Mental Illness And Substance Abuse

A difficult challenge to the juvenile justice system and child welfare system is working with adolescents with comorbid difficulties, causing these adolescents to becoming at risk for incarceration and involvement with the juvenile and adult justice system. The juvenile justice system appears to be having a challenging time in determining how to respond and treat adolescents with mental health and substance use. "Many

The Specialization chosen is addiction counseling. This paper will cover the key aspects of addiction counseling which include biological, psychological and physical aspects. As well as medical and social aspects of addiction and counseling. Addiction counseling must adhere to strict ethical codes, and the counselors need to have an understanding of addiction, and have knowledge in the various types of treatment programs. Other key aspects that are important in this specialization are the application to practice, and most important professional readiness. Addiction counseling differs from other specializations because it requires long-term care and treatment, and requires more than one form of treatment within individuals. Treating

Certain models and theories regarding addiction have a tremendously valuable impact con society’s reaction toward addiction. There are certain aspects of each theory which are very important in the treatment of addiction. Not all addicts and alcoholics fit into the specific criteria of one theory or model so it is beneficial for Chemical Dependency Counselors to have an in depth understanding of various theories to draw from. Most theories about addiction fail to provide a comprehensive account of chemical abuse, dependence or addiction. There is truth and speculation to every theory. It is important for Chemical Dependency Counselors to continue to research and critique theories because it initiates the creation of new theories. For the

According to the Diagnostic Statistic Manual 5 (DSM-5) substance use disorder is when the individual has a dependency on alcohol or drug, followed by penetrating craving and antisocial behavior to acquire the substance. The terms substance abuse and substance dependence refer to substance use disorder, which has been separated into three classifications as follows

Contact between an addictions counsellor and a client is usually initiated by the client referring him/her self, an outside agency refers them, family physician or the addictions counsellor initiates contact through outreach or other agencies. Assessment can be seen as the beginning of treatment and it becomes an opportunity to encourage the client to begin to move towards change. The initial assessment involves a mutual investigation and exploration between the client

When a counselor has a new client they are working with, the client has to be assessed. When being assessed the counselor has to determine what issues the client may have. Through being assessed, the counselor may come to realize the client has more than one issue which is called co-occurring disorders. At this point the client will have to be treated for more than one disorder to effectively overcome the problems they are facing. Within this paper one will locate the prevalence of co-occurring disorders, mental health and substance abuse

Many people who suffered from long-term addiction also have suffer from a form of psychological distress that helps create a never-ending feedback loop of addiction. Executive drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers utilize a “dual diagnosis” process, which identifies and treats the physical causes of addiction as well as the mental. Conditions as diverse as depression, bipolar personality disorder, and even obsessive compulsive mindsets can be diagnosed and

The information I gathered from the research was that the major factors that contribute to homelessness are mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse. I also learned that many individuals need to develop skills and seek treatment to learn how to break the patterns which lead to cyclical or generational homelessness (Morris, 1997).

When assessing individuals for co-occurring disorders there are two cross-cutting issues that must be addressed as an addiction counselor. The first most important cross-cutting issue to identify is suicidality. It is considered more a behavior that is high risk, than a mental health disorder. Suicidality has shown through research that those who commit suicide have substance abuse or co-occurring disorders which can be diagnosed early. Most common among clients is serious depression (U.S. Public Health Service 1999), brought on by substance abuse or aggravated by suicidal ideations or intentions of suicide, (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005, Chapter8 p. 214). This is why it’s important that counselors screen clients, especially those with co-occurring disorders which can double the possibility of suicide. Counselors must have a good understanding of their agency’s protocol for those identified as suicidal. The agency should have a process for identifying, confirming, and some type of established referral, or treatment process for clients who may be suicidal. Counselors need to be knowledgeable of the following facts. A major factor risk in suicide, is alcohol abuse or drug abuse which would include people with co-occurring disorders and the general public. Suicide is identifiable with 25 to 50 percent of the population in alcohol abuse, and that 5 to 27 percent include suicidal deaths which are also related to alcohol abuse. There is also a lifetime suicide risk

Mental illness and substance abuse can have a huge impact on the individuals affected, as well as their families and communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that nearly 25% of homeless individuals in America have some type of mental disorder. In 2014, the SAMSHA indicates that there was an estimated 21.5 million people age 12 and older with a substance use disorder, 17 million with a substance abuse disorder, and another 7.1 million used illicit drugs. Mississippi has seen an increase in homelessness over the last five years. According to the 2010 census, Mississippi’s poverty rate was higher than any other state at 20.6%. Hattiesburg poverty rate was over 30%, which is 10% greater than

Another reason as to why drug abuse can cause mental illnesses is because of brain vulnerability at a young age. While drug addiction and drug abuse can happen at any time of life, it is most common to start in adolescence. According to the NIH (January 2014); "By the time they are seniors, almost 70 percent of high school students will have tried alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, nearly 40 percent will have smoked a cigarette, and more than 20 percent will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose" This article then goes on to explain that teenagers are more likely to try illegal drugs because they are "...biologically wired" to seek new experiences and try new things, especially by taking risks. During the time of

The effects of drug use can vary from person to person, but usually they fall along the lines of affecting the people around you, your body, your health, and drug use usually correlates with mental health problems. Due to the fact that drugs are chemicals, they can alter the brain and body permanently, even after the use has discontinued. In some cases, drug abuse can end in fatality.

The foundation of the treatment plan consists of collecting information from the assessment testing, and interview process. It provides results to the clinician for a structural direction when initiating an appropriate treatment plan that later can be changed. Although, both activities being the assessment and diagnosis is completed by one clinician. Their responsibility is to create a written and effective addiction treatment plan. In addition this report classify the client stage of abuse. In order to developing an efficient overall befitting treatment plan to fit the needs of the client. The treatment plan may also reflect the client restructured changes or progress towards various approaches to manage care in the treatment setting.

In my selection for an agency that I would consider to work in, it was narrowed down to working for the State of New Hampshire in particular the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services. This is an agency within an agency. The main reason I chose this area is due to two factors: the first one is that drug and alcohol is such a sever addiction that it is almost impossible for the individual to get out of it on their own. The second factor is first-hand experience. I myself have been down the same road as so many others with drug abuse and addiction. I certainly believe that this experience will benefit other individuals due to that fact that I can relate to them wholeheartedly.

The problematic situation that brings a client to seek counseling is not often seen clearly by the client or others that may be associated. This is the reason that a therapist must use various assessment tools to determine potential disorders that may be the root to a problem. Though at times a client may seek counseling with a known substance abuse issue there are more cases where a client is oblivious to the potential contribution that substance abuse has on the problem that help is sought for. Understood that substance dependency is nondiscriminatory to age, gender, race or creed, a therapist approaches the matter with the client knowing that a problem is recognized and there is a hope for a solution being sought by the client. At the same time it is also known that an addictive personality will be protective of this disorder, producing a defensive posture and plausible deniability. A therapist must assess the potential of such a disorder existing and the readiness of the client to change within the initial interview. Chamberlain (2013) notes that it is initially important to ask a client directly about his or her use of drugs (p. 125). The interview process will assess the proper screening that must take place in order to derive a proper diagnosis for treatment. Five such tools used by therapists to screen and assess a client differ in various ways depending on the client’s age and willingness.