| Introduce topic by describing activity name, content standard, and objectives. Start the session by asking the following questions: -When people drink heavily, do they drink because they are happy or sad? -In your opinion, what mood is related to excessive alcohol consumption? -Do you drink because you are depressed or you get depressed becasue you were drinking? Inform the participants that according to some experts, ...if you drink heavily and regularly you"re likely to develop some symptoms of depression." Inform the participants that we will read an article that explains how drinking alcohol affects the way we feel. Make two teams to read and analyze the information. Assign each group a section of the article. Instruct them that one in the team needs to be identified so they can summarize the information they read. Distribute the article "How Alcohol Affects Mood" -Team 1: "Impact of alcohol as a drug on our moods and feelings" and "Alcohol and Mood" Team 2: Expressing feelings through alcohol" and "Avoiding Feelings Through Alcohol" Draw two columns on the board and write "Positive emotions" and "Negative emotions" one on each column. Ask participants to help you write the emotions they feel or mood they are in when they drink. Ask for as many details they are willing to share. After you finish the sharing activity, ask the participants to help you identify healthy alternatives when there are strong emotions or feelings that could trigger the need or desire to drink. After each of the following emotions or states of mind, write suggestions provided by the participants: - Desperate - Stressed - Ashamed - Lonely As a culminating activity, ask the participants to share with you and the class, one recommended suggestion they like and that they will consider next time they are considering drinking as a way of dealing with depression, stress, or sadness. |