What is Substance Abuse Assessment?
Information about the client must be gathered during the assessment phase to formulate goals and treatments. To varying degrees, this entails working with the client, depending on your point of view. The goal is to gather information about a client’s needs throughout this counseling process. This covers alcohol or drug use, abuse, addiction, mental health, associated factors, and other presenting problems. Brad, my client, and I will be able to develop the best effective treatment plan if we examine all of this data together. Brad’s presenting issues, assessment instruments, and modalities will be laid out in this assessment. Brad’s commitment and case scheme will also be drawn up as part of this process.
I will help choose an assessment instrument for Brad from among the numerous available to determine whether or not he has a substance abuse problem and any associated concerns. Client data will be recorded and organized per institutional standards. The biopsychosocial assessment data will be used to create an individualized treatment plan. Evidence shows that a multidisciplinary method is the most effective way for anyone whose life is unmanageable due to drug or alcohol abuse (Kikkert et al., 2018: Krashin et al., 2020). In the next step, we will manage the coordination of a wide variety of counseling and other interventions. Counseling is a never-ending process of growth and development (Shafie et al., 2019). We will be able to track the client’s progress towards their SMART goals after helping them design them. It is then possible to quickly make significant modifications and various degrees of adjustment to guarantee that the process remains on track.
Identified issues and challenges
To get help, someone has to have a “presenting issue” that causes them to seek professional help. Although fluctuations in one’s mental health are normal, you may find that a specific symptom or set of symptoms necessitates additional treatment. Brad’s mother, Sandra, is quite concerned and upset about Brad, and she provided a detailed list of Brad’s bad behavior over the past two years. Sandra says that Brad, a year older than his sister Samantha, was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). The last year has seen him struggle academically at university and grow increasingly hostile towards her on a personal level as well. Brad’s primary problem, according to Sandra, was his excessive drinking, which caused him ongoing problems. He comes home at odd hours, and he will sleep through the entire day unless she nags him to get out of bed. She fears he will follow in his father’s footsteps, who was an alcoholic. According to his mother, a four-year-old accident that left one of his friends permanently brain-damaged is something he needs to talk about.
When you inquire about his purpose for being here, he responds, “I’m not entirely sure – what did mum say?” and appears apprehensive about engaging in conversation with you. Brad’s friends drink the same way he does, and his mother is terrified because his father was an alcoholic (which is not the case with me!). Brad continues by claiming that his drinking is not all that horrible. His driving privileges have been suspended due to many high-range drink-driving infractions, and he has no plans to appeal. Because Brad’s friends have had similar experiences, he believes it is normal for him to experience memory loss while under alcohol. When he’s out with his buddies, they have cautioned him that he tends to be abrasive and start conflicts with them. He has a difficult time accepting this a lot of the time. Despite his dismissive attitude toward the drunk driving allegation as “just poor luck,” he expresses worry when you explain the repercussions of a conviction and willingness to see me again if I can assist.
Importance of Gathering Client Information
I will listen to what Brad has to say—beginning by posing open-ended questions and eliciting personal stories from the patient, not their substance abuse stories. “Tell me a little bit about yourself,” as detailed by Dr. Komaromy from the Boston University School of Medicine. Instead of asking if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol, I ask, ‘Will you be comfortable sharing a little bit about your background with substance use?’ The rest of the story begins to unfold when you reach that point (Madden et al., 2020). “When it comes to telling their stories, people really want to do it, but they often feel confined in a medical context,” she explained. I can get the best results if I let them speak for themselves. People want to be heard. A lot of helpful information is available right now. According to Dr. Komaromy, “a patient is certainly not having a good time by the time, they are open to treatment. Because they struggled with withdrawal and something that feels like a stranglehold, they have been exported to a phase of substance use disorder that is truly terrible.
Getting to the core of the issue is paramount. A patient’s substance abuse is best treated if the healthcare provider and patient can determine the root cause of their addiction (Simon et al., 2019). As Brad, they are usually very hurting and nearly always have some tale of trauma underlying it. My job is not only about addressing the immediate problem of substance abuse but also figuring out how to begin addressing the underlying trauma or risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. In so doing, I have to maintain respect for others. It is important to remember that respect is the best way to avoid stigma in these discussions (Komaromy et al., 2016). People with substance use disorders are used to being mistreated because of the stigma. Consideration must be communicated at all times. The message is that I am just like you, and I am trying to figure out how I may be of use. When describing them, efforts must be made to avoid using terms like “addict” or “junkie.” (Atayde et al., 2021; Saitz et al., 2020) Having an addiction does not define a person. An “addict” label can be humiliating and demeaning to bear. Use terminology that puts the “person” first, such as “person with an addiction.” The idea that you are a drug addict shocks me.
Assessment is obtaining information about a customer to develop a plan of action and goals for the future. Substance abuse and related disorders can be diagnosed using various evaluation techniques (Du et al., 2020). Clinical assessment tools, case planning, DSM-V standards, and the CAGE questionnaire are only a few examples of specialized assessment tools available. The Cage Questionnaire is what I’m going to utilize. Alcohol dependence can be detected using the CAGE questionnaire, which consists of four questions. The CAGE questionnaire is used to determine a person’s level of alcohol dependence. Healthcare professionals can diagnose alcohol dependency or do it by the individual themselves using a self-assessment instrument. In addition to the person’s current position, the questions on this tool consider their entire background.
Choosing an Assessment Instrument
The CAGE questionnaire is used as an initial screening tool for alcohol consumption disorder by healthcare providers. When alcoholism is suspected or maybe a problem, it is used. Before asking any more questions concerning alcohol usage, healthcare providers should use these open-ended questions as a starting point. Four questions are included in the CAGE questionnaire (Williams, 2014). Cut down, angry, guilty, and eye-opener are all represented by the letters of the acronym CAGE. A “yes” or a “no” answer is allowed for the CAGE questionnaire’s questions. Those who answer “no” receive a score of 0 points, while those who say “yes” receive a point reward. Four distinct scores are added together to generate a total score of zero to four. It is (O’Brien, 2008). If you get a 2 or 3, you should be very concerned about alcohol use disorder. A score of 4 indicates that the person is at risk for alcoholism.
Client information is recorded and organized in various ways by various agencies. The Biopsychosocial Assessment Form is one of the tools I use. The biopsychosocial approach is one of several approaches that integrate three views and aspects that correspond to the three levels of analysis in the study of psychology (John et al., 2020), which are as follows: As the name implies, this form provides a structure for recording a wide range of information about your client that is relevant to substance misuse and addiction treatment. An individual is a product of their surroundings. In this approach, biological, psychological, and social aspects are all considered in conjunction with one another to explain and describe how overall health is affected by these elements (Frazier, 2020). It might be an extremely useful tool to record and organize the data that will inform the ITP (individual treatment plan) and integrated interventions.
In the Biopsychosocial paradigm, the three spheres—the biological, the psychological, and the social—are intertwined. Anatomical and physiological changes in the human body are simulated in the model (Hilty et al., 2015). It’s logically deduced from Engel’s hypothesis. Finding out what’s causing someone’s problems involves considering a person’s biological, social, and psychological characteristics. Primary care clinicians can use the biopsychological model to improve clinical outcomes by increasing patient self-management of illness through dynamic and dyadic doctor-patient relationships and raising knowledge of the linkages between biopsychological, social-cultural, and spiritual aspects. Understanding the connection between biological and psychosocial components helps primary care physicians treat their patients more effectively.
The questions that I will pose are: ” “During your childhood, were there any traumatic events? In that case, please elaborate.” “Do any members of your family suffer from mental illness or addiction? “Do the people you grew up with influence who you are today?
“How did you find school when you were younger?”
Modalities To Use In Working With Brad
Brad’s issues can be addressed using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), strength-based, motivational interviewing (MI), and solution-focused therapy. Individual, group, couples, and family therapies are among the most common forms of treatment. Even if you do not feel like it, you are the ultimate authority over yourself (Treatment Modalities | Introduction to Psychology, 2014). When working with someone, I hope to build a solid therapeutic relationship with them and help them achieve their individual goals. As soon as a person decides to enter therapy, an intake interview is undertaken to establish their clinical requirements. It is termed an intake since it’s the first meeting between the therapist and the client. Accurate information is gathered to meet immediate needs, such as a patient’s presenting complaint, support system, and insurance status. Confidentiality, fees, and what to anticipate during treatment are discussed with the client by the psychotherapist. During the intake, the therapist and client will work together to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. Then, a care plan will be established, usually with specific and measurable goals in mind. They will also discuss how therapy progress will be evaluated and how long it will take.
Recording and Organizing Data
A contract and case plan for Brad.
Assessing Brad’s addiction severity is the first stage in building Brad’s case plan. The signs and symptoms he’s exhibiting, and his addiction’s impact on his life will be investigated. The root causes of his addiction, like mental health disorders or trauma, must also be considered. Once one’s addiction is known, a plan of attack can be formulated. This may include a referral to a treatment program or individual counseling and support. Brad needs a plan to deal with cravings and triggers to avoid relapsing.
In my work with Brad, I will consider the following interventions:
- Examine Brad’s addiction to alcohol and other substances and any underlying mental health concerns that may be present.
- Brad’s treatment should involve detoxification, rehabilitation, and relapse prevention.
- Encourage Brad to attend individual and group therapy sessions to deal with his addiction and other concerns.
- Create a dynamic and practical support network for Brad with the help of his family and close friends.
- Refer Brad to 12-step or other rehabilitation programs that can provide him with more help.
- Please keep track of Brad’s development and make any adjustments to his treatment plan.
We mobilize our counseling interventions and provide referrals for medical, detox, pharmacotherapeutics, rehabilitation, housing, and other financial or forensic interventions. I’ll also be in charge of coordinating the various forms of counseling and other interventions that will be offered.
Clinical Studies Show That Treating Addiction As a Progressive Brain Disease Improves Outcomes These Studies Used The Brain Disease Model Of Addiction To Inform public health policymakers and develop a more effective treatment, prevention, and management methods (Volkow et al., 2016). Studies. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence and advances in treatment and policy, the notion that addiction is a brain disease is still contested. A mental illness, addiction challenges the values of personal responsibility and self-determination that frame drug use as a self-indulgent act (Matteo, 2016). This theory states that addiction develops when a person repeatedly engages in a behavior.
What causes a habitual behavior to lead to disease eventually? It also has disturbing implications for legislation and public attitudes toward addicts. Addiction appears to bolster criminal and individual negligence rather than penalize harmful and harmful behavior. This model also fails to identify the specific brain abnormalities or genetic aberrations common in addicts. Advances in neurobiology have addressed troubling speculation and criticism, shedding light on why drug addicts suffer from severe emotional imbalance and poor decision-making (Barnet et al., 2020). Neurobiological advances have also shed light on the basic biological mechanisms that support life. Disrupting these systems causes a shift in involuntary behavioral control, leading to drug addiction and other self-regulation disorders like video game addiction, pathological gambling, or obesity (Afzal, 2020). New research shows how and why young people who start taking drugs develop an addiction due to environmental and genetic factors.
Conclusion
Case studies are a useful tool for determining the root causes of a client’s problems and developing a treatment strategy. To work with an addicted client, I’ve created a case plan based on Brad’s Case Study. We gathered information about the client during the assessment phase to develop treatment plans. We applied the CAGE interview questionnaires. To learn more about a client’s needs, it is important to ask lots of questions during a counseling session. Many topics were covered, including alcohol or drug abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and other underlying issues. After analyzing all of this information, Brad, my client, and I worked together to develop the best possible treatment plan.
This assessment outlined Brad’s presenting issues, assessment instruments, and modalities. Brad’s commitment and case plan were drawn up as part of this process. To determine whether or not Brad has a substance abuse problem and any associated concerns, I helped him select an assessment instrument from the many available. Institutional procedures were followed when collecting and organizing client data. An individualized treatment plan was developed based on the results of the biopsychosocial assessment. There is a lot of evidence that social, environmental, and genetic factors play a significant role in the likelihood that a person will begin or continue to use drugs and the brain changes that characterize addiction.
Creating an Individualized Treatment Plan
References
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