Addiction 101 workshop impact evaluation 2023
Published:
March 28, 2023
Research type:
Addiction 101 is a one-day addiction literacy workshop that aims to increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with addiction.
Funded by the Te Whatu Ora and run by Blueprint for Learning, Addiction 101 is designed for New Zealanders working in organisations and active in the community. It’s also a great option for anyone without a qualification in this area to build their knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery.
Understanding addiction and recovery
Addiction 101 gives people greater confidence to recognise the signs of addiction issues, and a better understanding of addiction and recovery using Te Whare Tapa Whā.
People who completed the workshop felt they improved their understanding of the impact of trauma, and the power of language they use, enabling them to better support people experiencing addiction issues.
Learning with a lasting impact
People who attend Addiction 101 report feeling more confident in their ability to recognise the signs of someone experiencing addiction, how to support them, and how to improve their own self-care.
It’s impactful learning that makes a difference. Blueprint for Learning regularly evaluates the Addiction 101 workshop to ensure the increased confidence, understanding and skills people gained during their Addiction 101 workshop were maintained six months later.
The latest impact evaluation, published by Te Pou in March 2023, showed the increased confidence, understanding and skills gained from Addiction 101 were maintained. The impact evaluation looked at feedback from Addiction 101 participants who attended an in-person or online workshop between January and August 2022.
Almost all participants (99%) said they were confident talking about addiction and recovery months after attending the workshop and said what they learned was useful for both their workplace and their personal life.
- 81% of participants maintained their understanding of addiction and recovery using Te Whare Tapa Whā.
- 75% maintained their confidence in recognising the signs of problematic substance use.
- 70% maintained their understanding of how different substance types affect the brain and body.
- 78% maintained their confidence in responding supportively to someone experiencing addiction and wellbeing issues.
- 90% of participants had improved their self-care.
- Nearly all in-person (98 percent) and online workshop participants (100 percent) would recommend Addiction 101 to other people.
Almost two-thirds of participants (66 percent) indicated their learning from the workshop had been useful or very useful in their personal life. Interestingly, more people, eight in ten (80 percent), indicated their learning was useful in their job or workplace.
The evaluation highlighted Addiction 101’s effectiveness in reducing stigma and discrimination. All respondents (100 percent) agreed that a person who experienced a substance use problem can be a full and active member of their community.
This was reflected in participants’ comments, showing how their empathy and understanding has grown after attending the workshop.
“Helped me with understanding of others. I do not drink and smoke. I have never taken drugs so did not have much understanding of why people do. When you do not understand it can mean you are more judgmental.”
The evaluation emphasised that facilitators sharing stories from their lived experiences of addiction brings the content to life, building empathy, challenging stereotypes, and embodying hope.
“It’s empathy through understanding. What the course did very well – particularly the facilitators, brilliant. They made the material come to life, they also shared appropriately examples, situations and scenarios that improved my understanding and empathy.”
Impact evaluation of Addiction 101 full report
Learn more about the ongoing impact of Addiction 101 and read participant stories in the full Addiction 101 impact evaluation 2023 report.
Find an Addiction 101 workshop
Register now for the workshop you know works, and get a better understanding of addiction and recovery, and how to respond supportively.
