As an education professional, you have a variety of individuals to cater to and assist as they pursue their educational goals. Working with a student who is going through the treatment process of addiction can be challenging. It is important to cater to the student’s needs without providing too much extra leeway for the student. Managing this balance can be difficult.
Provide a Safe Space
If you are working with a student who is either returning from treatment or currently in treatment, providing them with a safe educational space is essential for their success. While working through addiction recovery, many people may find it draining to engage in education and be surrounded by other individuals. The fear of judgment may come into play and take a toll on their engagement with their education.
Reminding the student that they are in a safe space can help them feel more welcome. Approach them and let them know that they can reach out to you with any struggles they may be experiencing and inform them that you are willing to work with them. Opening that space up for communication can make this process much easier for both the student and the teacher.
Be Aware of the Situation
Having a meeting with the parents or caretakers involved, as well as with the student themself, can provide you a time to set expectations and share goals. Learning aspects the student is struggling with and coming up with a plan together can ease the stress of future endeavors that might come into play. Understanding more specifics of what the child is working through can help you ensure you are providing a safe space for them in your classroom.
To build this safe environment at school for this child or young adult, keep an eye on their social situation and ensure the other students are being respectful. Many students working through addiction recovery fear attending school because they fear rejection from their peers. Creating a welcoming space within your classroom and ensuring that kindness is a priority can help them adjust to the setting and focus on their education.
Implement Accommodations
While you do not want to cater to the student by giving them an unfair advantage over the other students, sometimes making adjustments is necessary for a student in treatment to succeed. The following exemptions may be implemented to help push a student toward success without giving them an unfair advantage over the other students.
- Allow extra time on a task or examination
- Specify instructions for the student to understand
- Allow five-minute breaks
As an education provider, you want to further your goal of preparing the student to succeed in an educational setting. The outside factors they may be encountering in addiction recovery and treatment may cause an impact in the classroom as well. Encouraging the student to let go of outside dilemmas and focus on learning in the classroom can help them realign their focus. While recovery needs to be their main goal, pushing the feelings of treatment aside momentarily and focusing on learning can give their mind a welcome break.
If a student in treatment is struggling to retain a certain subject, they may be prone to higher levels of frustration than other students. Working out a system where the student is allowed to take a step outside and relax for five minutes can help them decompress before coming back and regaining focus on the material. Some students may take advantage of this; however, it can be very beneficial if the student is feeling overwhelmed.
Watch for Signs of Relapse
As an education provider, you are likely spending a great deal of time with this student every day and seeing how their behavior may change over time. Keeping an eye on them and watching for possible signs of relapse can help keep them on track with their personal goals as well as their educational goals. The following signs may indicate the student is falling back in their recovery and may be prone to relapse.
- Decreased attention span
- Decreased concentration
- Increased irritability
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Disruptive behavior
If you notice an abnormal level of these behaviors occurring in a student working through the addiction recovery process, it may be time to check in on them and ask if they need any further assistance from you. Raising awareness of your concern with the head faculty of the school and the parents or caretakers of the child is important so they can continue to observe these behaviors. If the student is falling into a point of relapse, provide support for them and continue to create a safe environment, encouraging their future success.
Working with students currently in the process of addiction treatment and trying to cater to their educational needs can add an extra stressor into the classroom setting. This student may require additional support to succeed. However, there are many things you can do to support their educational success. Creating a safe classroom environment and being approachable to the student can ease the tension they may be feeling at school. Discussing the struggles the student is having and implementing accommodations to help the student succeed can be a vital support for them during this time. While you do not want to cater to the student in an unfair way, giving them additional time to complete a task, specifying the instructions, or giving the student a break if needed can help them to succeed. To learn more about how to support a student through addiction recovery, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.
Recent Comments