Assignment: Create A 30-Day Addiction Treatment Plan For Mar ✓ Solved

Assignment: Create a 30-day addiction treatment plan for Mar

Assignment: Create a 30-day addiction treatment plan for Maria, a 44-year-old hearing-impaired Latina female with alcohol dependence and signs of a major depressive disorder. The plan should address co-occurring disorders and reflect best practices for treating special populations. The plan must include at least four citations from the following materials: Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Chapter 19, Hidden Faces of Substance Use Disorders; Coleman-Cowger, V. H. (2012). Mental health treatment need among pregnant and postpartum women/girls entering substance abuse treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26(2), 345–350; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (2012). Older adult substance abuse treatment admissions have increased; number of special treatment programs for this population has decreased. Data Spotlight, SAMHSA; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012). Older adult substance abuse treatment admissions have increased; number of special treatment programs for this population has decreased. Retrieved from SAMHSA; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders (DHHS Publication No. SMA-). Retrieved from.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction and rationale

Co-occurring disorders—substance use disorders (SUDs) occurring with mental health disorders—are common in clinical settings and require integrated, evidence-based approaches (Doweiko, 2019). Maria’s presentation includes alcohol dependence and symptoms consistent with a major depressive disorder, compounded by hearing impairment that affects communication and engagement. Treating such a case effectively demands a plan that concurrently addresses addiction, mood symptoms, and barriers to care related to sensory impairment and cultural context. The goal of a 30-day plan is stabilization, engagement, symptom reduction, skill-building, and preparation for ongoing care with a focus on safety, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity (SMA, 2005). In crafting this plan, the integration of co-occurring-disorder frameworks is supported by foundational text and policy resources cited in the week’s readings (Coleman-Cowger, 2012; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2012).

Assessment, safety, and treatment goals

The initial phase centers on a comprehensive assessment that confirms alcohol dependence and depressive symptoms while evaluating potential risks (suicidality, self-harm, withdrawal complications). Communication needs must be accommodated through sign language interpretation, captioning, visual aids, and written materials. Safety planning should include ensuring a stable living environment, family involvement where appropriate, and consistent staff support. Treatment goals for the 30-day window include: (1) avoidance of alcohol with medically supervised withdrawal management if needed; (2) reduction in depressive symptoms and improved mood stability; (3) enhanced coping skills to manage triggers and cravings; (4) increased engagement in treatment activities; (5) development of a discharge plan with linkage to ongoing aftercare and community resources. These objectives align with best practices for co-occurring disorders and emphasize simultaneous treatment of both conditions (Doweiko, 2019; SMA, 2005).

Evidence-based components of the 30-day plan

The plan integrates several evidence-based components suitable for Maria’s profile: motivational interviewing (MI) to enhance readiness for change; cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focused on cognitive restructuring and coping skills; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) inspired skills for emotion regulation; psychoeducation about the relationship between mood and substance use; and integrated treatment principles that address both SUDs and mood symptoms (Doweiko, 2019; SMA, 2005). For the hearing-impaired client, materials should be visually accessible, and therapy modalities should be adapted to ensure full comprehension and participation. Inpatient stabilization may be necessary given current intoxication and distress, with gradual transition to a structured day program as clinically indicated (Doweiko, 2019; Coleman-Cowger, 2012).

30-day structure and sample week-by-week plan

Week 1: Stabilization and engagement. Focus on medical clearance, withdrawal risk management if needed, orientation to the program, and establishing trust. Provide accessible communication supports (ASL interpretation, captioned videos, written summaries). Initiate MI to explore readiness for change and address ambivalence about treatment. Begin mood assessment and safety monitoring; consider non-sedating pharmacologic options for depressive symptoms if clinically indicated and compatible with alcohol abstinence. Ground activities in psychoeducation about addiction, depression, and co-occurring disorders (Doweiko, 2019; SMA, 2005).

Week 2: Integrated treatment and skill-building. Introduce CBT/MI-based modules targeting cravings, triggers, and mood regulation. Implement emotion regulation strategies and distress tolerance skills drawn from DBT-informed approaches. Continue hearing-accessible therapy and ensure interpretation support remains consistent. Initiate family or social support sessions when appropriate and consented, emphasizing collaborative care and reducing stigma (Coleman-Cowger, 2012).

Week 3: Consolidation and relapse-prevention planning. Develop personalized coping plans, risk-reduction strategies, and contingency management approaches to reinforce abstinence and mood stability. Enhance social and community connections; identify barriers to care (transportation, childcare, financial constraints) and address them with case management. Begin planning for transition to outpatient or community-based services (NIDA, 2020; SMA, 2005).

Week 4: Discharge planning and aftercare. Finalize a comprehensive aftercare plan including outpatient therapy, medication management (if applicable), peer-support options, and resources for hearing-impaired clients. Schedule follow-up appointments and coordinate with primary care to monitor mood symptoms and potential alcohol-relapse risk. Ensure a clear, culturally sensitive plan that engages Maria’s family or trusted supports as appropriate to her context (Doweiko, 2019; Coleman-Cowger, 2012).

Practical considerations and risks

Given Maria’s depressive symptoms, it is important to assess for suicidality and ensure crisis resources are available. Benzodiazepines should be avoided during active withdrawal from alcohol due to seizure risk and potential interactions; pharmacotherapy for depression should be carefully considered with monitoring and in the context of alcohol abstinence. Accommodations for hearing impairment should be embedded in every intervention, including trained interpreters, written materials, and visual cues to support engagement. Culturally responsive care that respects Latina identity and family dynamics can improve treatment acceptance and adherence (Coleman-Cowger, 2012). The plan should align with policy and practice guidelines on co-occurring disorders (SMA, 2005).

Multidisciplinary collaboration and monitoring

A successful 30-day plan requires collaboration among a multidisciplinary team—physician, psychiatrist, counselor(s), nursing, case manager, and interpreter services. Regular team meetings, progress notes, and objective outcome measures (e.g., mood rating scales, craving scales, attendance, and participation) support continuous quality improvement. Periodic screening for safety, mood, sleep, nutrition, and physical health should guide adjustments. Integrated care models that treat addiction and mood disorders concurrently have demonstrated better outcomes in various settings (NIDA, 2020; SMA, 2005).

Ethical, cultural, and accessibility considerations

Respect for autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural humility are essential. For a hearing-impaired client, ensure accessibility across all services and respect language preferences. Involving Maria in decision-making and tailoring interventions to her cultural background can improve engagement and outcomes. Ethical practice also requires documenting the rationale for treatment choices, especially regarding pharmacotherapy and the use of interpreters or assistive technologies.

Conclusion

Maria’s case illustrates the necessity of an integrated, accessible, and culturally sensitive plan that concurrently targets alcohol dependence and depressive symptoms within a structured 30-day framework. By combining MI, CBT/DBT-informed skills, psychoeducation, and strong support systems within a hearing-impaired accessible format, the plan aims to stabilize mood, reduce alcohol use, and prepare Maria for continued care after discharge. The approach is grounded in established guidance on co-occurring disorders and special populations, as described in the course readings and foundational texts (Doweiko, 2019; Coleman-Cowger, 2012; SMA, 2005).

References

  • Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Chapter 19, Hidden Faces of Substance Use Disorders.
  • Coleman-Cowger, V. H. (2012). Mental health treatment need among pregnant and postpartum women/girls entering substance abuse treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26(2), 345–350.
  • Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2012). Older adult substance abuse treatment admissions have increased; number of special treatment programs for this population has decreased. Data Spotlight, SAMHSA.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders (DHHS Publication No. SMA). Retrieved from.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Comorbidity: Addiction and Mental Illness. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/comorbidity-addiction-mental-illness/
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2016). Co-occurring mental disorders and substance use disorders: A guide for clinicians.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013). TIP 42: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Co-Occurring Disorders.
  • Drake, R. E., Mueser, K. T., et al. (2004). Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry.
  • Mueser, K. T., et al. (2005). Integrated treatment for co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders: A randomized trial. Schizophrenia Bulletin.

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