Substance Abuse

Is drug addiction is a disease, not a choice? Or it is a choice and not a disease? Drug Addiction has become a serious issue in society today, with an increase in controversy leading towards the topic of whether drug addiction is a disease or a choice. Addiction and disease are two different things and understanding them is very important when it comes to drugs and how it affects the mind and body. Several people tend to jump the gun and think that drug addiction is a disease, when in fact it is a choice. Some scientists believe that that drug addiction is a disease and to an extent that it makes people powerless to control its prevalence, on the other hand some scientists believe that addiction is a choice and that people have

Social work professions need to understand the importance of how individuals interact both with other people and their environment, to have an understanding how individuals are affected by these interactions (Rogers, p. 2). According to Rogers (2016), “Social workers are knowledgeable about human behavior across the life course; the range of social systems in which people live; and the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Social workers apply theories and knowledge from the liberal arts to understand biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development (p. 2). Their work with clients begins with assessments to evaluations of intervention and is based in and supports of the core value system of the profession.

The need for a substance abuse recovery home in Starke County, Indiana is a need that is unmistakable in the county based on the hefty number of individuals that suffer from substance abuse and dependency in the county which is clearly displayed by the recent number of crimes that are related to or involve illicit and prescription drugs. In attempt to meet this need and create an opportunity for individuals suffering from substance abuse and dependency to receive local substance abuse treatment in a recovery home the proposal will be presented to several stakeholders within the Starke County community. The term stakeholder “refers to those people who are affected, or could be affected, by the service” (Canadian Career Development Foundation, n.d.) that is being proposed. The proposal for the creation of a substance abuse recovery home will be presented to five key stakeholders including Ms. Becky Anspach the director of Community Services of Starke County, Starke County Community Corrections director of operations Mr. Robert Hinojosa, Ms. Dee Lynch the director of the Indiana Department of Child Services of Starke County, Porter Starke Services facilitator of intensive outpatient program treatment (IOP), and Ms. Rhonda Adcock the director of Starke County CASA.

Social work can be a stressful career, you need to be well organised as there is a significant level of administrative work - and time management skills are crucial. A social worker is expected to assess, review and maintain

The role of the social worker in this setting is to perform duties as an informed clinician based on evidence based practice to provide individualized case management to all clients. The social worker will complete a comprehensive intake assessment which includes demographics of the client, address presenting problem, and a risk assessment. Client’s also receive mental health screenings and individual and group counseling to gain new coping skills and address any triggers to prevent relapse utilizing interventions as CBT and Motivational Interviewing. The social worker will discuss limits of confidentiality and a signed informed consent from the client to receive services.

In June 2014, I registered with the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board for certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, and began private supervision. I passed the state examination the following year. Through discussions with my colleagues and professional supervisor, as well as interactions with university professors, I developed a desire to provide advanced counseling through social work practice. I believe social work provides the best means to provide healing for the whole person in their environment.

New Horizons Community Mental Health Center offers is outpatient substance abuse intervention. The Substance Abuse Program (SAP) attempts to assist clients with an insight of what has lead to their addiction as well as skills to remain sober (New Horizons Community Mental Health Center, 2014).

Pasadera, which is “stepping stone” in Spanish, represents exactly what this center does. They give their clients the ability to take their first step toward freedom of substance abuse and mental health. This center offers treatment for both substance abuse and addiction issues along with mental illness. Pasadera also provides detoxification, residential treatment, counseling and other programs designed to achieve a drug and alcohol free

While doing research on this community, it became apparent that the public has access to many different social services that have helped the residents achieve wellness (Abra et al., 2016), including Edgewood Health Network, a rehabilitation centre for addictions and mental health. However, there is no support for people who are currently active drug users or have relapsed (Edgewood Health Network, n.d). Studies have shown that relapsed users have an increased risk of

The Council on Recovery is a Non-Profit Organization which serves the population of people whose lives are affected by addiction, whether it is their addiction or someone else’s. Their mission is “To keep our community healthy, productive and safe by providing services and information to all who may be adversely affected by alcohol, drugs and related issues” (Council on Recovery). To work towards this mission, they offer a wide range of services such as individual and family counseling, case management services, educational and prevention services, community outreach, supportive services as well as screenings for state funded inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facilities. Many of the Council’s employees are based in their main office, but there are also more than 50 clinicians who are based in MHMRA facilities across the city.

Whip let these issues get the best of him and realized when things had to come to an end. Whip tried to control his addictions 7 days before his testimony and he failed himself. When things like this happens that’s when drug addiction camp comes a long and rehab. He was sentenced to jail time and over the year he had become sober. He had to face the truth in order for him to actually help himself.

Social workers work at many levels, including policy work. If we are going to change something, sometimes the policy behind it needs to be looked out. When it comes to addiction we need to take a long look and then speak up. Social workers have the ability to advocate and influence change in many ways. They could go to the capitol and talk to elected officials. They could hold workshops and invite the public to educate them on addiction. They could take part in research that could be used in the future. They could talk to their clients about these issues. The ways they could do it are endless. Vaughn and Perron (2013) suggest three way: be the social change agent by use harm reduction while educating the public about it, offer alternatives

Social workers who work in the area of substance abuse concentrates on specific clients that have an addiction problem and those who are abusing different drug substances. Social workers who are working and dealing with cases of substance abuse can help clients on their journey to rehabilitation by being supportive, offering encouragement, and making the path to restoration a slightly easier. Social workers in this field use their knowledge and abilities to comprehend the needs of the client in relation to their substance abuse problems. The social worker measures the client to understand the severity of the substance abuse in order to know how to deal with the client. Social workers experienced in substance misuse and addiction often work as part of a team with other specialists, particularly licensed alcohol and drug therapists, doctors, and nurses.

During the treatment and assessment of drug or alcohol users, social workers must put their own morals and opinions aside in order to properly assess those who are afflicted by addiction (Boyle et al, 2009). Subsequently it is important for social workers to know themselves as individuals and professionals when facilitating those they are trying to help. The social workers’ approach to the client can help determine the foundation for intervention techniques. However, in order for a social worker to fully understand the client who suffers from substance abuse, it is important to know the neurological effects that the client endures in order to ultimately gain a better understanding of treatment methods.

They speed up the action of the brain. They make people feel more alert, more confident and less tired.