Substance Abuse Issues: A Case Study

Edward is an approximately 30 yo Caucasian male who lives in California. Edward presented in the interview as relaxed and confident, sitting with his arm stretched over the couch. Edward stated his main goal today was in the spirit of helping others by telling his prescription substance use disorder story.

At our time touring CeDAR, we were introduced to the CeDAR Family Program. This week-long program allows for the family members of an individual undergoing substance abuse treatment to learn about addiction and how to better deal with their loved one’s illness. They are also given tools for their own coping and recovery. According to the CeDAR website “research shows participation in our addiction family support program helps increase overall recovery rates” (Family Services: CeDAR, 2016, paragraph 4).

Substance abuse remains a large problem in the United States (US). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), substance abuse continues to take a large toll on individuals, families, and communities nationwide. In 2005, an estimated 22 million people were struggling with drug and alcohol abuse in the US. Substance abuse disrupts families, impacts work and school productivity, causes financial problems, and is related to domestic violence, child abuse, and crime (USDHHS, 2015).

In 2015, there were 428,000 children in foster care (Kids count, 2018). The average age of a child, entering the foster care system is 7.4 years. In 2014, more than half the children entering the foster care system in the United States where children of color. On average, children entering the foster care system remain in the system for two years, but seven percent stay in the system for five or more years. Fourteen percent of the children entering the system live in a foster home or group homes. In 2014, more than 107,000 children in foster care were waiting to be adopted (Children’s Bureau, 2014).

On 08/12/15, Mr. Harrison’s mother reported that Mr. Harrison was not living at his reported address (104 Hudson St, Clayton DE 19938). Mr. Harrison mother stated that Mr. Harrison is living in Wilmington, DE with a friend. She could not confirm the address. Mr. Harrison has failed to report his new address with 72 hours.

Mr. Landaverde reported that he does not have any medical illnesses and has not been prescribed any medications. Mr. Landaverde reported that he went to the doctor in August 2016 for a regular checkup. Mr. Landaverde stated that he normally goes to the doctor every six months. Mr. Landaverde reported that he has never been hospitalized in the past. Mr. Landaverde reported that he does not have any emotional or psychiatric problems. Mr. Landaverde stated that he has never been to counseling. He stated to the best of his recollections, neither one of his parents have ever suffered from a substance related disorder.

“Catherine” is a 31 year old, divorced female who is currently employed as a receptionist at a local human service organization. Last week, she began a treatment program for alcohol and cocaine dependency. Catherine lives with her 5 year-old daughter, “Joy,” in a home near her place of work. Despite little earnings from her job, she has managed to take care of herself and her daughter without monetary support from Joy’s father. Catherine was married to Joy’s father when she was 25 years old, but they divorced after he started abusing her physically. Joy’s father was an alcoholic, a condition that contributed towards the demise of their marriage. Catherine has not had contact with her former husband since they ended the marriage. Catherine’s mother, a widow, has been of great support. Catherine’s cousins, “Jane” and “Cynthia,” have also been of great help. Catherine stated that Jane and Cynthia, are the only family she feels she can depend on. Catherine is the eldest of four children.

One of the treatments used are behavioral or psychosocial Interventions. Research on behavioral/psychosocial interventions has made noteworthy advances in the past decade. Controlled trials now offer good evidence that several psychosocial treatment approaches can be effective in treating substance abuse. Some of these interventions are based on modalities that have been effectively used with adults and altered considerably (Riggs, P. D, 2003). Family based interventions include family therapy, parent management training, and multidimensional family therapy. They are based on family systems theory and share the assumption that dysfunctional family dynamics contribute to substance abuse problems (Riggs, P. D, 2003). Parents are shown better monitoring skills, and basic social organization principles to improve their adolescents behavior and reduce drug abuse together with strategies to improve overall family functioning and sustain to gain benefits from the treatment. Community reinforcement therapy combines values and techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, family therapy, and motivational often using encouragements to enhance treatment outcomes (Riggs, P. D, 2003). There are plenty of other methods used to treat substance

Alcohol and opiate abuse is often collectively referred to as substance abuse. Addiction to alcohol and opiates can have debilitating effects on individuals, their families, and the society. Although there is significant awareness of repercussions related to substance abuse, this problem persists in the United States (U.S.). Primary care providers (PCP) can treat alcohol abuse management and with additional training they can also treat opiate abuse (Uphold & Graham, 2013).

This paper examines the consequences following the use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Drug and alcohol dependence are exhausting psychiatric disorders that are common and associated with high morbidity and death rates (Wong, 2011). Substance use disorders are among the largest sources of medical disability in the world and also represent a major public health concern globally (Mari, 2013). This paper also discusses the possible causes and problems associated with addictions as well as potential treatment options.

The patient arrived on time for his counseling session. Reported stability on his current dose and denies the need for a dose increase when offered. Please note, the patient accepted a dose decrease about a week ago and reported that he is adjusting fine with the change. During the course of the session, the patient discuss about the philosphy of Alan Watts-Zen and Buddhism. The patient reflects about his life and his current practice of such religion as it reflects of who he is as a person and about

There are many individuals that are incarcerated that are part of a substance abuse program that provides treatments and different methods to help them overcome their addiction. There are often moments where these offenders have characteristics that affect the treatment all due to criminal thinking and criminal value (NCBI, 2005). Many times, these criminal justice clients resist treatment and deny that they have a substance abuse problem, which can create chronic problems for them if they do not seek rehabilitation (NCBI, 2005). Often, offenders usually will have psychosocial problems that can contribute to their substance abuse, which they have no control over after a period (NCBI, 2005). With these psychological issues, it can cause the individual to have a low self-esteem, depression, anxiety; and also enhanced expectations on the use of substances (NCBI, 2005).

Client met with his counselor because he needed to talk about a situation that he was bothering him. Client has concerns about this relationship and wrote a letter to his girlfriend apologizing for his behavior and wanting to make it work between to the two of them. Client shared that he explain to her the he understands how she could feel abandon and he wants to start a new. The client went on to talk about his family and their addiction. Client discuss the his two sister and father and mother were all addicted. both of the sister got clean and one has became a substance abuse counselor and other one work and well. Client further explain that he his mother went onto a program on the day after he was admitted to a program. The client doesn't

Along with biology playing a role with addictions, it is also important to evaluate a person’s family patterns of substance abuse and environmental factors. For behaviors can be learned by observing others and embracing sociocultural influences. In the case of my brother, he did not witness the life of our grandfather, but he did witness our father’s struggle with alcohol. Not only was he an eyewitness to our father’s drinking, he also saw our relatives and family friends drink as well. At a young age, it was not uncommon to celebrate our family parties and holidays without serving several cases of beer. Not only did my brother observe the lifestyle of drinking as a child, but he also saw it among his friends during his adolescents/teen years as well.

This essay is based on a client Ibrahim (30 year old, male) who is currently living with his three siblings with their biological father and step mother. The client has a history of juvenile delinquency with outrageous behavior. Due the suspensions from the school, he has a low academic performance. Currently, he is jobless due to abusing drugs and low academic performance, which made him feel depressed. The purpose of the essay is to evaluate the clients’ problems with the help of consistency theory and understand the possible neurological underpinnings that may have occurred in his brain. Also recommend possible interventions that are most fitting for client.