Week 8: Addictions And Co-Occurring Disorders For A Client ✓ Solved

Week 8 Addictions And Co Occurring Disordersfor A Client To Present W

Analyze co-occurring disorders in addiction treatment, focusing on how these disorders influence treatment efforts, present challenges, and how strategies can address these challenges. Explore the symptoms of co-occurring disorders, their impact on addiction symptoms, and how individual addictions affect society.

Provide specific examples of how symptoms of co-occurring disorders may influence efforts to stop substance abuse, describe how substance abuse or addictive behaviors can temporarily counteract co-occurring disorder symptoms, and explain how the development of rituals related to substance use or addiction can be used to either strengthen or treat addiction. Also, discuss why the type of substance or obsession is relevant when considering the disease of addiction, and give three examples of how an individual's addiction might impact others or society.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding the complexity of addiction requires recognizing the significant role co-occurring disorders play in both its development and treatment. Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnoses, refer to the presence of a mental health disorder alongside an addiction. The interplay between these conditions complicates recovery but also offers opportunities for more tailored and effective treatment strategies (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). This paper explores how co-occurring disorders influence addiction treatment efforts, the challenges they pose, and ways to address those challenges, supported by current literature and examples.

Impact of Co-occurring Disorders on Treatment Efforts

One prominent example of how co-occurring disorders influence treatment is the presence of bipolar disorder alongside substance use. Symptoms such as impulsivity, mood swings, and emotional instability can impair an individual’s ability to maintain abstinence. For instance, during manic episodes, individuals may engage in risky behaviors, including substance use, to cope with or express their mood states (Kessler et al., 2006). When bipolar disorder is unrecognized or untreated, efforts to curb substance abuse often fail, as the underlying mood disorder serves as a trigger for relapse.

Another example involves depression and alcohol use. Feelings of hopelessness and despair characteristic of depression can drive an individual to use alcohol as a form of self-medication. However, the temporary relief provided by alcohol often exacerbates depressive symptoms, creating a vicious cycle (Girardi et al., 2010). Failure to identify and treat depression alongside substance abuse thus hampers recovery efforts, reinforcing the importance of accurate diagnosis and integrated treatment approaches.

Symptoms and Temporary Counteraction of Disorder Symptoms

Co-occurring mental health symptoms often influence each other dynamically. For example, anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can lead individuals to seek relief through substances like benzodiazepines, which temporarily reduce anxiety symptoms (Hoge et al., 2016). Conversely, substance use may temporarily alleviate symptoms such as agitation or insomnia related to the mental disorder, resulting in a perceived benefit that perpetuates the cycle of addiction. However, this temporary relief ultimately worsens the overall condition, highlighting the importance of comprehensive treatment targeting both disorders concurrently.

Rituals and Their Role in Strengthening or Treating Addiction

Ritualistic behaviors associated with addiction—such as specific routines or symbolic acts—serve to reinforce the habit by providing a sense of control or comfort (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). For example, individuals may develop rituals around drug use or compulsive behaviors that become central to their identity, thereby strengthening the addiction. Conversely, rituals can also be incorporated into treatment, such as daily mindfulness or recovery meetings, to promote healthy routines and reinforce sobriety. The development of new rituals in recovery can help replace old, destructive habits and foster resilience against relapse.

The Relevancy of Substance Type in the Disease of Addiction

The type of substance or obsession holds significance because different substances or behaviors impact neurological pathways and behavioral patterns differently. For example, opioids directly affect the brain's reward system, leading to intense physical dependence, whereas behavioral addictions like gambling primarily impact impulse control mechanisms (Leeman et al., 2019). Recognizing these differences influences treatment planning, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence or cognitive-behavioral therapy for behavioral addictions. The nature of the obsession also determines the severity and duration of the addiction, influencing prognosis and intervention strategies.

Impact of Addiction on Others and Society

1. Family Dynamics: Addiction can cause significant distress within families, including emotional trauma, financial hardship, and breakdown of relationships. Children of addicted parents are particularly vulnerable to neglect, abuse, and developmental issues (Hussong et al., 2017).
2. Public Safety: Individuals with untreated addiction, especially involving substances like alcohol or stimulants, may engage in impaired driving or other risky behaviors, increasing rates of accidents and fatalities (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018).
3. Economic Costs: Addiction contributes to substantial societal costs through healthcare expenses, criminal justice involvement, and lost productivity. The burden on healthcare systems and law enforcement agencies highlights the broad societal impact (Bachman et al., 2019).

Conclusion

In conclusion, co-occurring disorders complicate addiction treatment but also emphasize the need for integrated, comprehensive approaches. Recognizing how symptoms influence behaviors, developing supportive rituals, and understanding the significance of different substances or obsessive behaviors are crucial in addressing addiction’s multifaceted nature. Additionally, the profound impacts on individuals' families and society underscore the importance of effective intervention and prevention strategies.

References

• Bachman, R., et al. (2019). Economic and social costs of substance abuse. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 101, 75–82.
• Girardi, A., et al. (2010). Depression and substance use: A clinical review. Psychiatry Research, 185(3), 283-290.
• Hoge, C. W., et al. (2016). Anxiety and substance use disorders: Epidemiology and clinical implications. Depression and Anxiety, 33(8), 654-665.
• Hussong, A. M., et al. (2017). Family influence and adolescent substance use. Addictive Behaviors, 66, 94-100.
• Kessler, R. C., et al. (2006). The epidemiology of bipolar disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 60(4), 333-345.
• Leeman, R. F., et al. (2019). Behavioral and pharmacological treatments for addictive behaviors. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 353-376.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide. NIDA.
• Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2016). Foundations of addictions counseling (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.
• Recovery Connection. (n.d.). Addiction as a neurological disorder. Retrieved from [URL]
• Girardi, A., et al. (2010). Depression and substance use: A clinical review. Psychiatry Research, 185(3), 283-290.