Substance Abuse Counselor Interview

Co-occurring disorders are common with most client cases that are presenting with a substance use disorder. Rosa is presenting with a history of several suicide attempts, alcohol use disorder, Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The client’s most severe symptoms are anger, fear, and shame. It is these symptoms that are complicating her life, causing distress, and self harming behaviors. Additionally, her treatment history is limited since she does not finish her therapy sessions.

D: Client was on time for intake appointment. Together, discussed the assessment recommendation and barriers to successful treatment outcomes. Client reviewed and signed of all treatment admission paperwork, including treatment agreement, ROIs, THS treatment policies, THS alcohol drug Services patient rights, THS patient responsibilities, THS health and safety information, THS counselor disclosure information, patient grievance procedures, THS HIV/AIDS information, THS notice of privacy practices, referral to Quit smoking, and marijuana policy. Treatment plan was developed, which was focused on Dim 4, 5, and 6; focusing on developing readiness to change, identifying relapse potential, and building a strong family and social support system.

Addiction has been found to be multifaceted, and most agree that recovery must focus on the many “underlying” psychological, emotional, physical, spiritual and social issues that cause drug and alcohol abuse. Solomon’s book attempts to present why traditional treatment does not work and to provide resources for alternative methods. Some of the alternatives focus on specific aspects of recovery, while others address numerous factors tailored to fit an individual’s needs. People struggling to succeed in AA or other 12-step programs will find the information in this book

Final Project Assessment and Intervention: Dan Dunne from Half Nelson The diversity and scope of individuals’ experiences with addiction is infinite; addiction targets all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. Addiction itself manifests in a variety of contexts in a person’s life, including inter- and intrapersonal function, employment, social, and environment, and observable changes can offer clues and insights into progression, severity, and levels of needed treatment (Wahler & Otis, 2014). To properly aid in the treatment and recovery of individuals with substance use disorders, counselors must employ a variety of effective tools and insights, to effectively align an individual’s addiction with a complete diagnostic

As previously mentioned above, Narcotics Anonymous is a support group where individuals who are addicted to drug using can go into recovery with the help of others to cleanse themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally from drugs. The support group accepts individuals who are looking to stop their use of any illegal drugs, substance use, and alcohol consumption. An individual(s) with a problem with alcohol and substance use is viewed as an illness, based on the severity of use, and its affects it does to an individual. Alcohol and substance use can start at any age from adolescent to older adult age. An onset of alcohol and substance use can be known when/if there is an indication of it from an individual’s family history, and/or family

For the last six years, I have been working in the substance abuse industry in both inpatient and outpatient settings. It would be fair to say that most people that are in need of substance abuse treatment have a co-occurring disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety. These people are diagnosed by a psychiatrist or medical doctor and are typically given medication to help the patient. However, the problem can be that if a person sees a psychiatrist and is not honest about their substance abuse history the mental diagnosis can be deceiving.

The study was done on patients who were in the emergency department and were prescribed opioids. They interviewed patients at home. It consisted of two different interviews. The research assistant looked to see where the opioids were being stored and to see if they were being safely stored. Twenty five patients gave consent to be part of the study.

For this assignment, I was required to conduct an interview with a professional who has received his or her education and training as a counselor (LPC, LCAS, CRC). The individual I interviewed is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who works at the mental health and substance abuse clinic. The interview included questions about her education, training, current position, her functions, duties and responsibilities, the services this place offers, the clinical issues she deals with, and the interventions she provides in her work settings. Additionally, I inquired about her working relationships with other professionals employed at the clinic. The next step involved summarizing the information

The counselor I plan to interview for my final project is Ms. T, a Mental health counselor in Virginia. Relevant Information Ms. T Is a Licensed Professional counselor, with a Master’s degree in Arts. Specialties in which Ms. T treats includes: Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety, Marital and Premarital issues. In addition to her specialties, she also treats addiction, Borderline personality, Codependency, Coping skills, depression, divorce, sexual abuse suicidal ideation and Women’s issues (smith,2015n.d.). Ms. T also counsels adolescents from ages 14 to 19 and adults.

I am currently working for the drug and alcohol service Blenheim CDP, as part of the Insight team, volunteering in a multicultural and busy area of London. I work independently and as a team to support individuals and their families with issues caused by substance misuse. I provide screening, assessments, risk assessments; implementing, monitoring and reviewing SMART care plans. I build therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries with clients to deliver tailor-made packages of care using a strengths-based approach. I create supportive solutions by listening to their needs and looking further than their health requirements, working holistically to assist them with wider issues, such as employment, mental health and housing.

Most leaders within our agency were either counselors at some point or they have Rehabilitation Counseling degrees. I believe in being knowledgeable in all aspects of our operations, especially in the broadest service provided by our agency, rehab counseling. This program is the first step in securing a future within the agency. While I love my current role, I look forward to continuing with the progress that I have made within the agency. I look to gain knowledge and first-hand experience of being a counselor so that I can apply what I learn to agency programs.

This is due to my own personal experiences with family members and childhood friends who suffer from drug addiction. While my experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the pain and challenges faced by individuals battling addiction, they can also potentially cloud my judgment and create biases. Drugs and alcohol impact the way neurons in the brain send and receive messages through neurotransmitters, which leads to abnormal communications (Lauren Villa, 2019). It is crucial to remain impartial and not let personal experiences interfere with the counseling process. To overcome this challenge, I will need to engage in self-reflection, seek supervision, and continuously work on separating my personal experiences from my professional role.

1) Why do I want to bring people together? I would like to bring people in my community together as an effort to combat substance abuse. Substance abuse has been an ongoing issue in my community and unfortunately is on the rise. 2) Who should be represented?

Like other professions in the mental health field and helping professions, counseling typically attracts those who are imbued with a need to help others, to make a difference in others’ lives, the community around them and sometimes even the world. There are many facets to a counselor and to counseling, some of which take on personal attributes such as personality, the values and beliefs held by counselors, and what they perceive their role in the counseling profession to be. Other facets involve ethical considerations in therapy, the importance of the profession, the value and process of change, important counseling practices and the value of necessary self-care a counselor ought to engage in. The role of a counselor is to act as a conduit to change and wellbeing in a client.

Ms. Smith inform the counselor that the majority of her stress comes from her boss in which she describes as “very stressful” and since she started the job, the boss has been on her case since then and it makes her depressed. She reports having a difficult time standing up for herself with her boss at work since she is constant stressor. She also reports consuming more alcohol and using crack daily. Client stated to staff that she needs to get her life together and support her daughter before her ex-husband take full custody of her daughter, Crystal. The client referred herself for substance abuse counseling and treatment session at an outpatient chemical dependency clinic.