The Effects Of Trauma On Substance Use And Using A Feminist Lens Explored

Support groups for alcohol addiction place an emphasis on being “powerless,” further reinforcing an excuse often made by abusers in family violence situations (Al-Anon, 2008). This idea can also serve to increase the feelings of hopelessness experienced by victims. When taught to victims of domestic violence, placing the blame of abuse on use of the substance as opposed to the abuser serves to contradict the message of the abuser’s responsibility for the behaviors (Chartas & Culbreth,

The NASW (2008) states that primary mission of the social work profession incorporates, empowering people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty. East & Roll (2015) indicates the empowerment theory is efficient in

As a support worker, it is necessary that organisation would need to have a foundational understanding of how to identify trauma associated responses. Similarly, there needs to be understanding when initiating treatment interventions for trauma-related symptoms, it is aimed to be conducive and empowering to the individual (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Also, all support workers should be skilled in identifying the symptoms of trauma, as well as not disregarding the probability of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Hence, when creating an individual treatment plan, all likelihoods of self-medicating and individualised coping mechanisms should be reflected

This paper firstly looks at empowerment, what it is, and how it can assist social workers in enhancing their client’s competence through development of self-efficacy,

The Center for Disease Control reports about 3.4 million children being abused or neglected in the United States in 2012 and 1 in 4 children will experience some form on abuse, maltreatment or household dysfunction while growing up. (Campbell, 2015).Past research has shown a relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and substance abuse as an adult. Risk factors in the form abuse and neglect as child may cause a higher likelihood of substance abuse as an adult. Font and Jack (2015) also says that poor socioeconomic circumstances are associated with poor health conditions. Someone who scores with multiple adverse childhood experiences may report social and economic problems as an adult, such as financial hardship, homelessness and not making it through high school or an undergrad program (Font and Jack, 2015).

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), twenty-four people per minute are affected be intimate partner violence. (2013) It is estimated that twelve million people in the United States alone are affected each year. Intimate partner violence includes anything from physical or sexual abuse to psychological abuse to stalking or threats by a current or former partner. This form of violence can occur among couples that identify with any sexual orientation. The CDC reports that individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual are at an equal or higher risk for intimate partner violence. (2013) Sexual intimacy within the relationship is not a requirement for violence to be considered intimate partner violence. (CDC, 2013)

Social work is rarely working with one individual, as stated in O’Loughlin and O’Loughlin (2008); it will involve working with

Kathleen M. Gilbert is a social worker for Little Flower Children and Family Services in Jamaica, New York. Ms. Gilbert works in the mental health field of social work as a psychotherapist part time where she provides counseling and emotional support on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in the late afternoons and evenings. Alongside social work, Ms. Gilbert is an instructor at Nassau Community College. She has been employed at Nassau Community College and Little Flower Children and Family for ten years. She found out about the agency through a friend that was already in the business of social work. Beginning her college experience, she started out double majoring in both the field of public health and French, after her bachelors she was able to receive her master’s in public health. Desiring a change, she got her masters in social work and was grandfathered in as a LCSWR. At one point, she was also grandfathered in to be a CASAC, which is a credential for substance abuse and alcohol counseling, and aided clients through all aspects of addiction and dependency. Her time as a CASAC was done through a community organization and she was the chairperson of the Brooklyn committee of alcoholism. Aside from providing psychotherapy services, she also gives referrals for adjunct services and makes home visits. Although she is no longer in the public health field directly, she has used her knowledge of counseling and education in public health to aid her in social work.

Instead of working on problems, the work is goal oriented. The strengths based perspective builds on the strengths of an individual to enhance resources and work through the difficulties in the lives of the client. This helps to raise the level of functioning in these individuals and increase their sense of empowerment. Hewitt (2005) stated that this is an “optimistic way of looking at situations,” and that the social worker must not focus on what the client cannot do and instead on what they can do (p. 23). This is important in the case of Trenise and her family, because there is so much going on in terms of problematic situations that it is easy to lose sight of why it is necessary to try and solve issues. If things always look bad then many people might not attempt to handle the stresses in their

This essay explores the story of Malaika Cohen and her account of experiencing and overcoming domestic abuse. In her book “Shackles” Malaika describes various forms of domestic abuse from life as a young child with a controlling Mother and a physically abusive Father which continued into her adult romantic relationships. It will highlight the changes to legislation since Malaika was a victim and how the meaning of domestic abuse has changed over the years. It will also take a look at behaviour patterns of children who grow up in a household with an alcoholic and how this can impact future relationships. Domestic abuse is often diagnosed under the banner of “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, this essay will look how this can have a negative

The concepts of empowerment and client strengths are widely incorporated in these intervention approaches. Clients are allowed to set goals aimed at transforming their negative situations to positive situations. Individuals are empowered by applying strengths, and making transformative decisions, which subsequently can change lives. Through empowerment and utilization of client strengths, these intervention approaches help people with co-occurring substance use disorders, like Catherine, to take control of their lives.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been sitting in on the individual sessions a teenage female client. She has struggled with anything from the use of substance abuse, divorced parents to now finding out she is in an abusive relationship. The most difficult thing that I was exposed to was listening to her talk about toxic relationship. I can relate to this client because I was a part of an abusive relationship for over four years.

The fact is that you, or someone you love, may fall victim to domestic violence at some point in your lifetime. As a victim of violence, you may face many struggles. Trying to cope, many women turn to alcohol or other substances in an effort to get some relief from the physical, psychological, emotional or other pain caused by the abuser. Substance abuse, however, doesn’t prove effective in helping the victim heal from the trauma. In fact, it can present a host of new problems that make it even more difficult to resolve any of them.

This goes back to the theory that most women turn to substances for self-medicating purposes due to unresolved traumas or events in their lives. Women’s addiction is also different because women not only self-medicate because of traumatic events, but also to function as a working mother/woman in a fast paced world. According to, “The DASIS Report (May 2005)” women were less likely than men to detoxify. One reason is because they are in denial and try to rationalize their substance abuse. So they are less likely to seek help unless it is court ordered because children were involved. SAMSHA, stated that as of 2008, 1/3 of the population being treated for substance abuse were women. According to SAMSHA’s November/December 2008 Newsletter, 6.9 million women are not receiving treatment. Approximately, 94% feel they do not need treatment. This has been a drastic increase over the past 10years. SAMSHA also revealed that women have more barriers when seeking treatment such as, young children, poverty, low-income, stigmatization and have the inability to pay for treatment. This goes back to pay in-equality and the Equal Rights Amendment.

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.