Lasa 1—Gregory’s Treatment: People Who Abuse Substances

Lasa 1—Gregory’s Treatment People that abuse substances have individual

Lasa 1—Gregory’s Treatment People that abuse substances have individual reasons for what first drove them to begin using these substances in the first place. Some clients started using them through experimentation, peer pressure, or curiosity. However, many users began using substances as a way of dealing with other issues in their lives, such as depression, anxiety, weight loss, or other physical or mental disorders. In still other cases, mental and physical disorders may result in response to chronic substance abuse. In these cases, it is important to determine what the co-occurring disorder is, as well as the substance abuse problem, in order to determine the best course of treatment.

Read the following scenario and then respond to the questions that follow: You are a substance abuse counselor. Gregory, your new client, has come to you for help with his alcohol use problem. Gregory is married with three children and works as a sales representative for a large corporation in the city. In your first meeting with Gregory, you discover that his drinking began as a way to alleviate the anxiety he felt in social situations. Over time, Gregory began using alcohol more often.

He found that every time he used alcohol, his anxiety lifted and he was able to be more at ease during work, out with colleagues, and at other such public events. Over time, Gregory realized he needed more alcohol than before to get the same anxiety-relieving effects. Two weeks ago, one of Gregory’s coworkers became suspicious that Gregory was drinking at work. That same day, while Gregory was driving home from work, he was pulled over by the police. He passed the field sobriety test and the officer let him off with a warning.

These two events served as a wake-up call for Gregory as he realized his alcohol use may be beyond his control. Gregory has made an appointment with you because he sincerely wants to curtail his alcohol use. To help Gregory achieve his goals, write a paper that analyzes the components of his scenario. In your paper, ensure that you include the following information: Summarize the history and usefulness of the four major contemporary treatment modalities (crisis intervention, individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling). Evaluate Gregory’s dual diagnosis (also referred to as “co-occurring disorders”) and the implications for counseling.

Keep the following questions in mind: Describe the meaning of dual diagnosis and how it impacts counseling. Classify Gregory’s primary and secondary diagnoses. Analyze the implications in treating a secondary diagnosis. Evaluate the limitations for an alcohol and drug counselor when treating diagnoses other than those related to substance abuse. Describe the circumstances where the four treatment modalities might be useful in a dual diagnosis.

Recommend at least one treatment modality for Gregory and explain your recommendation using at least two scholarly references. Write a 4–5-page paper in Word format. Use scholarly resources, including your textbook, to support your ideas. Your paper must be in Word format and include a title page and reference page in addition to the 4-5-pages of content. Apply APA 6th edition standards to the format of the paper, and the citation of sources. Please be detailed oriented.

Paper For Above instruction

Lasa 1—Gregory’s Treatment People that abuse substances have individual

Substance abuse treatment involves various modalities, each tailored to address the unique needs of individuals struggling with addiction. The four major contemporary treatment modalities—crisis intervention, individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling—have evolved over time to provide comprehensive care for clients with substance use disorders. Understanding their history, usefulness, and applicability, especially in cases involving dual diagnosis, is crucial for effective intervention.

History and Usefulness of Treatment Modalities

The earliest form of crisis intervention emerged in the 1950s as a short-term, immediate response to acute psychological distress, focusing on stabilizing clients and preventing deterioration (James & Gilliland, 2017). It has proven particularly useful in situations such as overdose or acute emotional crises, providing rapid stabilization and initiating pathways to longer-term treatment.

Individual counseling, rooted in psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies, has a long-standing history dating back to the early 20th century. It offers personalized attention to clients, enabling the exploration of underlying issues leading to substance use (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). This modality supports behavioral change through techniques such as motivational interviewing and cognitive restructuring.

Group counseling became prominent in the 1950s with the advent of group therapy practices. It allows clients to share experiences, foster peer support, and develop social skills in a structured environment (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020). Its usefulness lies in providing mutual support and reducing feelings of isolation.

Family counseling, evolving from family systems therapy, emphasizes the role of familial dynamics in substance abuse—originating in the 1960s. It aims to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build a supportive environment for recovery (Nichols, 2013). Family involvement has been shown to increase the likelihood of sustained abstinence.

Evaluation of Gregory’s Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, refers to the simultaneous presence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (Galanter & Kleber, 2020). In Gregory’s case, his alcohol dependency appears to be driven by social anxiety, which suggests an underlying anxiety disorder co-occurring with his substance abuse.

The implications for counseling are significant, as treatments must be integrated to address both issues concurrently. Ignoring one disorder may undermine the progress in treating the other, leading to higher relapse rates (Mueser et al., 2015). For Gregory, understanding that his alcohol use may be a maladaptive coping mechanism for anxiety highlights the necessity of dual diagnosis treatment strategies.

Classifying Gregory’s Primary and Secondary Diagnoses

• Primary Diagnosis: Alcohol Use Disorder (Moderate to Severe) — Gregory’s condition involving problematic drinking and drug-related behaviors.
• Secondary Diagnosis: Anxiety Disorder (Social Anxiety Disorder) — Gregory’s initial motive for alcohol use, used to manage anxiety symptoms (APA, 2013).

Properly classifying these diagnoses informs targeted interventions, with the primary focus on reducing alcohol use while simultaneously addressing the underlying anxiety to prevent relapse.

Implications of Treating a Secondary Diagnosis

Addressing a secondary diagnosis like anxiety complicates treatment planning, as clinicians must balance medication management (if prescribed), psychotherapy, and behavioral interventions. Failing to identify and treat the secondary disorder can hinder recovery, as the underlying anxiety may continue to trigger alcohol cravings (Sullivan et al., 2012). Effective treatment requires an integrated approach that considers how these disorders influence each other.

Limitations for Alcohol and Drug Counselors

Counselors often face challenges when treating comorbidities beyond substance use issues, such as other mental health disorders. They may lack specialized training in mental health care, leading to limitations in diagnosing and managing complex dual diagnoses (McHugh et al., 2018). Additionally, systemic barriers such as insufficient resources and interdisciplinary collaboration can impede comprehensive treatment, necessitating referral to or collaboration with mental health professionals.

Application of Treatment Modalities in Dual Diagnosis

The four treatment modalities can be adapted to address dual diagnosis effectively. Crisis intervention can manage immediate risks, such as suicidal ideation or overdose. Individual counseling can focus on tailored psychotherapeutic approaches for both disorders. Group therapy offers peer support for managing mental health and substance use simultaneously, while family counseling improves the support system and enhances treatment adherence (Hoffmann et al., 2014).

For example, integrated dual diagnosis treatment programs often combine modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) within individual and group sessions, to address both disorders concurrently. Family involvement remains critical to rebuild supportive dynamics that facilitate sustained recovery.

Recommended Treatment Modality for Gregory

Based on Gregory’s profile and the co-occurring nature of his anxiety and alcohol use disorder, an integrated individual counseling approach utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended. CBT has strong empirical support in treating both anxiety disorders and substance use disorders (McHugh et al., 2018). It helps clients develop coping skills to manage anxiety without reliance on alcohol, addresses maladaptive thought patterns, and builds resilience.

Research by Najavits (2002) demonstrates that integrated CBT significantly reduces relapse rates and improves emotional regulation in clients with dual diagnosis. Furthermore, combining this modality with motivational interviewing can enhance Gregory’s motivation and commitment to change, promoting sustained abstinence.

Conclusion

Effective treatment of substance use disorders requires an understanding of various modalities and their appropriateness in different contexts. Gregory’s case exemplifies the need for integrated approaches that address both his alcohol dependency and underlying anxiety. Tailoring treatment plans to dual diagnosis complexities increases chances of successful recovery and long-term stability.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
• Galavanter, S., & Kleber, H. D. (2020). Dual Diagnosis Treatment: The Importance of Integrated Care. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 112, 73-80.
• Hoffmann, N. G., & Wampold, B. E. (2014). The Role of Empathy and Relationship in Counseling. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 27(4), 289-304.
• James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis Intervention Strategies. Brooks/Cole.
• McHugh, R. K., et al. (2018). Treating Dual Disorders: Evidence-based Approaches. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 79(4), 441-448.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press.
• Mueser, K. T., et al. (2015). Co-occurring Disorders. Guilford Press.
• Nichols, M. P. (2013). Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods. Pearson.
• Najavits, L. (2002). Treating Trauma and Comorbid Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(8), 1290-1300.
• Sullivan, M. A., et al. (2012). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 9(3), 542-557.
• Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. Basic Books.