The Louis De La Parte Florida Mental Health Institute

As clinicians, there is a duty to provide as clear of a diagnostic assessment as possible, particularly in relation to substance use, in order to provide the best care. In Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, the authors state “as with other diseases and disorders, the earlier a therapist diagnoses a substance abuse problem, the better the prognosis for the client.” (Stevens & Smith, 2013) This makes assessment crucial to the diagnostic process. In “Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) for illicit drug and alcohol use at multiple heathcare sites,” written by Madras, Compton, Avula, Stegbauer, Stein, & Clark (2009), the reported 2006 NSDUH survey statistics estimated that “22.6 million people harbor a diagnosable alcohol or illicit drug use disorder.” (Madras et.al, 2009) Over the years, researchers have developed

Co-occurring disorders come with multiple symptoms that influence the individual’s ability to stop using substances. Individuals may turn to illegal substances to receive relief from their mental health symptoms and will depend on these to bring normalcy to their life. For example, a depressed person may smoke marijuana to numb pain or a person experiencing social anxiety may drink to feel comfortable in social

This clinician wants to open his own dual diagnosis center with substance abuse disorders and mental health disorders. Many individuals with substance abuse issues also suffer from mental health issues. This counselor suffers from the disease of substance abuse and has made it his lifelong goal to help individuals with these types of issues.

A broad range of medical and psychological therapies is currently available for people who struggle with substance addictions. The scientific community is working on evaluation of various treatments to determine which strategies offer the best chances of successful outcome. People who need treatment for alcoholism and drug use are very diverse group. Addiction is a disorder that requires an individual case approach; therefore, different ways to

Co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders are quite prevalent in today’s society. Treatment and prevention of co-occurring disorders are both critical topics. Example of co-occurring disorders are the combinations of major depression with cocaine addiction, alcohol addiction with panic disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Although the focus of this is on dual disorders, some patients have more than two disorders. The principles that apply to dual disorders generally apply also to multiple disorders.

The reading entitled “The Treatment Plan” focuses on developing treatment plans, particularly for those in substance abuse rehabilitation programs. First, the interdisciplinary team, which consists of a variety of professionals such as doctors, nurses, and therapists, writes a summary of the client at intake to determine the problems, how they came about, and the potential solutions. Next, a problem list is created. The problem statement is one sentence explaining the problem, which is abstract and not tangible. Therefore, signs and symptoms are also listed underneath, such as history of DUI and the blood alcohol level. These are used as evidence to back-up the problem statement. After, for each problem statement, several goals are listed that

A statistical piece of information that was interesting is that how the number of mental disorders increases as the number of substance abuse disorders increases as well. Services, U.D. (2005) states the likelihood of mental disorders rises alongside with substance abuse dependencies. With the rise of both abuses at the same time, it complicates treatment for the mental disorder patients that have drug use however, multiple drugs is normal for those who are substance abusers (Services, U.D., 2005). The reason this information is found to be interesting is because with the two disorders rising at the same level, it appears that the challenges will be harder and more co-occurring disorder patients are going to need help with their issues. As a counselor, one must be dually competent to treat these clients or have staff available to treat the clients who have co-occurring disorders to ensure an effective outcome.

Integrating substance use disorder (SUD) and healthcare services is a major target in the era of healthcare reform.1 Care integration has gained momentum with the recognition that people with SUDs often have multiple physical health problems and are at greater risk for chronic diseases (e.g., congestive heart failure).1 One practice that has been cited as important in efforts to integrate care is Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), an evidence-based model that can be used to identify and address risky substance use in healthcare and other clinical settings.2

Sometimes people may have a mental disorder but because they do not want to seek help they use drugs to help them cope. As pointed out by Hays (2013) “counselors will often see clients because of the problems produced by drinking, such as deterioration in work performance, conflicts with others, depression, or poor health” (p.143). As counselors we need to know that sometimes a person may come in substance abuse but the reason for the substance abuse but maybe a mental disorder. Counselors should be trained to give assessments that will measure both mental illness and substance abuse.

If I was a Mental Health clinician working with Paul to overcome his anxiety issues, I would also make sure to utilize a multidisciplinary team including an addictions counselor since Paul has been exhibiting signs of a drinking addiction. I would collaborate with the addictions counselor to come up with an effective treatment plan for Paul. To ensure working in a collaborative environment, I would encourage Paul to have a session with me immediately after he has his session with the addictions counselor and vice versa. This will allow both me and the addictions counselor to meet after the sessions to review everything and to share ideas with one another to see what is working and not working with Paul and to implement the next steps in the treatment process. Both the addictions counselor and I should be able to evaluate treatment outcomes and set treatment goals to ensure a full and effective prognosis for Paul. In terms of Paul’s addiction issue, I would suggest

Social anxiety often precedes alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorders can have further negative effects on anxiety disorders, as evidenced by research showing that anxiety symptoms are increased with the abuse of alcohol. Furthermore, the effectiveness of standard treatment options for each disorder is diminished when comorbidity occurs (Book, Thomas, P. Randall, & C. Randall, 2009; Black et al., 2012; Boschloo et al., 2011; Miller et al., 2013; Stapinski et al, 2014).

As an example, individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder may start using a substance (eg. alcohol or drugs) in an effort to decrease their distress. These substances produce positive, rewarding short-term effects to the individual (Stewart & Conrod, 2008). However, this has negative long-term effects and can result in alcohol dependence. Hall and colleagues (2009) found that people with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and substance use disorder had higher rates of alcohol and drug use in order to relieve symptoms of their anxiety, compared to those with only generalized anxiety disorder. In further support of this pathway, research has shown that 75% of the time an anxiety disorder is present in an individual before a substance use disorder develops (Smith & Book, 2008). However, Kushner, Krueger, Frye, and Peterson (2008) note that this does not demonstrate the anxiety disorder caused the comorbid substance use disorder in these 75% of cases, nor that the substance use disorder caused the anxiety disorder in the remaining 25%; it is merely a

A combination of descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to assess the results, for those patients who were enrolled in clinic for at least 90 days. Factors to be considered include: 1. medication used; 2. number of years of alcohol use disorder prior to entering this clinic; 3. use of other substances; 4. presence of depression, PTSD or other mental illness. In the initial seven months of this clinic accepting patients 68 referrals were received, and of those 51 patients

D: Met with client for an individual session and treatment plan review. Client presented a good attitude and outlook, response to treatment appears positive. Reported no use of alcohol or other substances. Reported taking medications for anxiety, stress, and chronic physical pains as prescribed. Reported taking Antabuse for alcohol use disorder as court ordered. Client indicated main area of concern is attending self-help meeting. Client demonstrated variable compliance with treatment expectations, such as treatment group attendance, UA result was negative for alcohol and other substances. Client showed improvement on relapse prevention and problem solving skills, and is working on establishing and maintaining meaningful, intimate interpersonal relationship.

One contemporary psychoanalytical view of substance abuse is that it is a defense against anxiety (Thombs D 2006). Addicts often abuse alcohol and other substances to guard against anxiety and other painful feelings like shame, guilt, loneliness and depression. Psychological problems including substance abuse disorders are viewed as a result of inhibited ability to make authentic, meaningful, and self directed choices about how to live.