Discussions and Assignments

CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY ELECTIVE – SPECIAL TOPICS

UNIT 1 DISCUSSION

Within the Discussion Board area, write 3-4 paragraphs that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Some professionals believe addictions are hereditary, others claim that addictions are learned behaviors, and some believe people outgrow their addictions as they mature. Still others claim that addictions are a disease and cannot be cured, only managed. What do you believe with regard to theories of addiction? Explain why you feel that way. In explaining your rationale, identify one current issue related to addictions that supports your stance on addiction.

UNIT 1 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

The director of the new adult community chemical addictions rehab center has asked you to research 2 current models of addiction to use in the center. These models of addiction could be based on, but are not limited to: the disease (born this way), cognitive and behavioral, or psychoanalytic (rage-induced) models of addiction.

The director would like you to take the lead at the next planning meeting to propose to the group the 2 models that you have selected. Include the following in a paper of 1–2 pages:

• Explain each of the models that you have selected. Provide a detailed overview of each model.
• Detail how each model can be used to address a current issue related to addictions.
• Provide a rationale for why it will be beneficial to use each model in the center. Give a minimum of 2 advantages for each model.
• Consider any potential disadvantages of each model that you chose.

FOUNDATION OF GROUP COUNSELING

UNIT 1 DISCUSSION

THIS DISCUSSION SHOULD BE A TOTAL OF 400-600 WORDS

At the community mental health center you are assigned to counsel an adult client who has Bipolar Disorder. He is a 48-year-old who also has addiction issues. He is starting to decompensate and beginning to go into a manic phase of his illness. He sleeps less than 2-3 hours per night, engages in risky sexual behaviors, and decreased self-care. He states that he is starting to have auditory hallucinations consistent with Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features. He also reports that he has started using drugs again to calm himself down because he couldn’t afford the psychotropic medication due to losing his job and insurance 3 months ago. He further tells you that years ago he managed his symptoms the best when he was in group therapy but could not remember the type of group he was in.

After referring this client to the psychiatrist for an urgent medication evaluation due to decompensation, bring this case to the next staff meeting to discuss with the team, explaining your initial counseling plan, initial concerns, and back up plans for this patient. Include a 1-3 sentence response to all of the following:

• 1-2 initial concerns for this patient
• 1 initial goal and objective to plan for this patient
• 1 goal and objective as a back-up plan for this patient
• Include 1-3 sentence responses to all of the following:

Which 1 of the following group therapies would you start with to assist this client most effectively?

• Dual Diagnosis Group
• Psycho-educational Groups
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Give 1-2 reasons why you would utilize your chosen group.
  • Provide a description of at least 2 benefits and 1 drawback that therapy provides

UNIT 1 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

THIS REPORT SHOULD BE A TOTAL OF 5-6 PAGES

You are working in a community mental health center with a high number of clients with substance abuse disorders. The director is going to a conference and would like you to put together information describing the group therapy that is available at the center, including information and support from resources acknowledged as credible in the industry to support the type of groups you support.

Your director asks you to do the following:

• Explain 2-3 methods that are effective for group therapy in the community mental health center.
• Research 2-3 theories that support your selected methods.
• Include at least 3 reasons why this type of therapy benefits the clients.
• Include an overview of the skills the clients learn in order to help them decrease their incidence of self-harm.
• Cite your sources using APA style and include a reference slide at the end.