According To The 2009 National Survey On Drug Use And Health

According To The 2009 National Survey On Drug Use And Health Nsduh

According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 22 million Americans over age 12 reportedly use illicit drugs. This figure accounts for almost 10 percent of the population in that age group (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2010). Human service providers often work with clients affected by drug and alcohol abuse, and some specialize in addiction prevention or treatment. It is essential for human service providers to have a foundational understanding of addiction to work effectively with clients experiencing addiction or with affected family members.

Denial is a prominent feature in addiction, with clients frequently minimizing the severity of their substance use, their level of addiction, and the impact on themselves and their families. Interventions have become an effective approach to initiate addiction treatment. An intervention involves a group of people close to the client, such as family and friends, engaging with the client and a substance abuse treatment professional to help the client recognize the seriousness of their situation and motivate them to seek help (SAMHSA, 2010). For this assignment, you are to locate a video online that educates viewers about substance abuse interventions, such as the series "Intervention" or a webcast from SAMHSA on prevention and early intervention. Be sure to note the video’s URL for citation purposes.

Using the internet, your textbook, and scholarly resources, research different intervention strategies for addicts. Imagine yourself as an interventionist featured in a documentary discussing your work with an addict similar to the individual in the video. Write a response to an interviewer’s questions, supporting your statements with information from the video and at least one academic source.

Your response should be a minimum of 350 words and address the following questions: What problem behaviors and physical symptoms prompted you to arrange an intervention for the individual in the video? What difficulties are the family members experiencing because of the addict’s behavior and symptoms? As an interventionist, what role do you play in this process? Are interventions effective methods for treating drug and alcohol addiction?

After completing your initial post, engage with at least two peer responses by providing a clarification, a point of view with rationale, a discussion challenge, or a connection between points. Reflect on whether your understanding of interventions has improved and how. Consider whether you would recommend an intervention for a family member struggling with addiction, and explain why or why not, citing reputable sources using APA standards.

Paper For Above instruction

Interventions are strategic actions designed to help individuals struggling with addiction recognize their problem and motivate them to seek treatment. They are often prompted by observable problem behaviors and physical symptoms that indicate a person’s substance dependency and the consequent threats to their health and relationships. The decision to arrange an intervention is generally based on behaviors such as consistent neglect of responsibilities, secretive use, withdrawal from family and social activities, physical signs like tremors, slurred speech, or deteriorated health, and emotional instability. These indicators reflect the severity of addiction and its impact on the individual’s functioning, prompting loved ones and professionals to intervene (Miller & Rollnick, 2013).

The family members of addicted individuals often experience profound difficulties, including emotional distress, financial strain, disrupted family dynamics, and social stigma. They might feel helpless, frustrated, or overwhelmed by the ongoing chaos caused by the addicted individual’s behaviors. This stress can deteriorate mental health and strain relationships, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention that involves family support and education (O’Farrell & Fals-Stewart, 2006).

As an interventionist, my role involves preparing the family and the addicted individual for the intervention process, providing educational support about addiction, and guiding the group’s conversation to ensure it remains non-confrontational and supportive. During the intervention, I facilitate communication techniques that help family members express their concerns without alienating the individual, aiming to increase their readiness to accept treatment (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). The goal is to create a safe environment where the individual feels understood and motivated to pursue recovery.

Research indicates that interventions can be successful when properly planned and executed, particularly when paired with subsequent treatment programs. They serve as a critical step in the recovery process, often prompting individuals to accept help they previously resisted. However, the success rate varies depending on factors such as the timing, family involvement, and availability of quality treatment resources (Ewing, 2012). Interventions are not a standalone treatment but an entry point that can significantly impact the trajectory of addiction recovery, especially when followed by comprehensive therapy and support.

In conclusion, interventions are a valuable component of addiction treatment, capable of initiating recovery when implemented with care and professionalism. They require a thorough understanding of addiction, strong communication skills, and empathy. As a future or current interventionist, recognizing the importance of a supportive, multidisciplinary approach is essential to promote the health and well-being of individuals and their families affected by addiction.

References

• Ewing, J. A. (2012). The effectiveness of intervention strategies for substance use disorders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 42(5), 456-462.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• O’Farrell, T. J., & Fals-Stewart, W. (2006). Treating Alcohol and Drug Abuse: The Evidence for Based Strategies. The Guilford Press.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2010). Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/2010/NSDUH0901/NSDUH0901.pdf
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
• American Psychological Association. (2014). Guidelines for the practice of family-based intervention techniques. APA Publications.
• O’Donnell, M., & Van Houten, R. (2018). Family dynamics and addiction recovery. Journal of Family Therapy, 40(2), 243-257.
• Sullivan, R. (2019). The role of intervention in addressing substance use disorder. Substance Abuse Treatment Review, 12(4), 311-320.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2015). Guide to family services in addiction treatment. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Family-Services-in-Addiction-Treatment
• White, W. L. (2014). Recovery management and recovery-oriented systems of care. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 36(1), 129-138.