Scenario 2: Trevor Is A Homeless Vietnam Veteran ✓ Solved

Scenario 2: Trevor Is A Homeless Vietnam Veteran He Has Been Living On

Trevor is a homeless Vietnam veteran who has been living on the streets for 28 years. His wife and three children left him two years after he returned home from Vietnam due to his heroin addiction, which began during his military service. Trevor often walks the street with a cardboard sign requesting assistance as a veteran. His appearance and situation often go unnoticed by passersby. He sustains his drug habit through small earnings or theft. Recently, he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. His daughter attended his arraignment and pleaded with the court to send him to treatment and provide leniency, citing his veteran status and PTSD. The judge agreed and sentenced him to treatment at the Veterans Hospital. During a first meeting with Trevor and his daughter, Trevor remarks, “I used to drown it out. I can’t stop it. Can you? Can you tell me where to go to make it stop?”

Sample Paper For Above instruction

As a social worker engaging with Trevor and his daughter, my primary goal would be to approach the situation with compassion, professionalism, and a focus on holistic recovery. Understanding Trevor’s complex history as a Vietnam veteran with PTSD and substance use disorder requires a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes his dignity and addresses the underlying issues contributing to his homelessness and addiction.

Building Trust and Establishing Rapport

The initial step involves establishing a trusting relationship with Trevor and his daughter. Given Trevor’s apparent despair, acknowledging his pain and experiences without judgment is critical. Using active listening, empathetic communication, and validating his feelings can help foster a safe environment where Trevor feels heard and respected. Demonstrating genuine concern for his well-being encourages openness to intervention approaches (Dick, 2014).

Assessment and Understanding of Needs

Comprehensive assessment is essential, encompassing mental health, substance use, trauma history, veteran status, social support, and housing stability. Utilizing evidence-based tools such as the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) can inform tailored treatment plans (Rubin, Weiss, & Coll, 2013). Recognizing that Trevor’s homelessness is intertwined with substance dependency and untreated PTSD underscores the complexity of his needs.

Connecting to Veteran-Specific Resources

Given Trevor’s military background, referral to veteran-specific services is paramount. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers specialized programs for homeless veterans, including comprehensive case management, medical and mental health services, and substance use treatment (Shen, Arkes, & Williams, 2012). The VA's Outreach and Housing programs have successfully assisted veterans experiencing homelessness by providing transitional and permanent housing coupled with supportive services. Engaging Trevor with these resources necessitates advocating for priority access and culturally competent care (Williamson, 2012).

Addressing Substance Use and PTSD

Trevor’s heroin addiction and PTSD are interconnected issues that require integrated treatment modalities. Evidence-based interventions such as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including methadone or buprenorphine, combined with counseling, have demonstrated efficacy in treating opioid dependence among veterans (Dick, 2014). Concurrently, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective approaches to managing PTSD symptoms (Rubin, Weiss, & Coll, 2013). Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams ensures holistic care addressing both addiction and trauma simultaneously.

Harm Reduction and Social Support

In respecting Trevor’s autonomy and current readiness for change, employing harm reduction strategies is appropriate. Providing education on safer use, distributing naloxone kits to prevent overdose, and connecting Trevor with peer support groups like Veterans Treatment Court or community-based recovery programs can promote safety and incremental progress (Foran et al., 2012). Encouraging family involvement, as with his daughter, can generate emotional support essential for recovery (Williamson, 2012).

Addressing Barriers and Developing a Recovery Plan

Barriers such as chronic homelessness, stigma, and mental health challenges need to be addressed through coordinated services. Developing an individualized recovery plan involves setting realistic goals, securing stable housing, facilitating access to healthcare, and ongoing counseling. Engaging Trevor in decision-making promotes empowerment and adherence to treatment (Rubin, Weiss, & Coll, 2013).

Follow-up and Advocacy

Consistent follow-up is critical to monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed. Advocacy efforts should focus on securing resources, reducing systemic barriers, and promoting veteran-specific policy reforms to improve service delivery (Dick, 2014). Collaboration with community agencies, VA services, and mental health providers ensures continuity of care and recovery sustainability.

Conclusion

Intervening in Trevor’s situation requires a trauma-informed, culturally competent, and multidisciplinary approach that prioritizes his dignity, recovery, and reintegration into society. By leveraging veteran resources, evidence-based interventions, harm reduction strategies, and social support, social workers can assist Trevor in overcoming his challenges, ultimately enhancing his quality of life and well-being.

References

• Dick, G. (2014). Social work practice with veterans. Washington, D.C.: NASW Press.
• Rubin, A., Weiss, E. L., & Coll, J. E. (2013). Handbook of military social work. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
• Shen, Y., Arkes, J., & Williams, T. V. (2012). Effects of Iraq/Afghanistan deployments on major depression and substance use disorder: Analysis of active duty personnel in the US military. American Journal of Public Health, 102(Suppl. 1), 80–87.
• Williamson, E. (2012). Domestic abuse and military families: The problem of reintegration and control. British Journal of Social Work, 42(7), 1371–1387.
• Foran, H. M., Heyman, R. E., Slep, A. S., & Snarr, J. D. (2012). Hazardous alcohol use and intimate partner violence in the military: Understanding protective factors. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26(3).