The Nursing Sector as the Central Element of the Health Care Practices - Essay Example

? A Mental Heath Case Study A Mental Heath Case Study Carol meets the 304.90 criteria (substance abuse) of the DSM-IV-TR. This indicates that she has developed a substance abuse disorder. As per the criteria, “when an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence disorder may be diagnosed” (Cameron valley/ addictions, 2010). This situation along with substance abuse is considered to be the substance abuse disorders. The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic code 1(a) states that “a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect” as a direct indication of substance abuse disorders. The case study indicates that Carol had consumed a high range of alcohol (0.15 PCA) when she was breath tested by Police at the road side. Her roadside test result for cannabis use was also positive. It seems that Carol has been drinking daily (3-4 drinks) for the past 3 weeks and using cannabis since she was 18 years old. From the case study, it is clear that Carol had a broken family background which has an adverse impact on her present life. She lost her job due to her increased absence from work. In addition, she had recently broken up with her boyfriend and this event dreadfully impacted her mind. Carol admitted that smoke and drink assist her to forget all problems. From this scenario, it is obvious that she takes increased amounts of substance to achieve the desired effect (mental relaxation and elimination of sorrows). Carol also meets the 7th criterion that states, “the substance abuse is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have caused or exacerbated by the substance”. 2. While analyzing the prevalence of cannabis in Australia, it is obvious that this drug is widely available in Australia. Drug Trends Bulletin for October 2009 by the University of New South Wales’ National Drug and Alcohol Research Center (as cited in Stafford & Burns, 2010) reports that nearly 58% of the cannabis users in NSW are of the opinion that hydroponically-grown cannabis is very easily available whereas another 43% believe that bush-grown cannabis can be easily found. According to this bulletin, no person thinks that hydro cannabis is very difficult to find. Reports for Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland also show almost similar outcomes. It has been identified that outdoor and hydroponic cannabis cultivation is very common in all states and territories and majority of this drug is domestically produced. As per the NDSHS 2007 data, 68.5% of cannabis users acquired this substance from a fried or acquaintance while 4.8% obtained it from a relative and another 19.5% users acquired it from a dealer. The increased prevalence of cannabis in Australia can be attributed to the country’s climate and amount of space available which are conducive to cultivation. The liberalized cannabis intake polices of the Australia also seem to be a potential cause for wider availability of this drug in the country. According to the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), one gram cannabis’ average price may be ranged from A$20 to A$35 which is comparatively smaller. As per the reports of Sane Australia, cannabis reduces the chances of recovery from a psychotic episode and cannabis users have a higher rate of hospitalization for psychosis (Cannabis and psychotic illness, 2010). In case of cannabis addicted persons, treatment is less effective and therefore, recovery is more difficult. 3. The case scenario indicates that Carol has developed multiple mental health issues, specifically mental depression. The root causes of her current mental depression and related problems can be ascribed to her tragic family background. Carol remembers that her parents were “terrible” and that they were always yelling at her and fighting each other and they would often throw punches. As a result, Carole and her siblings had to pass through scared life situations during their childhood. She also says that she had no relationship with her parents while growing up. As per the developmental theories of Erikson and Freud, a child’s relationship with its parents plays a significant role in molding its personality traits. The theorists also argue that school environment has also a great influence on a person’s character determination. At this juncture, the case tells that Carole struggled academically and left the school environment at the age of 15. In short, Carol had a challenging childhood and adolescence and her disordered and irresponsible life made her a cannabis user. Tragedies followed her when she had lost her job due to excessive absenteeism and got broken up with her boy friend. The departure of boyfriend who probably was the last hope in her life severely affected her mind; increased reliance on alcohol was the result. Hence, Carole’s past life events can be potentially connected to the possible causes and psychodynamics behind the development of her multiple AOD/ Mental Health disorders. 4. From the given case scenario, it is clear that Carol is experiencing multiple AOD/Mental Health Issues. She frequently takes alcohol and cannabis to forget her sorrowful past. Analysis of the case background points that Carol’s multiple AOD/Mental Health issue may lead to a series of related potential risks. Currently, she has some problems with her chronological memory retainment and has developed a headache. Some of other possible risks are listed below. A. Addiction When a person intakes drugs or alcohol for a prolonged period of time, he develops a tolerance and thereby he urges to take more of the same substance so as to reach the same level of intoxication or euphoria. Although Caroling is using alcohol and cannabis to forget her worries, the frequent usage of such substance may maker her addicted. B. Sustained indifference Indifference is a psychological state of mind by which an individual tends to abstain from the mainstream of the society. The case study precisely reveals that Carole’s early life was really tragic and thereby she attracted towards substance abuse. Hence, this worse condition would lead Carol to the psychological state called sustained indifference. C. Major depressive disorder Major depressive disorder or simply major depression is a mental disorder characterized and accompanied by low mood, low self esteem, and loss of interest enjoyable activities. It is observed that persons with major depression attempt suicide as a result of some instantaneous emotions. As Carol is experiencing a depressive disorder, she may commit suicide at the acumen of adversity. 5. Proper and effective nursing interventions are vital in bringing Carol back to her normal life. A. Interventions for addition Nurses may teach Carole about the dreadful consequences of substance dependence and “work with the treatment team to identify appropriate referrals for continuing support. Carol has been using cannabin for the last seven years and its sudden stoppage may aggravate her. Here, nurses must offer all assistances to Carol to survive such a difficult situation. Finally, effective and timely medication are potential nursing interventions for Carol B. Interventions for sustained indifference Nurses’ sympathetic and compassionate attitude can greatly inspire Carole to change her attitude towards life. Probably, Carol would not cooperate with the treatment team in her post treatment exercises as she has been leading a disordered life practice. So, nurses must be willing to spend more time with Carol. Carol must get more public exposures during the course of her treatment C. Interventions for major depressive disorder Firstly, counseling would be an effective nursing intervention for Carol to prevent a major depression state. Meditation is another intervening strategy that may assist Carol to avoid her chances of developing a major depressive disorder. Finally, proper medication is also essential for Carol. 6. The nursing sector is the central element of the health care practices and therefore the modern health care managements give more emphasis on establishing effective nursing standards. The value of nursing practices emerges from the ingredients like respect, impartiality, dignity and tolerance. Nursing interventions are strategies designed to prevent a disease at its early stages of development. The nursing interventions suggested for Carol greatly comply with current literature. In general cases, substance users do not know the horrible impacts of drugs intake. Hence, in order to effectively treat an alcoholic or drug addict, it is necessary to enlighten them regarding the potential risk factors associated with the alcohol or drug addiction. Moreover, the initial awareness sessions may be beneficial for Carole to realize that she is still younger to begin a new life. Since the willpower plays a great role in determining a disease recovery time, every treatment practice has to start from a counseling program. Similarly, nurses’ approach toward the patient can have a great role in the treatment process. As sustained indifference is a complex psychological issue to resolve, nurses must plan an elaborated treatment plan which may take more time to produce outcomes. The given case scenario supports that Carole has been an indifferent person from her childhood; therefore, nurses must be willing to devote more time and patience to Carole’s recovery. Since major depression is a highly complex psychological condition, nurses must make use of every modern treatment methods that can prevent Carol from going to a more depressive condition. References Cannabis and psychotic illness. (2010). SANE: Australia, Retrieved from http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/547-cannabis-and-psychotic-illness Cameron valley/ addictions. (2010). Cameron Valley: Psychotherapy & Counseling Associates. Retrieved from http://camvalley.com/page2/page41/page41.html Stafford, J & Burns, L. (2010). Australian Drug Trends 2010: Finding from the illicit drugs reporting system (IDRS). Australian Drug Trends Series No.55, 1-168. Retrieved from http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/NDARCWeb.nsf/resources/2010IDRS1/$file/National_+IDRS_2010.pdf Read More