Handling The Green Drug And Substance Use

At the beginning of my training, I was hesitant to work with people struggling with addiction. However, at this point, I am excited to begin working with this population. The raw honesty presented in the group setting along with the anger at the possibility of losing a safe place created a dynamic I wanted to further explore. Research supports that individuals attending group therapy in a 12 step program format succeed if they have the proper support and motivation (Cite). The group dynamic demonstrated that recovery takes time and self-discovery, similar to other situations dealt with in therapy. Subsequently, by using my sense of self and humor with clients struggling with addiction, I can help them in their journey. Furthermore, the client needs to identify accountability at their own pace in the process and not when others dictate. This knowledge and the personalization of addiction will aid me in the future support of my

“As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day ‘Thy will be done.’ We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves” – Alcohol Anonymous. Alcohol and gambling are two addictions that impair an individual judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Moreover, the focus of this paper will explore the two different types of meetings I attended and then compare and contrast both.

Substance abuse is a very widely known public epidemic in today's society. Many people are unfortunately plagued by this issue. According to Emedicinehealth.com (2012), “People abuse substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for varied and complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost,” (para. 1). People that are affected by substance abuse includes a very different range of people. Many that abuse the substances end up having health-related problems which in turn increases the need for health care. Other people that are affected by substance abuse are the family members and friends of the abusers because they have to deal with the person abusing the substances. Things that can be abused are

PO was on time and moderately participated in the group activities. PO demonstrated an understanding of the topic by sharing some of his personal maladaptive thinking with peers, such as “Putting people down, blaming other people, and unconcerned about how other people are affected.” PO was engaged well in the group process today. PO had a positive response to treatment.

Although, PO appears to be aware and understand how alcohol and drug use negatively impact him physically and mentally, he is not yet implementing recommended changes. Further family work, anger management, education about addiction, and abstinent from alcohol and all mind-altering substances therefore are required to increase PO's readiness to change.

Substance abuse is a tragedy that touches many lives. Abuse begins with a single use event that, with continued use and overindulgence, transforms into a battle. The abuser most always loses that battle. Personal relationships, social ties, and employment suffers. Irresponsible and erratic behavior becomes the norm, and though the abuser is aware on some level of the reckless and thoughtless acts that they commit, they continue to use and abuse their drug of choice. What starts as experimentation often ends in addiction. The best hope for a person in the grips of substance abuse is immediate,

PO was on time and moderately participated in the group activities. PO stated “I am in action stage of change because I am actively dealing with my problems. I go to meeting 2-3 times per week, focus on treatment and work. I am also working on rebuilding trust and healthy relationships with my kids and other family members”. It appears that PO is making a steady change while in recovery as evidenced by staying clean and sober, and attending treatment and going to self-help meetings on a regular basis to maintain his sobriety. PO had a positive response to treatment.

Behavioral Healthcare professionals are likely to encounter individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). These are highly prevalent and often co-occur with Mental Health Disorders. SUDs affect vital areas of life, such as physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Recovery from addiction is a long a road with highs and lows, however having a strong support system makes facing these challenges manageable. Addiction support groups gives the person a safe place to discuss these challenges while maintaining sobriety. They offer invaluable education, guidance, and the encouragement the patient needs to succeed in living a healthier lifestyle.

PO had a moderate level of participation as evidenced by completing the worksheet, and sharing strategies that he could use to cope with high risk situations with other group members. PO actively engaged in role-play on handling unexpected high risk situations. PO states that his sponsor and sober friends help him to make a better choices and decisions. PO was rarely distracted and stayed on the topic throughout the group process. PO had a positive response to treatment.

Mr. Charles’ ability to maintain sobriety and learn a healthy lifestyle of recovery, taking into account that his drug dependence will only continue and possibly increase if untreated. Mr. Charles would benefit from an outpatient treatment program in order to become educated regarding the dangers of substance use/abuse. Mr. Charles will also be able to process his patterns of drug use and learn to recognize triggers that lead to his substance abuse. Mr. Charles will also be able to learn the effects and consequences of substance abuse and how to remain abstinent from drugs. While in group therapy, Mr. Charles will learn appropriate techniques to resist peer pressure to drug use as well as assist him in developing a supportive network to encourage him to maintain abstinence. The intervention would assist to minimize the possibility of Mr. Charles’ drug use from progressing into the late stages of chemical dependency.

Objectives/Progress: As the Pt. has participated in the AMS program since 8/24/16 and he has been able to maintain abstinence from all illicit drugs for 6 months straight t. Pt.'s UDS has shown no evidence of drug use or lapse/relapse. Pt. is currently in the action stage of change as indicated by reminding himself of how much progress he has made and ability to change his behavior and achieve goals during the past quarter. He has currently obtained a full-time job as a shelving installer. Patient reports as scheduled to receive maintenance medication services as instructed by AMS Doctor and attends all mandatory one therapy session once a month. He continues to share his understanding of being powerless and unmanageable over his addiction. During the next quarter sessions, Counselor will support a realistic view of change through small steps.

Met with PO for an individual session to discuss treatment progress and concerns. PO was on time with a delightful attitude. PO has a positive response to treatment, and is in compliance with treatment expectations. Reported no alcohol or substance use, clean and sober date as 11-03-2015. Indicated that he "got a driver license", the first driver license in his life, and plans to buy a car and insurance next week. PO stated that he keeps himself busy as boredom is one of his major relapse triggers. New ISP was established in Dim. 5 to develop a balanced life style without substance use.

Mr. Gibson moderately participated in the group activities. He completed the handout, identified what his high risk situations are, and stated that talking to sober friends and going to support meeting help him to cope with stress and boredom. Mr. Gibson indicated that he is looking for a career change as he is getting tired for working 14 hours per day. Stated that he wants to be able to spend quality time with his

Substance abuse and addiction have become a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends. Just one example reveals the extent of the problem: in the United States each year, more women and men die of smoking related lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined (Kola & Kruszynski, 2010). In addition to the personal impact of so much illness and early death, there are dire social costs: huge expenses for medical and social services; millions of hours lost in the workplace; elevated rates of crime associated with illicit drugs; and scores of children who are damaged by their parents’ substance abuse behavior (Lee, 2010). This paper will look at

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All