Substance Abuse Counseling - Research Paper Example

? Substance Abuse Counseling Substance Abuse Counseling Introduction Lisa needs counseling and support to overcome her substance abuse to recover fully. I will need to implement a screening, intervention and treatment plan in phases to prioritize Lisa’s problems and treatment needs. This will allow Lisa and I to establish the problem or need to be dealt with the earliest. Most times, addicts systems have more than one problem or pending need. I must be able to reassess the problems-person-environment and be conscious of my relationship with Lisa. In order to assess which problem or need to address first, I will need to use the Problem Prioritization Scale. The scale has the ability to measure the problems’ potential for change using a point system (Timberlake, et al., 2008). According readings from the scale and the previous interview, it is evident that Lisa’s problem with drugs and alcohol has the highest potential for change. Lisa’s substance abuse problem has caused her psychological, biological, social, cultural and spiritual distress. Substance Abused and Implications of Abuse It is evident that Lisa has abused marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. Currently, she is abusing alcohol and methamphetamines. Additionally, it is notable that Lisa started abusing these substances at a remarkably tender age and her violent nature was shaped while growing up. This means that Lisa will require a complete mental overhaul on how she perceives life. A total change of attitude is inevitable (Ghodse, 2011). Implications of marijuana abuse include decreased coordination, unexplained behavior changes, increased risk of infection, altered social relationships, cognitive deficits and cardiovascular effects. Treatment requires a combination of social support, education, drug monitoring and attention to psychiatric conditions and comorbid medical intervention. Alcohol abuse leads to brain damage, liver disease, diabetes, stroke, financial problems, family problems, impaired judgment and stress. Cocaine abuse leads to lack of self-control, impaired thinking, irritability, paranoia and restlessness. The implications of heroin abuse include heart diseases, liver failure, kidney disease, pulmonary complications and skin infections. Heroin overdose may lead to death. Methamphetamines abuse implications are chronic addiction, confusion, anxiety, insomnia, and violent behavior and mood disturbances. Users also show signs of psychotic symptoms, which are hallucinations, paranoia and delusions (Timberlake, Zajicek-Farber & Sabation, 2008). Biological Predispositions Research shows that those who abuse marijuana at an early age are more vulnerable to schizophrenia and mental madness. Experts estimate that between 8% and 13% of all schizophrenia cases in the world are linked to marijuana. Many research studies show that the risk is higher when the drugs are used by persons under the age of 21 years. This is because the human brain is vulnerable and developing rapidly. Biological predispositions of alcohol abuse include confusion and lack of concentration due to the effects of alcohol in the body. A person who has abused alcohol is most vulnerable to various injuries due to impaired judgment, which may lead to eventual death. The liver is most affected and in some cases, severe damage occurs to the liver. Cocaine has a severe biological predisposition in the body by leading to addiction. A person who abuses cocaine experiences instances of increased intake of cocaine gradually since the body’s dependence on the drug increases. The biological predisposition of substance abuse leads to an overall deterioration of the persons health (Floyd & Seale, 2002). Family Considerations Substance abuse leads to severe strains on the family. The person on substance abuse may feel neglected by other family members due to their habits. A family that has had a history of a substance abusing parent will mostly influence the children. This is evident from Lisa’s history where the father was a substance abuse victim. The father was a bad example to Lisa, who followed in his footsteps. The fights that she watched while growing up have had a toll on her and she perceives this as the only way to express herself. Violence is the way to respected by other people is what she knows (Lowinson, 2005). The other factor that Lisa is suffering from is the fact that she might lose custody of her child if convicted. Despite the fact that she might also be jailed, the issue of being separated from her child is a tremendous burden to her since she will be perceived as not being responsible. From the interview herein, it is evident that Lisa’s actions are justified according to her and if convicted, there is a likelihood of her falling into depression. These repercussions will adversely affect her since she has grown up knowing that what she does when high on substance, is proper. A strong family support is the paramount solution for Lisa’s recovery and rehabilitation from substance abuse. Lisa’s father had a deep impact on her life in terms of influence and this is one of the major reasons, she hallucinates with her father, Lisa claims to have heard her father’s voice when she was committing the crimes. There is a deep influence on her by the father, who died 10 years ago and therefore rehabilitation and change of mind are paramount for her full recovery (Lowinson, 2005). Cultural Considerations Since what Lisa did was not in accordance to cultural practices, there is need to analyze the cultural considerations relevant to her case. As a mother, Lisa ought to be more responsible and expectations of her being a role model to her kid are high. The main issue in Lisa’s case is that it the problem seems to run in the family. Evidently, the father influenced Lisa heavily and if actions are not taken to rehabilitate her, then she will influence her kid. The society places a heavy burden on her as a girlfriend, mother and as an adult. Family and cultural ethics dictate that parents should be role models to their children and they should behave according to laid strict cultural values, which are then instilled on the children. This was not the case in Lisa’s case since the father was a substance abuser and a wife batterer. He also trained Lisa that violence was the key to being a tough woman. Lisa cannot be blamed wholly since these are the vital lessons she learnt unfortunately from her father who was supposed to be the head of family and a role model (Timberlake, Zajicek-Farber & Sabation, 2008). Therapy Model Addiction is a recognized medical disease whereas a substance abuse treatment is a method of medical care. A substance abuse therapy model should be a holistic approach, which treats entirely the person on substance abuse and not only addiction. There are a variety of available treatments including didactic group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, motivational interviewing and organized recreational therapy. A cognitive behavioral therapy is a result-orientated form of counseling but limited in duration although proven highly effective in treating a large range of mental health issues including depression, eating disorders and substance abuse. It is a patient based treatment and on a one-on-one basis where patients undergo a questioning and examination program focusing on the here and now and not the past. Therapists have the ideology of our thoughts being the drivers of our behaviors and feelings and not external factors like situations, events or people. The beneficial fact here is people can change their way of thinking in order to act and feel better regardless of the situation at hand. Cognitive behavioral therapy effectively encourages rehabilitation of persons with substance abuse in order to change their way of thinking, thus eliminating negative thoughts (Ruiz, Strain & Lowinson, 2011). Didactic group therapy has a classroom setting consisting of support groups. People with similar cases of substance abuse are brought together in a group where they open up individually and discuss their experiences with the group. The main objective is eliminating the negative habits that are fueled by unhealthy thinking patterns, which pose grave obstacles in achieving, recovery successfully. This is a method of disconnecting the vicious cycle of addictive behavior. This therapy instills problem-solving methods rationally that alter thinking patters and dysfunctional beliefs (Ruiz, Strain & Lowinson, 2011). Hypnosis therapy (Hypnotherapy) assists the patient make changes they would wish to make after failure in doing and achieving the same. It makes them more open to various suggestions and alterations that are proposed in their behavior. Research shows that this type of therapy increases the ability of addicts recovering in adopting new behavior patterns and due to the deep relaxation involved, it addresses naturally the patients’ management of handling cravings and stress (Connors, Donovan & DiClemente, 2001). Motivational Interviewing therapy encourages addicts to get clean. Treatment here involves a back and forth manner, nonjudgmental, as the patient actively contributes possible solutions and ideas during the discussion. Research proves it particularly effective by giving leeway to the addict to explore and come up with his or her own solutions on how to surmount the problem of substance abuse (Lewis, Dana & Blevins, 2009). Organized recreation therapy involves reconnection of the addict and family members through recreational activities, which range from picnics, BBQs and playing games. This gives the addict a sense of belonging in the family and thus offering a reliable conducive environment for rehabilitation through the family support (Lowinson, 2005). Assessment and diagnosis Lisa needs a combination of all the therapies mentioned herein since the addiction of substance abuse has its roots from the family and it is not an isolated case. The father modeled her to what she is currently and therefore the therapies will involve her and the family. She will also have an opportunity to brainstorm herself on possible viable solutions for her predicament. A support system will be vital to adequate effective recovery for Lisa and it will comprise of family members. A report will also be necessary to assist Lisa on her legal case showing that she is undergoing a substance abuse treatment and to request for probation terms in case she is convicted (Lowinson, 2005). Treatment Plan and Intervention Strategies Lisa’s treatment plan will consist of a personality treatment disorder since it is the main cause of her predicaments. Isolation from her gang is also inevitable since they do have a direct influence on her. What Lisa requires an overall mental overhaul where new and positive information is regularly provided to her to ensure that her life perspective changes. This will be made by use of the earlier mentioned therapies and motivational talks. The family will be a valuable asset since she needs a sense of belonging (Lewis, Dana & Blevins, 2009). Ethical and Legal considerations The basic ethical and legal considerations that will be considered include the principles of justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and fidelity. Others include professional codes of ethics or standards and consultation. Legal considerations ensure that confidentiality is adhered to and the rights of Lisa are met constitutionally without any breach of the law (Connors, Donovan & DiClemente, 2001). Conclusion Lisa’s case has a lot to do with her personality, peer pressure and a wrong up bring. Lisa requires to be gradually consulted as various therapies are applied to change her life’s perspectives. A probation report will assist her get a probation sentence outside the jail so that she can continue with the treatment as well as meet with her kid. Overtime, Lisa will be a reformed person with a positive attitude. Reference Connors, G. J., Donovan, D. M., & DiClemente, C. (2001). Substance abuse treatment and the stages of change: Selecting and planning interventions. New York: Guilford Press. Floyd, M. R., & Seale, J. P. (2002). Substance abuse: A patient-centered approach. Abingdon, U.K: Radcliffe Medical Press. Ghodse, H. (2011). Substance abuse disorders: Evidence and experience. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., & Blevins, G. A. (2009). Substance abuse counseling. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co. Lowinson, J. H. (2005). Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, Penns: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Ruiz, P., Strain, E. C., & Lowinson, J. H. (2011). Lowinson and Ruiz's substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Timberlake, E.M., Zajicek-Farber, M.L. & Sabatino, C.A. (2008). Generealist social work practice. A strengths-based problem-solving approach (5th Ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Read More