Laurels Recovery Center Reaction Paper

Todd and Reggis is a same-sex couple. Same-sex relationships commonly attract significant stereotyping in the United States. While handling clients, the human services professional must not base their decisions on such stereotypes. In the case at hand, the professional much guard against racial stereotyping as well. Reggie is black while Todd is white. The past of the two clients, all of them having been convicted and jailed before, can also influence the professional’s judgment if they do not stick with the standards required of them. While both Reggie and Todd have a history of using drugs, it would be inappropriate for the human service professional to conclude that the problems in their relationship are all drug-related. Such a stand is critical even though the society commonly links most addicts to violence and crime.

Throughout our culture, stigma against people with drug addiction is present. Instead of being treated as people with mental illnesses, drug addicts are simply regarded as criminals. Addicts are often so overwhelmed with shame that they don’t seek treatment. These are just a few examples of how stigma perpetuates our culture and how it is detrimental to those who are addicted. It is imperative that we destigmatize addiction by treating it as what it truly is- a mental illness and allowing addicts to be open about their addiction and treatment.

As a physician, situated in Vancouver, Maté is no stranger to vulnerable drug addicts. Most of his clients are addicted to cocaine, alcohol, opiates, or tranquilizers and many suffer from mental illness. (288)

According to the SAMHSA (2010) report on the national survey on drug use and health almost 22.5 million people are reported to be associated with substance abuse disorder (SAMHSA, 2010). This illness was found to be very common in all age groups, both sex, and seniors. There are several effects on these individuals and their families. Many people who suffer from substance abuse disorders fail to acknowledge these serious consequences. First of all, no response of pain relief can be seen with smaller doses of pain medications, as their bodies are used to high levels of various substances at the same time. Nurses become frustrated when they try to treat and help these patients with pain. Sometimes it is difficult to think about ethical principles when nurses have to deal with such patients with pain and suffering.

Drug dependence is a health disorder that arises with exposure to drugs, as well pre-existing psychological vulnerabilities. Many people with a drug dependence have gone through an emotional trauma at some point in their lives. In many cases, drug use is a ‘side effect’ of a bigger emotional problem going on in their lives. Incarceration of these individuals would be

“Addiction is a choice not a disease”, is a common phrase that stigmatizes drug addiction in our everyday language. The lack of public knowledge about this social problem causes widespread stigmatization and discrimination of the ill. As a result, many individuals who seriously need professional help feel isolated and hopeless, making it harder for them to recover.

Long term, it is much easier and cheaper to perform preventive health care than to try to manage acute and/ or chronic diseases. All at risk individuals should be given education on the dangers of developing a substance abuse problem, emphasizing that it can happen to anyone- young or old, rich or poor, etc. Health care providers need to address the supposed invincibility commonly associated with those who excessive drink alcohol or use drugs. These individuals are not quite as invincible nor do most have everything as under control as they may think. Although many may know the dangers, it is important to explain that the negative health impacts may not be noticeable right away, but the damage is still being done. Additionally, these at risk patients should work with social workers or case management to set up referrals to substance abuse cessation programs within the

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a government-based organization that makes it their goal to understand the causes of drug abuse as well as other factors that contribute to complete comprehension of the issue. On past studies in substance abuse regarding specifically mental health, the Institute states that “...people with severe mental illness were about 4 times more likely to be heavy alcohol users… and 4.6 times more likely to use... drugs at least 10 times in their lives” (“Severe mental” 1). These shown statistics prove that the chances of someone dealing with substance abuse are relatively higher if that person has a severe mental illness, rather than not have one at all. It can be concluded, in conjunction with these findings, that victims of the illness use these substances as a means of coping with their disorder. If McCandless had as severe of a mental illness as DID, it would be safe for one to assume that he would also abuse alcohol and drugs, as well.

D.D. is a 50-year-old, African American male presenting with a number of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The client reports that he came to counseling for “extra support and someone to talk to.” D.D. has been struggling with mental health issues since he was young. Since the age of 15 he has been hospitalized on and off for “hearing voices.” In the early 1980’s he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and prescribed Risperdal to treat the symptoms. Since then, D.D. has been in a variety of mental health settings, including hospitals, day programs, and outpatient treatment. The client has an extensive alcohol and drug use history that he believes impacted his Schizophrenia. In the early 1980’s the client would use alcohol every day “to avoid the voices,” drinking “anything he could get his hands on.” He was also heavily involved with drugs at that time and regularly used marijuana, PCP, cocaine, and heroine. In 2000, the client was sentenced to eight years in jail for four bank robberies. While in jail, D.D. received mental health treatment and alcohol and drug treatment, which was greatly beneficial. When the client was released from jail in 2008, he was drug and alcohol free and was taken off of Risperdal.

Drug addiction and mental illness are two topics that are becoming more popular for discussion in American households. As stated from DrugAbuse.com, “mental illness is common amongst a population suffering from substance abuse and addiction. The relationship is so strong that many people believe the drugs play a causative role in the development of the mental illness. In most instances, this is not the case. In the United States, approximately 8.9 million people have both a mental health and a substance abuse issue”. This overwhelming amount of the United States population is often give as a dual diagnosis making persons suffering

     Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which entitles me to long hours of therapy to help me understand and deal with my illness. Although I

Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental disorder. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt the work and actually change how the brain performs its jobs; these changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Drug abuse plays a major role when concerning mental health. It is very difficult for these individuals to engage in treatment. Diagnosis for a treatment is difficult because it takes time to disengage the interacting effects of substance abuse and the mental illness. It may also be difficult for substance abusers to be accommodated at home and it may not be tolerated in the community of residents of rehabilitation programs. The author states, that they end up losing their support systems

There is an estimated 20.8 million Americans aged 12 and older (8.3 percent of the population) in 2008 who needed treatment but did not receive it at a specialty facility, more than 95 percent (95.2) felt they didn’t need it. This statistic comes from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).Among the 20.8 million individuals who needed treatment but did not receive it, 3.7 percent felt they needed treatment but did not make an effort to get it and 1.1 percent felt they needed treatment, did make an effort to get it, but did not receive treatment. This shows how many people are affected by these circumstances and do not get the professional help they

Bipolar disorder is a much more serious disease than I had ever thought. Until recently, I just thought it was not being able to make up ones mind about which emotion to portray. Frequently, I used the term to describe people that I perceived as being temperamental or unstable. During my shift on the medical floor for work, I came in contact with my first true bipolar patient. When I first introduced myself to her, she was friendly and what I thought was a ‘normal’ patient. Small talk was made about where I am from, where I attend college, how long I have worked here, if I have a boyfriend, and

Sometimes, people with drug addictions and certain types of mental illness often experience particularly negative attitudes from others based on beliefs that they are dangerous and have anti-social behavior. Because of these stereotyping, people don’t seek support for drug addiction, mental issues in fear of experiencing bad treatment, judgement from others