Socw 6443 wk 8 discussion 2: evaluating substance abuse client cases | SOCW 6443 – Psychopharmacology and Biopsychosocial Considerations | Walden University

SOCW 6443 wk 8 Discussion 2: Evaluating Substance Abuse Client Cases

Jerry has been a daily heroin user for the last 7 years. He is HIV positive and has recently been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Jerry believes that both of these illnesses were contracted through the use of shared needles. As a condition for treatment of hepatitis C with interferon, Jerry must agree to undergo treatment for his heroin addiction. He is considering the “methadone cure,” which includes daily doses of methadone to replace the heroin. He is not sure that he is willing to give up his heroin use. In fact, he used immediately before coming to his most recent counseling session. Jerry feels torn, but he knows that his life depends on this choice. What might be some compelling information for a client in this situation to know? What is your role as a mental health professional in advocating for treatment?

For this Discussion, review the case studies in the Learning Resources. Consider the factors used to determine the appropriateness of the medication used to treat a client’s substance abuse.

Post All questions in bold then answers APA format 7th addition full references and intext citations 300 to 500 words not including the questions

An explanation of the factors that indicate the appropriateness of the medication in potentially treating the client’s substance abuse

An explanation of the expected side effects of the medication and the mental health professional’s role in monitoring these side effects

A justification of the medication to advocate for its use to encourage the client to continue with treatment

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

Chapter 7, “Neurobiology of Addiction” (previously read in Week 2)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Chapter 14, “Substance-Related Disorders” (pp. 153-160)

Case study

Case : Angela

Angela is a 41-year-old African-American woman from Durham, NC. She has been

smoking cigarettes for as long as she can remember. Lately, though, she has noticed

that her friends have all quit and seem to be coming around less often. She figures their

absence is due to the cigarette constantly, firmly planted between the index and middle

fingers of her right hand. It is time to quit.

Angela does not consider herself to be an “addict” because she does not use “drugs.”

She does not drink alcohol and she does not take pills—“nothing.” She does, however,

smoke between two and three packs of cigarettes per day. She has tried to quit once,

using a nicotine patch, but “it didn’t even slow [her] down.” Angela thinks that cognitivebehavioral treatment might be something that she would like to try, but that she will

most likely need some medication as well. “I just like smoking, I’m going to like it, and

need it, and want it all of the time. If I’m going to quit, I gotta be able to get my mind off

it,” she says.