Week 9 Personal And Professional Policies, Processes, And Re

Week 9 Personal And Professional Policies Processes And Resourcesco

Week 9: Personal and Professional Policies, Processes, and Resources Community resources like Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are important tools in addressing addiction. There are also many other important resources available other than 12-step support groups, but their existence is often dependent on public support, funding, and regulatory policies. Legislation that supports the funding of community resources to address addiction can make all the difference in providing support for people with problems with addiction in their work toward recovery. Learning Objectives Students will: · Evaluate social change legislation · Analyze interaction between social change legislation and professional codes of ethics · Analyze social change implications for helping professionals · Apply individual and community resources related to addiction recovery · Evaluate 12-step programs for addiction recovery

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage. · Chapter 27, "The Substance Use Disorders As a Disease of the Human Spirit" (pp. ) · Chapter 35, "Support Groups to Promote and Sustain Recovery" (pp. ) · Chapter 38, "The Debate Over Legalization" (pp. )

Required Media Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2012). The twelve steps and twelve traditions online. Retrieved from Note: The content of this, "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions", site can be viewed in a simple non-interactive format or in an interactive format. To view the content in an interactive format install the plugin as directed on the website.

Discussion: Social Change Through Legislation

The repercussions of addiction are among the most pressing health and social issues worldwide. Although billions of dollars are spent annually in the United States attacking the problem, public policies on funding have yet to be agreed upon and remain controversial. The controversy revolves around which public policies best deter addiction: those that criminalize acts associated with the disorder or those that treat the disorder (Doweiko, 2019).

Given the ever-changing nature of legislation, it is important to stay informed about the most current reforms and public policies that may promote social changes in addiction treatment. For this Discussion, search the Internet and select current legislation as it relates to reform and social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction. Your search may include the following types of legislation: legislation targeting the criminal aspects of drug abuse, legislation targeting prevention of drug abuse from an early age, legislation promoting harm-reduction efforts, and legislation targeting treatment of substance abuse. Consider how federal and Ohio legislation has addressed addiction treatment and prevention.

Research, review, and reflect on your professional code of ethics and how social legislation impacts an addiction professional's ability to adhere to the code. Provide a 400-word Discussion Post providing the following content: · A description of which type of legislation might be the most effective in bringing about lasting social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction and explain why. · Explain how social change legislation might support or undermine the professional code of ethics. · Finally, explain the potential implications for a helping professional. · Support your response using this week’s resources and the current literature.

Paper For Above instruction

Addressing addiction through effective legislation is paramount for fostering sustainable social change and improving treatment and prevention strategies. Among various legislative approaches, harm reduction policies stand out as particularly effective in transforming the landscape of addiction treatment. Harm reduction legislation focuses on minimizing the adverse health, social, and economic consequences associated with drug use, rather than solely pursuing abstinence-based models. This pragmatic approach recognizes the complex nature of addiction, emphasizing compassion, accessibility, and ongoing support, which aligns with contemporary understandings of addiction as a chronic disease (Doweiko, 2019).

Harm reduction strategies encompass measures such as needle exchange programs, supervised consumption sites, and distribution of naloxone to prevent overdose deaths. These policies facilitate immediate safety and connect individuals to additional treatment services, offering a pathway to recovery without the stigmatization often associated with criminalized drug use. Their effectiveness is supported by empirical evidence demonstrating reductions in overdose fatalities and transmission of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 2019). By prioritizing health and safety, harm reduction legislation can serve as a catalyst for social change, shifting public perceptions from punishment to supportive care, which encourages more individuals to seek help.

Legislation grounded in harm reduction can support the ethical principles outlined in professional codes of conduct, particularly respect for autonomy, beneficence, and social justice. By providing nonjudgmental access to health services, these policies uphold the dignity of individuals with substance use disorders. However, such legislation can also face opposition rooted in moral or ideological objections, potentially undermining the ethical obligation of professionals to promote well-being and equitable care (American Psychological Association, 2017). Therefore, clinicians must navigate these legislative shifts carefully, balancing legal mandates with their ethical commitments to client welfare and confidentiality.

The implications for helping professionals are profound. They must stay informed about evolving legal frameworks and advocate for policies that align with ethical standards. They may also experience conflicts when legislation impedes access to treatment or clashes with their professional values. Moreover, professionals should foster community education to bolster understanding and acceptance of harm reduction policies, which can mitigate stigma and facilitate engagement with marginalized populations. Ultimately, well-crafted social legislation can empower professionals to deliver ethically sound and effective interventions, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable recovery.

In conclusion, harm reduction legislation represents a potent strategy for achieving lasting social change in addiction treatment and prevention. It supports ethical practice by promoting dignity, safety, and equitable access, while also challenging professionals to adapt and advocate within complex legal contexts. By embracing evidence-based policies, helping professionals can significantly influence the trajectory of addiction recovery and public health outcomes, contributing to a more compassionate and just society.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
  • Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2019). Harm reduction: Evidence and practice. https://ccsa.ca/harm-reduction
  • Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Cengage.
  • Global Commission on Drug Policy. (2018). The opioid crisis: A state of emergency. https://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/reports/opioids-and-public-health
  • International Harm Reduction Association. (2019). Understanding harm reduction. https://www.hri.global/what-is-harm-reduction
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (Third edition). https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral health treatment services. https://www.samhsa.gov/treatment
  • World Health Organization. (2018). Confronting the opioid crisis: Policy responses. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240013640
  • Young, S. D., & Havens, J. R. (2019). Stigma, discrimination, and drug use: Implications for treatment and public policy. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 98, 30–37.
  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. The National Academies Press.

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