...2002: My Introduction to Computer Addiction •Two15y/omalesreferredbysheriff’sdepartment •One attempted to strangle mother with power cord when she unplugged the computer to get him off •One stabbed brother with kitchen knife when he would not get up from computer to let him play •No history of mental illness or behavior problems •Teens denied addiction and were resistant to counseling •Both placed on involuntary psychiatric holds. •Cycles of abstinence, behavior contracting did not help cure the addiction or motivation positive change •Attempts to help parents reestablish parental authority failed •Limited success with these clients led me to search for effective treatment methods. Mostly non-specific methods were identified •Conducted research and nationwide survey of mental health professionals in 2003/2004(c)2007 Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. 4 Computer Addiction Research / Press •Very little research, some sensationalized press •Controversial since 1989 - does it really exist? •Symptom of other disorders or distinct disorder? •Blame? - Game Developers vs. Parents •Addictive Personality (blames genetics) •Behavior addictions? Most problematic uses, computer is simply the vehicle (sexual, email/chat, gambling) •Diagnosis - protocols borrowed from gambling or SA •Treatment - No standard of care(c)2007 Kenneth M. Woog, Psy. D. 5 My 2003 / 2004 Survey of Mental Health Professionals •Survey Results: 5000 MD, Psych, MFT (n=229) •Clinicians mixed 50/50: >clients...
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...A Case Study Unit Three: Counseling Specializations and Multidisciplinary Teams COUN5004 Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors Identify your preferred counseling specialization “When the truth is fully recognized, survivors can begin their recovery. But far too often, secrecy prevails and the story of the traumatic event surfaces not as a verbal narrative but as a symptom (Herman, 1997).” The history of trauma theory was first introduced by Sigmund Freud. Through his psychoanalytic theory and practice, Freud discovered what he described as a state of disillusion in women suffering from hysteria. After WII, psychiatrists noted the severity of psychological illness of soldiers who had been in combat; and would then theorize that some individuals were predisposed to trauma while others were resilient and could cope with the stress war related events. Throughout the 21st century more and more psychologists have found evidence to support that exposure to a traumatic event or several traumatic events causes profound changes in an individual’s psychological state and has today become an area of concentration and specialization. According to Herman, traumatic events produce profound and lasting changes in physiological arousal, emotion, cognition and memory. Moreover, traumatic events may sever these normally integrated functions from one another. A victim of trauma may cope with overloaded internal balancing mechanisms by displaying one or...
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...Causes and treatment of addiction Addiction Overview The current model to explain addiction suggests that addiction begins with the basic pleasure and reward circuits in the brain, which involve the chemical dopamine. These reward centers are designed to activate during pleasurable acts such as eating. Whenever ingesting a substance causes these reward circuits to activate, addiction and dependence is possible. However, addictive behaviors that are considered damaging or destructive have characteristics that distinguish them from normal behavior (see common characteristics of destructive addictions. Examples of common destructive addictions are alcohol intoxication, alcoholism, cocaine abuse, drug dependence and abuse, methamphetamine abuse, narcotic abuse, and substance abuse. People with addictions often cannot quit on their own. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment. Treatment may include counseling, behavioral therapies, self-help groups or medical treatment. People often assume that those with addictions should be able to quit by simply making up their minds to do so. Addiction is thought to be possible for a wide range of chemical substances. Dependence, most often related to physical symptoms, can occur for a subset of the chemicals that cause addiction. For instance, rarely an individual is prescribed a medication by a doctor for a legitimate reason (such as pain after an injury) and this can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms if this medication is stopped...
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...Introduction: The Definition of counseling according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: “professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Personal guidance of a helper is one of the most essential characteristics of an effective counselor. Along with, patience, being a good listener, compassionate, being non-judgmental (unconditional positive regard), empathetic, discrete, self-aware and being authentic. Effective counseling occurs only when there is a mutual understanding between the helper and the client, which by information sharing and exchange...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Introduction Many people do not realize how biology can play a role in psychological activities and disorders. Biology is a key aspect of psychology. Understanding the role of biology in behavior and cognitive abilities will create a better understanding of the disorder a person may have. Part A: Schizophrenia “Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. About one percent of Americans have this illness” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). This illness affects a large portion of the brain and is known to be associated with wide spread brain damage. The first studies of the brains affected by schizophrenia reported a reduced brain size. Other studies have shown widespread neuron loss and abnormalities of neuron structure and circuitry in several parts of the brain (Pinel, 2011). Schizophrenic is such a complex disorder and it has many different symptoms. Symptoms related to this disorder include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts and incoherent speech, and odd behavior; these symptoms are known as positive symptoms. Negative symptoms of this disorder include a reduction or lack of emotional expression, lack of speech, lack of motivation, and the inability to experience pleasure (Pinel, 2011). Because this illness has so many symptoms that are also associated with other disorders, it has been difficult to accurately define the illness and identify the exact...
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...Substance Abuse Counselor Profession Freda Davis Winston Salem State University Substance Abuse as defined by DuPont (1997) is as follows” drug addiction or alcoholism and other times referred to more generally as chemical dependency” (The Selfish Brain Learning from Addiction, p. xix). Substance abuse has been identified as a meaningful social problem. The extent of substance abuse and its consequences demand ways to seek effective ways of intervention, prevention, and treatment for individuals, along with monitoring the cost to society as associated with alcohol, drugs, and perhaps other drugs. Although the use of drugs is down from the mid-1980s, it is a problem for society today (Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2006), (Journal of Social Work Education, Vol. 45, No. 3 (Fall 2009). Abuse is not limited to mood, or mind altering substances, we live in a society where obsession, and compulsion are at the root of excessive indulging behaviors. We will briefly discuss addiction, and the description for which is given to assist in understanding what the counselor may encounter with-in their realm of practice. Increasingly addiction, a pleasure-producing or compulsive behavior that may occur from jogging, television watching, gambling, eating disorders, drugs, and alcohol abuse (DuPont, 1997). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (2000),” substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use related to...
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...Exam 3 * 5 Policy Alternatives (short answer + know the definition) * 1) Prohibition * 2) Decriminalization * 3) Legalization * 4) Medicalization * 5) Harm Reduction * For Legalization: (short answer) * Policies creating more harm than drugs * Legalize so they don’t have to commit criminal acts * So many people are using it, should be legalized * Failed to reduce use and addiction * Prohibition has negative health consequences * Reduced drug price reduced violence * Crime would decrease less crowded courts and jails * Focus too much on illegal drugs focus on legal drugs * Against Legalization: * Alcohol has history of social acceptance in US * Prohibition is affective against illicit drugs * Legalization of drugs increases consumption increase in overdose and death * How come crack involves higher level of violence than cocaine if less expensive drugs results in less crime? * If legalized more people will start using drugs * Good Country Policies (essay question) * England: * Marijuana is not prescribed for medical use * Prescribe heroin for heroin addicts * Reach out to people to get treatment through the Justice System * When you want help you get help * Portugal: * Jail time replaced with treatment * People caught with small amount sent to a panel ...
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...Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and at times uncontrollable craving for the drug. Drugs can lead to physical as well as psychological dependence when taken in larger doses for a longer period of time. This leads to addiction. Some of the symptoms of addiction are cravings for drug, inability to abstain from the drug, physical symptoms, and inability to recognize the deterioration of relationships with friends and family, inappropriate emotional response and other behavioral problems. Drug or alcohol addiction frequently involves cycles of relapse and remission, even with long term treatment. Addiction Treatment The main aim of addiction treatments is not just removing or reducing drug or alcohol use. Their main...
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...Chemical Dependency Counseling Perspective Jacy Patt Basic Chemical dependency counseling skills are understanding addiction, treatment knowledge, application to practice, professional readiness, and clinical evaluation. Others include screening, assessment, treatment planning, referral, case management/service coordination, implementing the treatment plan, consulting assessment and treatment planning. Possible assessments evaluation instruments are: substance use history, family dynamics, work history, psychological concerns, physical and mental status. Also, educational and life skills, current legal status, use of community resources, and more. Core elements for individual counseling are rapport, empathy, genuineness, attentiveness, respect, immediacy, concreteness, and warmth. Counselor skills go together with the elements of counseling and guide the counselor in the therapy process. Listening, reflecting, questioning, confronting, self-disclosing, interpreting, and clarifying are among these skills. Documentation is the recording of the screening and intake process and the assessment and treatment plan as well as the preparation of written reports, clinical progress notes, discharge summaries and other clinical-related data. Successful charts should be notable for the thorough and accurate charting of all pertinent aspects of patient contact. Responsibility to find a good supervisor, meeting their training needs, is up to the counseling student. They should...
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...The human services encompass many roles and responsibilities that work to the benefit of society. Human services workers engage in addressing the needs and problems that people experience. To that end, the presentation of human services comprises that of assisting and leading client’s to a better quality of life. We will discuss two fields within the profession that provide important areas of service including that of self-sufficiency and rehabilitation. Noted functions which make up human services include assisting those persons who lack mental capacity, helping them return to a previous status quo and assisting those who are unable to care for themselves temporarily. Human services professionals should acquire certain characteristics that enable them to competently perform their job. These characteristics include the ability to be a good listener, compassion and to have a strong commitment to enhancing the client’s life and well-being. One important aspect of the human services worker’s job is to teach client’s how to access services and programs that will address their most basic needs. Therefore, the human services professional should have an in depth understanding in how services are delivered and the individual agencies and organizations that deliver them. One of the professions that fall under the purview of human services that I find interesting is that of a client advocate. Client advocates impart services that improve needy individual’s quality of life by teaching...
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...choke her and then kicks her repeatedly. He also sexually assaults her. He is worse when he uses meth. The couple also both uses heroin and alcohol. The husband supplies client’s drugs. He tells her she is a useless junkie and no one else would want her. The client wants to leave her partner, as she is very fearful that one day he will bash her to death. But she is worried about her access to drugs, his mates’ violence and where she might go to live with her daughter, who is three years old. Currently the client is moderately addictive to the drugs she was taking and she needs to take the drug every day. Otherwise, she faces physical illness and in this way she is dependent on her husband. She is experiencing negative consequences for addiction. It makes her feel isolated, helpless, or ashamed. In case of other issues, the issue of the safety of her daughter is the prime concern to get rid of her husband and drug as well. Validating her mixed and confused feelings and normalizing them as consequences of domestic and sexual violence helps the client to move to become more accepting of these feelings, which in turn will help her to inform more safe and protective decisions and choices. Task B Q1. What communication skills and strategies were used by the worker conducting the assessment with the client? In this case following communication skills and strategies were used by the worker: * Be very much supportive and sympathetic. * Obtain written informed consent...
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...Nichelle Langford BSHS/322 Client Rec Paper: Retain, Refer, or Release 1 Dec 11 – 30 Jan 12 Case Study 1 Location: Family Support Services Center Staff member: Tom Martin * Demographics * Age: 32 * Gender: Male * Marital status: Divorced * Race or ethnicity: Caucasian * Years with agency: 4 * Staff member history and current assessment * Employed as an individual counselor for adult clients * Considered an adequate, but not outstanding, counselor * Two previous client complaints that could not be substantiated * A review of Tom’s previous case files shows four female clients who terminated counseling with no explanation * Female client of Tom has informed supervisor that he had made inappropriate sexual comments, bought her presents, had one out-of-office date’, and implied that he could help get custody of her children back from protective service with a favorable treatment report * Tom initially denied these accusations when they were presented to him but does admit that he is attracted to client Recommendation: Release; probation. My recommendation would be to have a full investigation on the claims of the client. There is nothing wrong with being attracted to your client as long as you never voice that attraction or act upon it. While the investigation is open, Mr. Martin should be supervised while with his clients. Strategies: My only strategies for dealing...
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...Dual Diagnosis Jana Hall Liberty University Abstract There is so much yet to be learned by researchers in regards to understanding the intertwining connections between mental illness and substance use disorders. This essay is barely scratching the surface in describing the complexity of the two. In order to know how to treat an individual who exhibits symptoms of both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, it must first be determined which came first, the mental illness that lead to the substance use disorder or the SUD which exacerbated the underlying mental illness. I’m sure you have heard the saying, ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ Well, this seems to be the dilemma for the experts in their respective fields of study in determining the most effective form of treatment for those who have been given a dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, individuals who have this diagnosis have become the norm in today’s day, rather than the exception. Dual Diagnosis It was widely believed at one time that substance use disorders and mental illness were seldom found in an individual. Since that time, it has been discovered, through epidemiological studies done on individuals who struggle with both mental illness and substance use disorder, that this is not true. A majority of those diagnosed with a mental illness also concurrently have a substance use disorder (Doweiko, 2015). ). Some of the mental illnesses that are challenging mental health professionals today...
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...Effective Method to Treat Opioid Addiction Jason Yarborough SOC 490 Dr. C. T. Rowley September 16, 2012 A Combined Approach: Seeking an Effective Method to Treat Opioid Addiction Background Addiction treatment approaches can take many forms. From Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to long term inpatient rehabilitation programs, there are many different choices available to those struggling with addiction. Understanding the nature of each type of addiction and determining the best course of treatment for the individual is important to ensure success. For opioid addiction, maintenance based programs, though controversial, show high rates of treatment retention, reduction in criminality, gainful employment, and improvement in health; offering an alternative to those who have not had success in abstinence based programs. Addiction is a challenging and complicated health issue. It affects people physically as well as mentally and socially, impacting nearly every aspect of life. Families can be torn apart. The effects of addiction can cause a person to lose employment and fall into poverty. Health issues such as HIV and hepatitis can affect addicts who share needles, or engage in prostitution to obtain drugs. The greatest consequence of addiction is death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Drug overdose death rates in the United States have more than tripled since 1990 and have never been higher.” The negative consequences of addiction are many. This highlights...
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...They counsel individuals on how to change their behavior with the motivation of a full recovery. The most troubling thing is clients are susceptible to relapses, most substance abuse counselors work with clients for years. Some of the day to day responsibilities of a substance abuse counselor vary because of the threat of each client threat of relapse. One of the things I would truly want to know about Counseling is the negative aspect of Counseling. Some of the things I learned, was when you see a friend or family member enter the facility, it can become uncomfortable for the client as well as the counselor....
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