc./VA Employee Education System, Prescott Center, Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott, Arizona.  Prior to joining that program, he was an addiction therapist at the VA Medical Center's inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program from 1980 to 1994. He was also the program director and addiction therapist at La Casita, Inc., a residential alcohol treatment center in Tucson, Arizona from 1978 to 1980. Mr. Sisson has presented numerous continuing education programs on various aspects of substance abuse.

Wayne P. Sisson, MA 
Ph (w): (928) 776-6124
Associate Director 
Fax: (928) 776-6137 
Email sec@northlink.com
Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc.
Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (OP SEC)
500 N. Highway 89
Prescott, AZ 86313

SOUTHWEST HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION CENTER, INC
 500 N. HIGHWAY 89 (OP SEC)    PRESCOTT, AZ 86313-5000
 
 PHONE (928) 776-6124         FAX (928) 776-6137
 sec@northlink.com
 
 Office Hours 8am - 4:30pm MST
 
 
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