...What is the economic cost of substance abuse and addiction? The estimates are shocking in the hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Yes, that’s right…. not hundreds of millions, but hundreds of billions of dollars. Illicit drug use alone accounts for 181 billion dollars per year in health care, productivity loss, crime, incarceration, and drug enforcement. Alcohol addiction accounts for approximately the same amount also. ("Molecules to Managed Care," 2008) So how do we deal with such an enormous problem? We can’t ignore problems of such a monumental financial impact to our country. We spend so much on damage control from the result of addiction and so very little on prevention. How can we turn this around to change these numbers and positively affect our society? Early intervention and treatment are the only way to combat these staggering numbers. In 2010 23 million Americans, age 12 or older, identified as having substance abuse issues and only 2.6 million received treatment at specialty facilities in 2009. Why are so few seeking treatment? Keywords: SBIRT, SAMHSA, abuse, addiction, ED, ONDCP, NIDA, ACA The business of drug Abuse There is an enormous amount of money spent in this country on dealing with the aftermath of substance abuse and addiction. What are we doing to prevent this disease? If we recognize that addiction to drugs and alcohol is a disease then what is our plan for prevention and early intervention? How does this disease start? Primary socialization...
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...on treatment interventions that are commonly used substance use disorder treatment approaches. Because, every treatment approach may not apply to the use of substance use disorder. An overview of some treatment approaches to addiction counseling may will be discussed. Along with the treatment differences for each, the method and rationale, the treatment professionals that are involved in addiction counseling. Treatment approaches to addiction counseling is very important because some type of addiction affects more than half of our population. Overview of Treatment Approaches to Addictions Counseling There are several commonly empirically researched substance use disorders treatments for addictions...
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...Staff Behavior As a human services manager, encountering various types of individuals will happen in the professional life. These individuals will not only be the client but also workers as well. There may be times when an employee displays behavior unacceptable in the specific career of choice. Behaviors as a result of chemical dependency are one of those performance issues that need immediate action. Drug abusers try to conceal and deny their problem. Human service managers must be aware of the warning signs and be able to address the issue because a chemical dependent worker may display inappropriate behaviors that can lead to his or her personal appearance and the lack of commitment to his or her job. This action leads to poor job performances and attendance issues. The human services professional should have distinct qualities that will help with intervention techniques, assist them with assessment, goal setting, contracting, and evaluation. Signs of Chemical Dependency Team C will take the approach and address the problem of a staff...
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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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...Computer Game Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, & FAQs By Dr. Brent Conrad Clinical Psychologist for TechAddiction What is computer game addiction? Computer game addiction generally refers to an excessive, unhealthy amount of playing computer games. Rather than engaging in the real world, an addicted user devotes the majority of his or her time to gaming. The addicted gamer often isolates him/herself from others, ignores more important responsibilities, and is often obsessed with obtaining higher status / rankings / achievements in his/her favorite computer game. Is computer game addiction a diagnosable disorder? According to the DSM-IV (the current manual for classifying emotional, psychological, and mental disorders), no. Although there have been calls from some mental health professionals (and parents) to recognize computer game addiction as a "real" disorder, it has not been granted official diagnostic status. As more research on the effects of excessive gaming is conducted, many believe that it is only a matter of time before computer game addiction is classified as a compulsive behavior similar to gambling addiction. What are the symptoms of computer game addiction? Because there is no official diagnosis of computer game addiction, there is obviously no universally agreed upon list of symptoms. Psychologists and other mental health professionals initially adapted the diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction and used this as a rough assessment tool...
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...Running head: SMITH FAMILY CASE STUDY 1 SMITH FAMILY CASE STUDY 8 Smith Family Case Study Thomas J. McCarthy Grand Canyon University: PCN-531 March 29, 2017 Smith Family Case Study Explore Treatment Issues After the loved one has been through a substance abuse treatment program, and is being discharge, it is now important for the family to become involved. Substance abuse addiction is a “family disease”. And, one way to become involved in the ongoing recovery is for the family members to attend 12-step meetings such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Alateen. (Gifford, 2016) These will not only help the family members with how to deal with an addict,...
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...population that are at higher risk for multiple health problems due to environmental hazards (e.g., lead exposure from lead-based paint from peeling walls, melamine added to milk supplies), social hazards (e.g. crime, violence), personal behavior, (e.g.,...
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...are the problem behaviors and physical symptoms that led you to arrange an intervention for the addicted person in the video? Sean was introduced to alcohol at 13 years of age, he now reportedly drinks a gallon and a half a day of vodka alongside many other alcoholic beverages. As a result of his drinking, he has developed an esophagus related illness, which according to medical professionals without surgery would turn into a full cancer stage, leaving him approximately two years to live until full hospitalization is required. Sean refuses surgery as according to him, it will make him stop drinking, which he refuses to do. Furthermore, Sean is homeless, and relies on aid from his daughter and newly acquired wealthy girlfriend, alongside his family for support, not only financially but for all other basic life necessities, such as food and shelter. (A&E Shows, 2012). 2. What are the difficulties the family of the addicted person is experiencing as a result of the addicted person’s behavior and symptoms? Sean’s daughter, has often bailed his father out of various expensive bar tabs, as Sean has no money or bank accounts to himself. His brother, who is very close to him, feels like Sean has changed dramatically as a result of his drinking problem, which is greatly distancing Sean from his brother and the rest of the family. 3. What role do you, as an interventionist, play in an intervention? According to a 2011 webcast titled “Prevention/Early Intervention for Substance...
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...1990. Addiction and drug abuse have been focal points of politicians such as Nancy Reagan and the D.A.R.E to say no campaign. However, it was another first lady that began a spearhead campaign for the treatment of such an illness. Betty Ford and the Betty Ford center catered to the therapeutic treatment of addicts. Group C will give a brief description of the Betty Ford case study. The biological, psychological, and social factors involved will be discussed. Finally an example of a clinical intervention will be illustrated. This case concerns Betty Ford who is the widow of former president Gerald Rudolph Ford. In the period of time she spent as First Lady, she had a strong influence in the United States as a spokeswoman for breast cancer and the women’s movement. Her most important influence came about after her husband lost the presidential election in 1976 (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009). A couple of years later, Betty Ford revealed to family that she had an addiction to drugs and alcohol. She started treatment at a hospital about one week later. The treatment program lasted a month and played a huge role in creating a passion in her to do something positive with her disorder and help other people (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009). This passion led to the creation of a clinic for people who are going the same addictions as she experienced. This clinic is known as the well-known Betty Ford Clinic for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction (Meyer...
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...Application of Clinical Psychology: Betty Ford Courtney Bowers, Tina Colbert, Janell Thomas, Mervin Waldron PSY/480 March 30, 2015 Tara Thompson Application of Clinical Psychology: Betty Ford Substance abuse can stem from a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors. These factors may vary from addict to addict, and it is the role of clinical psychology to examine the roots of addiction, and what type of treatment, such as interventions, would apply to and possibly work best for each individual. Interventions have to be rational as they apply to a patient, and the clinical psychology professional would have to have a plan as to who is involved, where will it be, what should happen, and what specific areas the intervention will focus on. We will examine the case study of Betty Ford, and uncover the possible reason for addiction as well as what type of interventions may work best and why. The Case of Betty Ford Many have heard of the Betty Ford Clinic, but most think Betty Ford, former first lady opened the clinic up because she wanted to help substance abuse addicts. In fact, that is precisely what she wished to accomplish, but for reasons other than just helping. Betty Ford was an addict herself. In 1978, Ford admitted that she was an addict, and a week later went into a treatment program. Inspired by the ability to overcome drugs and alcohol through treatment, in 1982, the Betty Ford Clinic was opened. Substance abuse doesn't lend itself to...
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...Drugs and Alcohol Substance Abuse What is substance abuse and addiction? Substance abuse is a pattern of use of drugs and/or alcohol for non-medical purposes for altering the mood, mind, and behavior. This is a serious problem and people that abuse drugs and/or alcohol can get sick, destroy their lives and the lives of family and friends. Death has resulted from substance abuse. Commonly abused is alcohol, prescription or over the counter drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, depressants, inhalants, marijuana, narcotics, and even tobacco. Substance abuse can occur in all ages, social statuses and races. Addiction is dependence and a compulsive need to use the substance no matter what the outcome may be. Addiction is the compulsion to use the substance to feel satisfied and a person that is addicted to drugs or alcohol will have withdrawal symptoms if they stop using the substance. With addiction there is a psychological and physical aspect in that the person is unable to control the addiction without help. Addiction is not a habit. A habit can be controlled and a person can choose to stop a habit without issues. Addiction puts a person out of control of choices and not in control of their life. The drugs or alcohol are controlling the person. The cause of addiction can be a combination of physical, emotional, mental and a change of circumstances in a person’s life. According to Hammer (2012), addiction has been understood in various ways; a sin, a disease, a bad habit...
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...Introduction What is addiction, you ask, the dictionary describes addictions as a “compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance or the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved with something”. (Houghton Mifflin, 2005) Do you think you might have any addictions? For the most part addictions are very serious, even if you don’t think you have one you probably do and just don’t realize it yet. Think about something you can not leave the house or work with out or maybe when you wake up in the morning you have to get the cup of coffee or coke. Most would say that this is an addiction. Addictions are hard to break but sometimes that is necessary because they are controlling you life. There is not a soul out there that wants something so small to control them but they just don’t know how to let it go. This paper will cover some causes, symptoms, and treatments for addictions. Causes of Addictions For some time now researchers have tried to determine the cause or causes of addictions and have failed to determine that factor. The simple answer would be if people did not drink alcohol, use drugs, gamble, or do anything else that is addictive. So let’s look at some examples of how one might become an addict. “People take drugs, for instance, because of their physical effects. They have a marked effect on the body and mind.”(Marsden, May 2001) Since most substances make us feel better, relax, or excite us we tend to go...
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...An epidemic is the rapid spread of infectious disease to a large population within a short time frame. Unfortunately, not being an infectious disease, the opioid crisis does not fall into such a category. Yet, it is a rapidly expanding problem that requires immediate attention. Particularly, in addressing our patients requiring pain management. Often the most commonly prescribed treatment options cause addiction and dependence How did we get into this conundrum? As practicing physicians, we were inadequately trained regarding how to treat pain, how to prevent addiction, and what to do once identified. That, coupled with inadequate information regarding the effects of opioid prescriptions, ill prepared doctors to be the only lynch pin in stemming the present situation. So, in moving forward, what is the solution? As a...
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...presents alternatives to drug misuse and abuse. I decided to choose this lecture because the topic of drugs and health seemed interesting. Also drug and alcohol related abuse is a current issue within my family so one day I would hope to be able to help certain family members who are dealing with such problems. The lecture was on Intervention and EAPs and on Addiction. He started the lecture with a quote by Thomas Edison, “many of life’s failures didn’t realize how close they were to success before they gave up,” relating the quote to how individuals would be on the right track on recovering from addiction then possibly slip up and drink or smoke again. An interesting question he addressed to the clas was, What is the number one strategy to reducing death in drinking and driving? The class answered with strategies referring to reducing drinking and driving but not realizing the strategies to reducing deaths is different than reducing drinking and driving. The answer was having safer cars with seat belts, and airbags. The next topic was on the maintenance enabling system of substance use disorder, which means someone else is ‘softening the blow’ and cleaning up after the person who has the addiction problem. The class also defined intervention as addressing that there is a problem, halting behavior, having a conversation of the pattern, and lastly bringing the person to...
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...SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS Substance use disorders leave many lasting effects that touch upon every member of families and society as a whole. It is an ever-growing epidemic that can easily take over a person’s whole life if they let it. Anyone who listens to the news or is aware of his or her surroundings can see that we are engulfed in a drug crisis. This paper will examine how the relationships of friends, family, co-workers and society suffer from exposure to an addict. It will also look at how we as a society can help to foster reform. Addiction touches everybody in some way, shape or form. It affects people physically, psychologically, and financially to name a few. Substance use disorder negatively affects emotional...
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