Dual Diagnosis and Treatment - Essay Example

Aisha Case Study Introduction This paper examines various aspects of Aisha’s situation. The paper first highlights on Aisha’s assessment regarding the cause of the symptoms she is experiencing. The dual diagnosis concept is also described in the paper. There is detailed assessment and recovery plan for Aisha in the paper. Furthermore, the essay highlights the ability of Aisha to practice as a nurse student as well as her mental state. There is also a description of the care planning and health promotion activities that will be conducted on the client. Dual diagnosis refers to the problems of alcohol or drug abuse, mental and mood disorders. The disorders are not character flaws or moral weaknesses in an individual and they can affect all persons regardless of their social status, age and ethnicity (Phillips, McKeown and Sandford, 2009). Some professionals allow their personal responses to influence their support and treatment of individuals in Aisha’s situation. According to NMC guidelines, the treatment and support of people in Aisha’s situation include assessment, care and treatment (Linehan, 2010). Assessment Aisha is first examined to determine her suitability to undergo the treatment process in a clinical setup. Aisha has a history of suicidal attempts and continuous use of alcohol when faced with social problems. The risk assessment objective encompasses a collaborative management strategy and the responsibility to implement the care plan’s content (Phillips, McKeown and Sandford, 2009). The first stage of the assessment process involves an evaluation of the existing prescription by the client in order to establish the severity of the condition. In addition, a sample of the client’s breath and urine are tested to acquire information regarding the existence of any substance in her system (Johnson, 2010). The second phase of the assessment process involves the alcohol and drug evaluation. Aisha will be assigned an alcohol and drug worker for comprehensive assessment using various diagnostic tools such as Dissociative Experience Scale, Eating Disorder Inventory, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Social Anxiety Scale (Krawitz and Jackson, 2009). The last phase of assessment will involve an evaluation of Aisha’s response to particular issues in the society such as communication and friendships. This process involves observing Aisha for a particular period in order to determine her conduct in the society as well as her relationship with close friends and relatives to establish the cause of the feeling of abandonment in her (Kranzler and Rounsaville, 2010). Furthermore, additional information regarding Aisha’s drug and alcohol use is acquired from close relatives such as her parents and siblings. Fitness to practice at the level of a nursing student encompasses various aspects of the practice such as acquisition of appropriate knowledge, skills, good characters and good health. The characteristics identified above enable an individual to perform their duties effectively and safely. Aisha is currently not fit to practice as a nursing student because of various reasons. First, according to the NMC guidelines, alcohol and drug use may limit a person’s preciseness in the decision-making process at work. In this case, Aisha’s use of cannabis and alcohol results in hallucinations and isolation from the society, which renders her unfit to practice. Care Plan Aisha’s needs that are essential for care planning and treatment include the lack of motivation, hallucinations, isolation, cannabis use and alcohol use. The objectives of Aisha’s care plan encompass various aspects. First, Aisha should reduce the time she spends awake at night and get sleep easily to facilitate adequate resting. Second, she should interact comfortably after the treatment by engaging social activities such as joining a social club. Finally, the care plan and treatment should help Aisha minimize dependence on alcohol and cannabis. To achieve the set goals, the patient should engage in various daily activities in order to promote their social life as well as self-control. First, Aisha should take a 30 minutes’ walk daily alongside her parent, friend or sibling. Secondly, she should reduce the daily use of alcohol especially when she is stressed or feeling lonely (Drake, 2009). Thirdly, Aisha should share information regarding the pressing issues with her parents or friends to promote depression and stress management. In this case, she will join a social club at the university to promote her social aspect of the treatment (Rassool, 2010). Fourthly, she takes an anti-depressants prescription and work with her psychologist regarding depression and stress management. Furthermore, she undergoes alcohol and drug detoxification to minimize the level of cannabis and alcohol in her system (Wirth-Cauchon, 2011). Finally, she will be monitored on various aspects of Aisha’s health behaviors such as enhancement of sleep, healthy eating and drug dependence reduction progress (Wirth-Cauchon, 2011). Recovery Aisha’s recovery process is based on the following four core dimensions. Health: Aisha’s health is a crucial aspect of the recovery process. The health recovery aspect entails various concepts such as abstinence from substance and alcohol use and making health choices that enhance her emotional and physical wellbeing. Aisha should attend psychological counseling sessions twice a week for stress management (Drake, 2009). Home: Aisha’s recovery is dependent on the support she receives from her family and friends. Having a comfortable and supportive home environment will enhance her recovery from alcohol and substance use by providing company when she feels isolated or lonely. Purpose: Aisha should engage in different social activities will help in reducing the feeling of isolation, which is essential for minimizing the use of cannabis and alcohol. In addition, it enhances the sense of belonging that helps to minimize suicidal desires (Wirth-Cauchon, 2011). Community: Having social networks and healthy relationships that provide love, friendship, hope and support are an essential aspect of Aisha’s recovery process. Health Promotion The health promotion criteria that I will use in the case of Aisha entail various approaches such as counselling, education addressing the issue of abandonment and elimination of dependence on drugs (Roy, 2011). First, the client undergoes a series of counselling and psychiatrist sessions regarding a management of depression and stress (Drake et al., 2009). Secondly, the client will be informed regarding the effects of the drugs on her social life and future engagements (Rosenthal, 2010). In this case, Aisha will go through a rehabilitation process for substance abuse, which will go alongside the medical treatment of the disorder (Stohler and Rössler, 2010). She will also be encouraged to join peer-counselling programs at the university. Conclusion Aisha presents various behavioural characteristics such as suicidal attempts, aggressiveness, behaviour substance abuse and emotional. Dual diagnosis is a condition that is characteristic of two disorders mainly substance use and mental illness. The assessment of the client involves an evaluation of her mental condition and the existence of substances in the system as well as social life. The treatment process entails active medical treatment, counselling sessions and engagement is social activities. References Cole, M. and Sacks, T. (2009).When dual diagnosis means no diagnosis: co-occurring mental illness and problematic drug use in clients of alcohol and drug services in eastern metropolitan Melbourne.Mental Health and Substance Use, 1(1), pp.33-43. Drake, R., Essock, S., Shaner, A., Carey, K., Minkoff, K., Kola, L., Lynde, D., Osher, F., Clark, R. and Rickards, L. (2009). Implementing Dual Diagnosis Services for Clients With Severe Mental Illness. FOCUS, 2(1), pp.102-110. Evans, K. and Sullivan, J. (2010).Dual diagnosis. 3rd ed. New York: Guilford Press. Freeman, A., Stone, M. and Martin, D. (2010).Comparative treatments for borderline personality disorder. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer. Goldner, E. (2011).A concise introduction to mental health in Canada. Toronto: CSPI. Johnson, S. (2010). Dual diagnosis of severe mental illness and substance misuse: a case for specialist services?.The British Journal of Psychiatry, 171(5), pp.205-208. Kranzler, H. and Rounsaville, B. 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