BRITAIN'S DEADLIEST ADDICTIONS

PROGRAMME 2: DAY 2 AT THE CLINIC

ACTIVITIES

Guidance

If students have seen the whole of Programme 1, they will be able to carry out the following activities using just the clips provided below. However, if they have not seen Programme 1, then it is suggested that students watch at least the opening introduction to this programme to give them an adequate summary of the background so far.

The suggested activities and clips for this programme focus on Vanessa and Sandie, since Tony's case was used for discussion in the suggested activities for Programme 1.

Download activity sheet for Programme 2 [Word doc, 46KB]

Before viewing

Activity for small groups or pairs (included in the downloadable activity sheet):

Having seen the introduction to Tony, Vanessa and Sandie, who do you think will find it the easiest to give up their addiction and who do you think will find it the most difficult?

For each patient, give them a percentage chance of complete recovery (i.e. to give up their drug or alcohol dependency). Explain your thoughts. What difficulties might they face?

After/during viewing

Some or all of the following activities relate to specific clips from the programme. We regret that we cannot make these clips available on the website. Teachers and other users can access the programmes free of charge from the Channel 4 video on demand service, 4oD (PC only), or the programmes may be taped off air for use in the classroom (see TV listings for the current term's schedule). Please note that the clip times will vary on different viewing platforms and devices.

Activities linked to clips

Vanessa's habit
Clip 1: 06.25 – 12.11

• Opens with Krishnan saying, 'What have been your first impressions since coming in here?'
• Closes with Vanessa saying, 'I know I can have a life without drugs.'

In a group, discuss Vanessa's case so far. Answer the questions included in the downloadable activity sheet and repeated below:

• How does Vanessa feel about being in the clinic? How does she describe it?
• What in her background might have caused her to start taking drugs?
• Who introduced her to crack cocaine?
• What are the financial effects of taking hard drugs? What does she spend?
• How does she feel when she takes crack cocaine? What are the problems?
• What was the psychiatrist's advice?
• Why does Vanessa want to give up drugs now?

Sad Sandie
Clip 2: 12.12 – 18.45

• Opens with Krishnan saying, 'Another patient who believes that, with the help of the clinic, she can start living a drug-free life is Sandie Bailes.'
• Closes with Penny – the head nurse – saying, 'They help, but they are my worst enemy as well.'

Complete the question sheet (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in pairs. Questions repeated below:

• Is being addicted to prescription drugs not as bad as being addicted to illegal drugs? Explain your answer.
• What was the trigger years ago for the initial anxiety that caused Sandie to be prescribed drugs?
• Is her GP at fault at all for her being addicted?
• What else, apart from drugs, could help Sandie deal with her anxieties and panic attacks?
• How does taking the drugs affect her every-day life now?
• Why can't she just stop taking the drugs?

Art therapy and group therapy
Clip 3: 18.45 – 22.06

• Opens with Krishnan saying, 'Withdrawal is just part of our patients' treatment.'
• Closes with Sandie saying, '…was better than being with my mum.'

Complete the question sheet (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in pairs. Questions repeated below:

• What does group therapy involve? Why does it help?
• What does art therapy involve? Why does it help?
• How does Sandie feel after the art therapy session?
• How does Sandie benefit from her art therapy session?
• What other support is available at the clinic? Make a list.