Nursing Case Study : Brenda Combss Drug Addiction

The individual that I chose to interview, we will refer to her as Ms. M, is a long-standing member of the counseling community and a personal and professional mentor of mine. Currently she works for the state in the social services field, though she still uses her dependency counselor skills, it is not to the same extent that she once did. However, because of her qualifications she is still able to conduct assessments, offer counseling, and help clients recognize and navigate potential addiction pitfalls. For this interview we spoke about her initial entry into the field and her time as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the women’s prison system.

Over the years, substance abuse in the United States has become a persistent issue affecting many individuals. In 2008, it was estimated that 17.8 million Americans over the age of 18 where substance dependent (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010). Many of these individuals being affected are nurses. Ponech (2000) stated that "approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice" (as cited in Talbert, 2009, p.17). Studies show that nurses have a 50% higher rate of substance abuse compared to the rest of the public (Epstein et al., 2010). Among the many factors that contribute to the nurse’s issue of substance abuse,

This story, while centered on Maries struggles with addiction and family support the story we also hear from two social workers in DCF; Ilia

Timeline Past influences which impact Cindy’s development include the marriage and divorce of her parents, the move when she was a teenager, exposure to marijuana, the physical and emotional abuse as a young wife and mother, as well as the early marriage and rapid divorce with her daughters’ father. Current considerations including Cindy’s self-referral effort and willingness to receive support and services to address her problematic symptoms are positive. Concerned about her current state and the impacts on her family, Cindy presents a sign of preparedness towards change. This strength, along with her support system are in Cindy’s favor.

As Heise states, substance abuse among nurses a growing problem that is often overlooked by society. Addiction has been a problem in the nursing profession for over one hundred years (as cited in Monroe & Kenaga, 2010). According to the American nurses association, it is speculated that 6%-8% of nurses have a drug or alcohol related problem (as cited in Trinkoff & Storr, 1998). Substance abuse not only affects the individual abuser, but also can negatively impact those around them, most significantly their patients. Chemical dependence if often viewed as a lack of will power, but through education and research, this issue should be looked at as an actual disease. The education of nursing students is the first step in helping those with a

I interviewed Takisa Smith, Director of the Center for Human Development’s (CHD) Watershed Recovery Center for women in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Her facility accommodates twenty-five women at the beginning stages of recovery and can also accommodate those who have been civilly committed, are pregnant, or post-partum and their infants (http://chd.org/adult-services/addiction-recovery-services/watershed-recovery-center-women/). I was lucky enough to know Takisa through my significant other (Leshawnda Underwood’s mother). Because of our preexisting relationship the interview was very laid back. Though I have known her for some time, it wasn’t until recently that I discovered she was a director of a substance abuse program. Once I knew

Abby actively participated in group lectures and discussions. Abby completed all assignments required for Women’s Group which included Steps 1,2, and 3, letters to her parents, two children, and significant other, and a recovery plan. Abby did not have to complete two assignments since she had previously completed them before treatment. Abby has gained education regarding addiction, acknowledged the consequences of her using both on her and her children, and built a sober support network.

In first talking about substance use, abuse and addiction as it relates to the Nursing profession it is necessary to understand the aspect of addiction. Drug use is a broad idea that refers to the use of any chemical substance rather legal or illegal. This topic includes prescription drugs, street drugs, herbal supplements, and the like. The term Drug abuse is defined as “the use of a substance or substances in such a way that it leads to measurable personal, interpersonal, or social consequences” (Faupel, C., E., Horowitz, A., M., & Weaver, G., S., 2010, p.20). Drug addiction is then regarded as “a compulsive use of chemicals (drugs or alcohol) and the inability to stop using them despite all the problems caused by their use” (National

Sometimes you walk through a door, unsure what is waiting on the other side. You have to believe all will work out somehow. As I left correctional health after 28 years, I was lost. Still too young to retire, I didn’t know in which direction to go. A week before my last day, I saw Christine, a social worker who had a case load of Hepatitis C inmates at the jail. I was always fascinated with her no nonsense style, which at times bordered on the crude. She worked for Body Positive, an HIV/AIDS non-profit agency. I liked her spunk and the freedom she had to be herself.

To become a substance abuse nurse, one must first become a licensed registered nurse. To accomplish this, a student can attend a two or four year program in nursing, where they will learn anatomy, chemistry, physiology and patient care. They must then successfully pass the national licensing exam, NCLEX – RN. After this, a nurse must log around three years of practical work experience as a registered nurse with 4,000 hours, or two years, in substance abuse nursing before they can be eligible to sit for the certification exam. This exam is sponsored by the International Nurses Society on Addictions and is only available twice a year, so candidates should prepare accordingly. Passing the exam allows a nurse to be called a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) and offers them to be more competitive in the workforce and even command a higher salary.

Adam’s biggest struggle, without a doubt, in his whole lifetime was his addiction. It all started when he reconnected with a girl named Cindy that he had known in high school at a party. Adam was attending college but then he decided he needed a break. After Adam made the decision to quit school “he began to party away his paychecks from All Service Electric and was soon learning the ropes of the drug world in and around Hot Springs with Cindy as his partner and guide” (Blehm 44). Blehm states that “at first Adam stuck to marijuana and alcohol, but then Cindy introduced him to crystal meth, followed by her drug of choice, crack cocaine.”

Throughout the book Janet talks about how her life was difficult. From a young age she was sexually molested, abused, homeless and abandoned by parents, who fell to drug addiction. She was desperately trapped in a life and body that she didn’t want for herself. This resulted in her devaluing herself and not considering herself worthy. Her courage and endurance to change her life and become the person she wanted to be is inspiring. She wanted as a prostitute, risking her life each night, to save money for her genital reconstructive surgery. Not only that, but she was also in college had another job and involved in other activities. She explains how she overcame much of this tribulation through compartmentalization. She endured not by her will

When my sister hit her teenage years, she hit a slippery slope of partying and drugs. Our family went through some hardships with Jelly’s drug and alcohol addiction. Jail time, drug rehab, in and out patient; however, my mother and I stood by Jelly’s side through it all. We were working on mending our family wounds when it happened. An old love and drug buddy of my mothers, Jeff, had kept in contact with her over the years. Still a frequent drug user, Jeff somehow convinced my mother to let him move in with us. Jeff was not just a drug addict; he was a thief, a liar, and a woman beater, as we would soon find out.

Many social stigmas are associated with drug use within our society. At one point in my life I shared the negative connotations associated to drug abuse with the vast majority of the population of this country and the society in which I live. As I matured and began forming my own opinions based on several personal experiences, I began to disagree with the believed norm that drugs are bad for our society. They are a means of escape for some just the same as alcohol and tobacco is for millions of others in this country. Those legal substances are just as bad for your body and habit forming as other illegal substances. Why do so many people frown on those of us who need our help? Drug addiction is a disease yet it’s

This essay is based on a client Ibrahim (30 year old, male) who is currently living with his three siblings with their biological father and step mother. The client has a history of juvenile delinquency with outrageous behavior. Due the suspensions from the school, he has a low academic performance. Currently, he is jobless due to abusing drugs and low academic performance, which made him feel depressed. The purpose of the essay is to evaluate the clients’ problems with the help of consistency theory and understand the possible neurological underpinnings that may have occurred in his brain. Also recommend possible interventions that are most fitting for client.