preview

Melissa's Case Study Essay: The Road To Recovery

Decent Essays
Open Document

The road to recovery is one that many who have substance abuse problems might not like to consider at first. However, clinicians should be aware of what stage of change their client is in. Thus, the clinicians should listen attentively to what the client is saying because of the cues that will help determine the stage of change and how the clinician should approach the client. This being said, this essay will present Melissa’s case, discuss strategies to motivate change, adversity that she will encounter, and provide examples of how through motivational interviewing the ambivalence can be counteracted. To start with, the case will be focused on Melissa a thirty-two year old Caucasian female who by her own admission stated she uses marijuana on occasions. She reports that she was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) recently. The officer who arrested her found marijuana and cocaine in her vehicle. Melissa was mandated to complete a drug treatment after her stay in jail. On the …show more content…

Some of these difficulties that Melissa might experience as she starts her recovery is first to understand the likelihood of relapse. Educating the client on how to self-monitor the circumstances, emotional states of mind, and other outside sources that triggers the substance use is key. This area is one in which Melissa might have a difficult time especially in the beginning of treatment because she might be tempted to use. For this reason, self-monitoring must be accompanied by coping mechanisms that will help her resist temptation. Another aspect of the journey to recovery that will be difficult for Melissa and will most likely experience is the initial withdrawal process. Coupled with the fact that in order to protect her recovery progress she will be asked to deter from places and people who could put her recovery in

Get Access