The Role Of Client 's Mentor / Social Worker

THESIS STATEMENT: To investigate Methadone maintenance is found to be more effective in treating heroin addiction than 180 day detoxification. The objective is how methadone maintenance, a widely used but controversial method of weaning heroin addicts off the drug—with counseling has psychosocially enriched 180 day methadone assisted detoxification.

Post World War II New York City was faced with a major heroin epidemic with over 151,000 names listed in the Narcotics Register (Herman). As a medical response, methadone was developed to treat heroin addiction (Herman). Today methadone maintenance treatment has grown to become a popular therapy for drug addiction as well as pain management. Methadone has helped many people to create new lives for themselves, yet there is still debate over the success of this program. Methadone assisted treatment should be seen as an effective program in combating opioid addiction due to its health and social benefits for both users and the community.

Commitment to abstinence, a motivational construct, is a strong predictor of reductions in drug and alcohol use. Level of commitment to abstinence at treatment end predicts sustained abstinence, a requirement for recovery ( Laudet, A. B., & Stanick). Abstinence is the best way to avoid drug addiction. According to Hart & Ksir, a person who understands all this information about all these drugs will perhaps be better prepared to make decisions about personal drug use, more able to understand drug use by others, and better prepared to participate in social decisions about drug use and abuse (Hart & Ksir ).

69,000 patients in substance abuse treatment revealed that methadone was fourth for risk of abuse out of 11 opiate based prescription drugs. Worse, after adjustment for prescriptions, methadone advanced to the number one position for abused compounds. Even more startling was a simple random population sample, surveyed by telephone, which reported methadone as the second most used drug. However, Butler et al. cite a major limitation in that the data examined came from subjects who had entered treatment for substance use disorders. Like Plater et al. (2012) aside from the telephone survey, they were unable to examine data for abusers not in treatment (2011).

During the last seven months whilst working at a men’s shelter (Cornerstone Community Association, in the heart of Oshawa, which some may say is the drug capital of the Durham Region) many of the shelter guests (men who stay in the shelter) have disclosed being on the methadone maintenance program, stating as a result of being addicted to opioid drugs. I have chosen to write about this psychoactive drug because I want to explore, become more knowledgeable and more confident when talking about this complex drug.

¨ More than a quarter of a million Americans are enrolled in methadone clinics, where they participate in “methadone replacement” or “methadone maintenance” to treat narcotic addictions to heroin or morphine, or prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, OxyContin or Vicodin.¨ (Novus Detox, 2016) Clinics that treat opioid addiction use several combinations other than methadone to be effective. In addition to daily methadone treatments, there are also random drug test to make sure the individual is complying with the program. There is also individual and group counseling that provides education and support with each being customized with goals set forth by the patient. Some addiction require patients struggling to seek professional help with a psychiatrist and/or speciality

Met with client for ISP review and to discuss treatment progress. Client appeared to be stable and engaged in the conversation. Client reported that she completed the FAFSA and is planning to go to Everette Community College in the summer. Client reported no use of substances. Client reported coping with temptation by walking away from the situations. Client was reminded that her relapse potential was moderate to high at this time and that she thus would be cautioned to avoid any unintended consequences; with help and support from treatment and her family, client would make his treatment a success. Reviewed ISP in Dim.5 dated 11/29/17, reported completion on approach C, but was unable to identify which peer pressure could be positive (approach

When it comes substance abuse treatment many old school clinicians believe in the model of abstinence, however, many of the newer clinicians believe and full support the idea of harm reduction. Even though both sides have their supporters, and a full body of literature to support their argument that one is better than the other, however, harm reduction has been shown to be the most effective, and the one that clients prefer over abstinence, especially, when the client is starting treatment. Harm reduction is when the client reduces drug and/or alcohol intake for a short period of time, while abstinence is when the client stops taking drugs and/or alcohol immediately and tries to stay away from it.

The third and final stage of recovery is known as late recovery, and involves a client finding growth and meaning in life. In this stage, relapse may be less frequent as a sense of purpose is found. As this stage is found only by enduring great challenges, a client may not be as tempted by relapse and the act of back tracking in their recovery may seem tiresome and unworthy of their time. However, though a deep awareness of the consequences of substance abuse is profound, relapse is still possible if an addict forgets that he or she has a disease that is incurable and succumbs to the enticement of “just this one time can’t hurt” or has the thought that “I have been clean for so long. I am cured.” Bill W. stated in his book Alcoholics Anonymous that “This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it-this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish” (pg. 34). Complete abstinence is the only choice for those with the disease of addiction, and so many recovering addicts forget this simple realization in the late recovery stage.

During this session, the group members were educated on the how to maintain "Total Abstinence" in their recovery. The clients learned about the connection between alcohol and other substances that can impair their judgement and how to cope without stimulants. They also learned how to increasing their chances of successful recovery with coping

The second intervention chosen to decrease his dependency on pain killer is for him to join a support group. According to Galanter and Brook, “It has become clear that the more support an addict or abuser can muster, the greater the likelihood of achieving and maintaining abstinence, as well as the possibility of achieving deeper characterological changes. This understanding has been incorporated into the work of family therapists,” (Galanter, M., & Brook, D., 2001). Mr. Vincent will attend an outpatient rehab facility to decrease pain killer dependency twice a week for 2 months. NA is the peer support group recommended for Mr. Vincent’s reduction of drug dependency. “Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is the most well-known and widely available self-help

Summary: This article refers to individuals who are homeless, have a history of alcohol abuse that have a desire to quit, or get better without abstinence as a requirement. According to the article, abstinence has not been an effective treatment for these individuals. Harm reduction counseling along with an injection of XR NTX every four weeks to reduce cravings may help with compassionate style, patient driven to goal setting,

In the area of adolescent inpatient substance abuse treatment, there are both pros and cons. Yet, the positives tend to outnumber the negatives in treating a teen with an addiction. An inpatient setting gives the adolescent a safe environment to first detox or become sober and then stay sober for 30 days up to 15 months depending upon the program. This venue allows the adolescent to heal physically while they learn skills to deal with their addiction in home and community. A structured inpatient program also gives the person a group of peers with similar goals. Depending upon the program, inpatient programs offer a multidisciplinary approach including medical support (Principles, 2014).

Counselor met with Pt. for her monthly individual counseling session. Counselor and Pt. discussed her progress in recovery, her medication compliance and side effects, any personal concern and/or problems. Counselor asked Pt. whether she has used drugs since the last session which she replied no heroin. Pt. informed this writer that alcohol isn’t an issue for her but she still smoke weed. Pt. stated, “I used to drink alcohol because I was bored all the time and I was unemployed.” Pt. described her true character without alcohol as smart, wanting to be busy, spending time with her son and being healthy. Counselor taught Pt. that sometimes an addicted person may transfer the addiction to the other drug and begin using it compulsively. Also, Counselor

My initial awareness in working with this client was focused on establishing Rogers core conditions, this felt natural, and I did not struggle to create the space or establish my therapeutic presence for the client, and I noted how I felt I was being held by the conditions as much as I was offering them, namely congruence, empathy, unconditional positive regard, underpinned by an ethical intention. This felt self-supporting, acting as a bedrock, assisting my holding of the client’s emotions in listening to his story. The clients journey was affecting me on some level and I felt something for the sense of shock he was experiencing to have this type of condition at such a young age. I felt