Blueprint II: A Case Study

The drug misuse and dependence policy, aims to support people misusing drugs to live safe and free from a drug dependence life (Department of Health, 2015). With this policy in place drug treatments are becoming more successful with 18% of people staying in treatment and leaving drug free (Department of Health, 2015) this shows the policy is successful and works with people to reduce drug dependency (HM Government, 2012). 193,198 people aged 18 and over were in treatment for drug use during 2013 to 2014, 29,150 of these patients completed treatment and have overcome their drug dependency (Public Health England, 2014). From when the policy was first introduced, drug use is at its lowest since measurement began in 1996 (Featherstone, 2013).

This highlights the importance of the chosen service improvement, not only for individuals with mental health issues but for those at risk of developing mental illness and the NHS as a whole. These recommendations are present in No Health without Mental Health: A Guide for General Practice (DoH, 2012, online), The NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13 (DoH, 2011, online), and numerous others.

Darby, S. Marr, J. Crump, A Scurfield, M (1999) Older People, Nursing & Mental Health. Oxford: Buterworth-Heinemann.

Practice models used in treatment of substance abuse have up until recently only been recommended for the intervention of younger addicts. As a result, treatment approaches for older adults are lacking in evidence. However, screening for substance abuse is the first step towards determining if a more thorough assessment is needed. Cook et al. (1998) reported that it is necessary to take a holistic approach to treatment, and take a broader focus than just the chemical abuse because as people age their psychological and health problems become more complex (p. 146). Older adults face life changes and lack of poor support networks are more deeply felt. Bogunovic (2012) answered that, “A comprehensive evaluation should include a thorough physical examination and laboratory analysis and psychiatric, neurological, and social evaluation.” Such measures are effective when paired with screening

A national strategy for promoting mental wellbeing and mental health is No Health Without Mental Health.

al, 2012). Social workers need to consider modifying the traditional CBT when working with the elderly who may have developmental differences in cognitive functioning and sensory capacity (Rinfrette, 2009). The CBT approaches employed in the treatment of substance abuse elders are based on Marlatt and Gordon’s 1985 relapse prevention model that is identified by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a scientifically based treatment approach for substance use disorders (Cummings, Bride, & Rawlins-Shaw,

D2- Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision.

Wellbeing and quality of life for most people is enhanced through meaningful involvement and activity. It is crucial that individuals are involved in decisions that affect them. There are many ways in which such involvement can be facilitated and encouraged. Services should recognise the importance of social contact and

Addiction to any substance whether it be alcohol ,drugs prescribed or illegal or even the new legal highs can have turbulent effect on a person’s life, whether it be work, social or family life. It has been said that addiction in any form can be treated through intervention by relevant bodies, such as NHS Trust, Twelve Step Programs, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), to help the person overcome this compulsion through time and guidance, working towards a future clean and sober minded life. Drugs, alcohol, or any other chemical, artificially induced into the body, affects the way people see, speak, walk and hear. Albeit, theorists such as Dr Peele are staunch critics of the 12 steps model as advocated by Alcoholics Anonymous.

The primary areas that the social worker and Emilia need to focus on in treatment/intervention planning, involve several needs. Emilia has been unable to complete treatment for addiction, despite an honest desire to stop

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s overall goal is promote, reduce, and prevent mental illnesses and

Addressing barriers at an individual level will require an emphasis on educating the public on mental health issues. To address systemic barriers that exist at the macro-level, the following policy interventions have been advanced to deal with the treatment gap problem: (i) implementing a ‘life course’ perspective with prime attention to early detection and treatment, (ii) developing mental health literacy programs and campaigns, and (iii) delivering comprehensive, integrated, and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings. Each of these are discussed

A strong case can be made for investing in mental health, whether to enhance individual and world wellbeing, improve life span, or even to enable people living with mental illnesses to have a better quality of life. Mental health problems account for a quarter of all ill health yet they receive less than 6% of all health research funding, people with these health conditions usually experience poor access to help services and lower quality care than those with physical health problems. Addressing mental and physical health needs together would be more cost effective for the NHS and would benefit the increasing numbers of people dealing with untreated mental illness.

The recommendations of the Bramford Review (2006) became the much needed drive in policy change in Northern Ireland on how we view and treat mental health. Although it did not free mental health from stigma it did however bring about the recognition that mental health should be an inherent part of our policy. Despite this Northern Ireland still has the highest mental health figures in the UK, Fundamental Facts (2016) published by the Mental Health Organisation reported that Northern Ireland has a 25% higher overall prevalence of mental health problems than England. An area of concern is the rise of mental health issues amongst the younger generation, a survey carried out by the Northern Ireland Young Life and Times survey on the mental and emotional health of 16-year olds in Northern Ireland found that 29% of its respondents had serious personal emotional or mental health problems (Schubotz 2010).

Motivational Interviewing (MI) refers to a client centred counselling approach, which is directed to enhance motivation in an individual for behaviour change Miller & Rollnick (as cited in Christopher & Dougher, 2009). MI as a method understands and accepts that the clients are at different levels of readiness to change their behavior. It consistently focuses on goals to prepare the client for transformation by providing motivation for commitment to change (Bricker & Tollison, 2011) in the domains of substance abuse, addiction and risky health problems. It proceeds to make the client aware of the causes, consequences and risks that could be a result of the behavior. Through this, the client foresees the possibilities of enhancement and becomes motivated to achieve it (Jenson, Cushing, Aylward, Craig, Sorell & Steel, 2011). MI is coherent with the