Relevant Diversity, Legal and Ethical Issues Associated with Alcohol Abuse Using Psychodynamic Therapy - Essay Example

? Relevant Diversity, Legal and Ethical Issues Associated with Alcohol Abuse Using Psychodynamic Therapy name and number: Date submitted Abstract Human psychology has taken a vital step theoretically and practically in comprehending an individual as a unity in the comportment of therapy. Therapy means the interventions into emotional and cognitive structure of the patient, amelioration of emotional malfunctions. Most of the time, it takes the form of psychotherapy with or without unambiguous consideration of the body. Empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in treating alcohol abuse (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Psychodynamic effects are as prodigious as those of other therapies have been reported to be, being equally promoted as empirically sustained and evidence centered. In addition, individuals who receive psychodynamic therapy sustain therapeutic gains and seem to continue to improve after therapy intervention. Introduction Alcohol abuse is a psychiatric diagnosis explaining the recurring use of alcohol despite the harmful magnitudes. Alcohol addicts can be placed into two categories: Pleasure-searching, and the anti-social tendencies, and those alcoholics that are anxiety-ridden-individuals who can survive without drinking for a longer time but will always be unable to behave themselves once they go back to it. Alcoholism can be treated or prevented through various therapies; however this paper focuses on one vital therapy known as psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is the subdivision of psychotherapy which efforts to help individuals apprehend the roots of any emotional suffering they may be feeling. This is accomplished by discovering desires, psychological defense mechanisms and comatose motives. It is an understanding oriented process of therapy because therapists are eyeing for insights into the mind’s unconscious procedures and how they affect human conduct (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). The main objective of this therapeutic process is to make addicts aware of the impact that past practices and occasions have on their present lives. It can aid settle past conflicts as well as matters rising from past dysfunctional relationships. It is resultant from the psychoanalytical technique that Sigmund Freud investigated. It was given the label psychodynamic by Dr. Freud. Freud felt that the mankind psyche was made up of numerous different levels and that it is the insensible mind which comprises events from their past. He felt that elapsed practices can still affect mankind current behavior (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Different tactics to explain psychodynamic therapy have developed from psychoanalytic theory and clinically applied to a wide variety of psychological disorders. Short-term psychodynamic therapies may subsidize the armamentarium of interventions for alcohol abuse disorders (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Momentary psychodynamic therapies may have the best opportunity to be effective when assimilated into a moderately wide-ranging alcohol abuse treatment program. Brief psychodynamic therapies are of significant help after abstinence is well recognized. They may be more valuable for patient with no greater than relative severity of alcohol abuse. It is extremely vital for the psychodynamic therapists understand the pharmacology of alcohol abuse, the subculture of alcohol abuse. In addition, the therapists have to be familiar with diversity, legal aspects, and ethics related to use of psychodynamic therapy in treating alcohol abuse. These three elements are discussed in the following paragraphs. Diversities: Psychodynamic therapy can be used in family therapy, individual psychotherapy, and group psychotherapy. Family therapy, also denoted as family counseling, is a branch of psychodynamic that deals with alcohol addicted family members and couples in cherished relationships to cultivate development and change (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). It tends to understand change in terms of the system of socialization among family members. It advocates family relationships as an essential influence in psychological health. Group therapy is a practice of psychodynamic therapy wherein one or more therapists intervenes a small group of alcoholics together as a group. It can legitimately refer to any practice of psychodynamic when delivered in a group design, involving Cognitive behavioral therapy. Most of the time, the group consists of more than one addicts. However, it is often applied to psychodynamic group therapy in which the group environment and group process are openly utilized as a tool of change by exploring, examining, and developing interpersonal relationship within alcohol addicts group. On the other hand, individual therapy is a form of psychodynamic therapy in which the focus is on one person alone. Therapist comes face to face with alcohol addict for counseling and encouragement. In this case, psychodynamic therapy refers to verbal consultations between the addict and the therapist (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Psychodynamic therapy focuses to upsurge the individual’s sense of own psychological health. Therapists apply a variety of techniques based on empirical relationship dialogue, behavior, and communication change that are intended to progress the mental health of an alcohol addict individual. Legal issues: Some of the legal practices that should be put into exercise during psychodynamic therapy for alcohol abuse involve informed consent, and confidentiality. Informed consent is purposed to meet the ethical obligation of autonomy and respect for individuals with whom therapists are treating. When therapist explains the counseling procedure and restriction and the objective of that procedure to the addict, therapist should offer the patient with the chance to decide whether to join or reject counseling (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Therapist offering psychodynamic therapy for alcohol addicts, they should take the addict’s cognitive and capacity influences into account when discussing the restrictions of confidentiality and informed consent. Also, therapists should take into consideration whether the patient is intoxicated, has had long-term influence from alcohol use or any other influence that might impair the patient’s understanding of the purpose of the counseling procedure. Confidentiality, when working with alcohol addicts, can be a complicating circumstance. Laws and regulations concerning confidentiality and privilege differ from one state to another (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). The ground rules for therapist and the patient’s state are invaluable and necessary information, including alcohol addiction and rehabilitation. As with informed consent, therapists should be sure to define confidentiality in a way the patient can understand. For therapists to maintain the patient’s trust, they must make every determination so that the patient believes they will keep conversations confidential. Ethical standards: In the case of rehab centers, the therapy services offered must be a high standard of ethics to assure the best possible addiction interventions is received. Individuals looking for treatment, for themselves or their family, need to feel secure about the care offered especially in long-term rehab facility. Interventions without a pledge to ethics may discourage many individuals from receiving the assistance they need to stop drinking alcohol. Reputable intervention centers offer equitable interventions to every patient in their programs. Most of the time media depict alcohol dependence as a poor choice rather than as a disease. Individual suffering from alcohol addiction is always in need of medical attention, professional, and not just psychological therapy or life encouragement. Stereotypes and stigmas have no spot in an alcohol addiction treatment center. It is essential for professionals to recognize equal treatment is not the solution because each alcohol addict has their own peculiar set of problems that need a personalized solution (Enoch, and Goldman, 2002). Ethical care in psychodynamic therapy is not just about making obligations to alcoholics and their relatives; it is about fulfilling those promises and being trustworthy about how challenging and erratic alcohol addiction can be. In conclusion, psychodynamic therapy is a highly communicating procedure between the therapist and the patient. It includes numerous sessions over a long time, even years. The ultimate objective of psychodynamic therapy is to educate an individual a fresh mental skill, and eliminate the mental link between the past conflicts and the present-day alcohol abuse. Reference Enoch M., and Goldman D. (2002). Problem Drinking and Alcoholism: Diagnosis and Treatment, 65(3):441-449. Read More