Evidence-informed training exploring how drugs function as self-regulation, sensory management, emotional coping, masking, social inclusion.

Session Overview

This practical, evidence-informed training explores the complex relationship between neurodiversity and substance use, helping practitioners understand not simply what a service user is using, but why they may be using it.

Rather than viewing substance use purely as risk-taking behaviour, participants will learn to recognise how alcohol and other drugs may function as forms of self-regulation, sensory management, emotional coping, masking, social inclusion or cognitive support.

Using the Drugs Wheel™ (www.thedrugswheel.com) as a functional framework, practitioners will develop a deeper understanding of how different substances can meet different needs for different neurodivergent service users, allowing interventions to become more personalised, compassionate and effective.

The training recognises the overlap between neurodiversity, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, education exclusion, mental health, exploitation and family dynamics, ensuring participants can better understand the whole person rather than focusing solely on substance use.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the training participants will be able to:

❑ Develop a greater understanding of the relationship between neurodiversity and substance use among service users.

❑ Recognise how different neurodivergent profiles may influence patterns of substance use, engagement and help-seeking.

❑ Understand the functional role substances may play, including emotional regulation, sensory regulation, executive functioning, social belonging and masking.

❑ Apply the Drugs Wheel™ to explore why a service user may be using a particular substance rather than focusing solely on the substance itself.

❑ Adapt communication, assessment and intervention techniques to become more neuroinclusive.

❑ Increase confidence in recognising unmet needs behind behaviours often labelled as "non-compliance", "resistance" or "lack of motivation".

❑ Identify practical interventions that reduce harm whilst promoting autonomy, resilience and engagement.

❑ Reflect on how practitioner assumptions and organisational processes may unintentionally create barriers for neurodivergent service users.

Course Content

This session will be divided into 5 main sections which will be explored throughout the day:

Understanding Neurodiversity through a Service User's Lens

Reframing Substance Use

Understanding Drug Function Using the Drug Wheel

Translating Understanding into Practice

Building a Neuroinclusive Toolkit

Each participant receives a detailed workbook designed to become an ongoing practice resource rather than simply course notes.

Who is this course for?

This programme is designed for professionals working with service users across different age groups and life stages. The content can also be tailored for mixed-agency audiences to strengthen a shared understanding of neurodiversity, substance use and collaborative practice across local systems.

Our Terms and Conditions: please read before booking

Please only book a place if you are certain you can attend. Places are limited and absences impact on others that could benefit from this training.

When you have booked via Eventbrite, we will also ask you to confirm your space by email a week before the event. This is to ensure that you can cancel in good time should you need to.

Booking your place confirms you have approved this with your Line Manager.

We do not accept bulk bookings or booking on someone else's behalf. If you think someone on your team would like to book, please send them the Eventbrite link so they can book their own place in their own name. Duplicate bookings will be cancelled.

Please fill out the order form in full. You may risk losing your space if the form is not completed.

We reserve the right to fine your organisation £100 for last minute cancellations and no-shows.

If you book a place and do not attend without informing us or your cancellation, you and your Line Manager will receive an email reminding you that this may incur a fee of £100 for your organisation. Please cancel in good time.

If you do need to cancel, please do so in good time by emailing katie.docwra@cgl.org.uk and cancel your place via Eventbrite as soon as possible so that others may have the opportunity to attend.

Photos may be taken at the event and a list of all the professional attendees, their organisations and email addresses may be emailed to all after the event for their own purposes. Please inform your trainer on the day if you do not wish to be added.

Description supplied by the event organiser.