HSV 532: DBs Unit 1

DB 1.1: Introduction and Recent Issues in Addictions

Hello, my name is Augusta Ejiofor Sherrod, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. In my previous work, I have worked in the sphere of community mental health, and I covered a lot of therapeutic sessions with people suffering from mental disorders and those suffering from substance use disorders: HSV 532: DBs Unit 1.

I have a special interest in the area of community work with special emphasis on working with the young and those suffering from mental diseases or alcohol and drug addiction. Besides, my envisioned career plan of longer-term education to attain a master’s in clinical psychology and work on advocacy to actualize policy changes in mental health and substance use treatment are within my corpus.

As I embark on this course, I am excited about achieving three specific learning goals:

1. Deepening my understanding of evidence-based treatment approaches for addiction recovery, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), which are critical for client-centered care.
2. Gaining insight into effective relapse prevention strategies that help sustain long-term sobriety and enhance coping mechanisms.
3. Exploring the influence of sociocultural factors on addiction treatment, especially in underserved populations, to develop culturally competent care approaches.

A recent issue in the field of addictions that I find particularly interesting is the growing use of rapid detoxification methods, such as the Waismann Method. As highlighted by Kiburi et al. (2022), this approach promises to alleviate physical dependence on opioids in hours, offering relief from the debilitating symptoms of withdrawal. While the strategy claims to do so soon, it casts doubt about the treatment of the psycho-biological aspects of the disorder.

Based on scientific findings, detoxification is merely a process in the starting phases of responding to substance abuse disorders and requires the application of a comprehensive treatment approach (Volkow & Blanco, 2020). As supported by Araújo-Soares et al., (2019), the issue is to combine such a fast approach with methods that take into consideration the emotional and behavioral aspects of the disease to develop individual comprehensive treatment plans.

References

Araújo-Soares, V., Hankonen, N., Presseau, J., Rodrigues, A., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2019). Developing Behavior Change Interventions for Self-Management in Chronic Illness. European Psychologist, 24(1), 7–25. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000330

Kiburi, S. K., Mwangi, J., & Maina, G. (2022). Exploring the experiences of clients receiving opioid use disorder treatment at a methadone clinic in Kenya: a qualitative study. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-022-00352-z

Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2020). The changing opioid crisis: Development, challenges, and opportunities. Molecular Psychiatry, 26(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-0661-4

DB 1.2: Treatment Differences in Stages of Recovery

Substance use disorder treatment evolves significantly across the stages of recovery—early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery. Each stage presents unique challenges that require tailored therapeutic approaches.

Early Abstinence

This is the detoxification and stabilization stage, wherein the clients are helped to successfully overcome their withdrawal symptoms and related cravings. Generally, the issues that clients experience during this time include emotional resistance, physical discomfort, and great fear of relapse. As an example, “John,” an imaginary client underlining drug addiction, begins to exhibit severe symptoms during acute withdrawal. Motivational Interviewing (MI) and psycho-education are crucial interventions at this juncture to consolidate commitment to the recovery process and to help clients negotiate the pitfalls of early abstinence (McKay, 2021).

Maintaining Abstinence

Once the patient reaches the stage of stabilization, then the major goal of the treatment becomes focused on how to prevent relapse and other skills that can be used to avoid relapse. In this phase, clients state and choose triggers, work through remaining unresolved emotional issues, and restore relationships with people (Volkow & Blanco, 2023). For example, a recovering alcoholic client, “Sarah,” may experience stress, such as job strain and loneliness, which are likely to cause her to drink again. CBT and group therapy are two effective approaches to treatment that will assist Sarah in knowing how to handle stress and curve a fortunate wheel in the world of relationships.

Advanced Recovery

This stage focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and long-term recovery. Most clients work toward goal setting and attainment in aspects of life such as career or family relations. A client, “Anna,” may work on developing a satisfying routine and reconnecting with friends and family members who are supportive. Therapy during this stage often includes life skills training and vocational readiness programs to help clients develop a meaningful, substance-free lifestyle.

Knowing about the needs of the clients in different stages, therapists will be in a position to offer the clients the necessary tools to work for their recovery. These individualized interventions are based on (Virág Zábó et al., 2023) Manual on Individual Drug Counseling which states that the nature of counseling will vary depending on the stage of the individual in the process of treatment.

References

McKay, J. R. (2021). Impact of Continuing Care on Recovery from Substance Use Disorder. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.35946/arcr.v41.1.01

Virág Zábó, Csiszar, A., Zoltan Ungvari, & György Purebl. (2023). Psychological Resilience and Competence: Key Promoters of Successful Aging and Flourishing in Late Life. GeroScience, 45(47). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-00856-9

Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2023). Substance use disorders: A comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention. World Psychiatry, 22(2), 203–229. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21073

DB 1.3: Unique Challenges Across Treatment Settings

Substance use disorder treatment is offered in various settings, each presenting unique challenges for treatment providers. Here are some insights into six common settings:

Medical Detoxification

The primary challenge in this setting is managing withdrawal symptoms and indicators. Seizures of any kind and other severe symptoms, particularly during alcohol withdrawal, require ongoing medical care. The client may also be afraid of the detox process, and that might make him or her reluctant to seek treatment (Farhoudian et al., 2022).

Dual-Diagnosis Inpatient Hospitalization

This modality caters to clients who suffer from co-morbid conditions of mental illness and substance abuse. The major challenge in all this is in integrating treatments since the two are often interrelated in the sense that substance abuse tends to exacerbate or worsen a mental health issue, making this integration a complicated balancing act (Volkow & Blanco, 2023).

Independent Rehabilitation Programs

Continuity of care post-discharge is a big problem. The clients are usually faced with problems in accessing outpatient care or in keeping the gains made during residential treatment. Supportive follow-ups and linkages to community resources are very important.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

PHPs ask clients to balance intensive treatment with daily responsibilities like work or childcare. This can be a source of stress for many clients and, thus, the likelihood of relapse. Providers must ensure that clients have strong support systems to manage such pressures.

Halfway Houses

These communal living environments also have interpersonal challenges, like conflicts between residents, which may threaten sobriety. The staff must be trained in conflict resolution and relapse prevention so that the environment can remain supportive.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

Lack of structure in IOPs compared to inpatient environments can contribute to making it challenging to address the danger of relapse. One must be exposed to triggers in his or her environment at the time he or she is in treatment to uphold his or her objectives. In such a situation, significant responsibility for creating accountability and personal resources is placed on the therapies (Fantuzzi & Mezzina, 2020).

For instance, a treatment provider in a dual-diagnosis inpatient hospital can be attending to a client diagnosed with schizophrenia and methamphetamine dependence. To meet his needs, one has to provide medication management and prescribe the patient psychotherapy as well as plan for relapse prevention.

References

Fantuzzi, C., & Mezzina, R. (2020). Dual diagnosis: A systematic review of the organization of community health services. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 66(3), 300–310. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764019899975

Farhoudian, A., Razaghi, E., Hooshyari, Z., Noroozi, A., Pilevari, A., Mokri, A., Mohammadi, M. R., & Malekinejad, M. (2022). Barriers and Facilitators to Substance Use Disorder Treatment: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 16(16), 117822182211184. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218221118462

Volkow, N. D., & Blanco, C. (2023). Substance use disorders: A comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention. World Psychiatry, 22(2), 203–229. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21073

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DB 1.1

• Please introduce yourself and share what are 3 things you hope to learn by the end of this course. Also, what is one recent issue related to addictions which you have found interesting? Please share more with the class.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 1.2

• From your readings, and the Individual Drug Counseling (1999) manual by Mercer and Woody, what do you think are 3 “differences” in terms of key treatment issues that exist in the early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery stages? Please demonstrate your understanding of these concepts by discussing a potential client (hypothetical of your choice) by identifying issues that might be present in each stage during your work with the client.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 1.3

• From your reading in Stevens & Smith (2010), a basic description of a medical detoxification, dual-diagnosis inpatient hospital, independent rehab programs, partial hospitalization, halfway houses, and intensive outpatient programs are discussed. In thinking about each of these settings, what makes the treatment obstacles that the human service professional might face “unique?” For example, what are some challenges that the treatment provider might face in each setting? Please think about examples to help demonstrate your understanding.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.