MATI 2021 Webinar Series: Drugs, Alcohol and Fentanyl: Interpreting for Chemical Dependency Patients (Part 1)

Webinar Description: 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States was in the midst ofan opioid crisis. The demand to interpret at chemical dependency programs will continue to increase as patients struggle with additional problems such as financial hardships, job loss and difficulties to access care due to the focus on treatment for COVID-19. This presentation will review specific terminology related to addiction, particularly opioid pain medications, illicit drugs such as non-pharmaceutical Fentanyl, and other substances.

We will also discuss the special challenges for interpreters in this field: patients’ language filled with drug-related slang, and unique references to the world of addiction. This presentation will provide the tools to successfully interpret in group-treatment therapy and in the ever-evolving world of chemical dependency.Participants will receive glossaries in the 

What you will learn:

• General introduction to most commonly abused prescription and non-prescription drugs, and other substances.
• Define and discuss specific vocabulary related to chemical dependency (pill mill, doctor shopping, uppers/downers, enabler, binge drinking, gateway drug, etc.).
• Challenges interpreters face: lack of training, complexity of language (slang, high/low register), complexity of chemical dependency (medical, psychological, social, legal, financial challenges), logistics of appointments (group therapy, simultaneous interpretation equipment).

Note: this is Part 1 of a two-part webinar. The above description is intended for both parts.

Time: July 20, 2021 | 7:30pm - 8:30pm CDT

Presenter bio: Judit Marinis a freelance Spanish interpreter, translator, and trainer based in Northern California. She is an ATA-certified (English>Spanish) translator and a California Certified Medical Interpreter. She holds an M.A. in Spanish from U.C. Santa Barbara and a B.A. in Catalan Philology from the University of Barcelona. She currently serves as Vice President and Continuing Education Director for the Northern California Translators Association (NCTA). She received the Interpreter of the Year Award from the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA), at their annual conference in 2018. You can contact her atmarinjudit@gmail.comand follow her on Twitter: @juditoak.