Review of the Case
The subject of the case study is Susan Olin, a White woman in New York City who is 58 years old. She used drugs in the past, and she is currently working on becoming well. She clarified that she was open to being interviewed to support other senior citizens who were struggling with drug addiction. The interview provides insight into her family history, issues with addiction, and obstacles she experiences, such as homelessness. By her early 40’s, she was homeless and has been essentially homeless ever since.
Olin’s substance addiction history commenced with the use of cocaine and heroin, progressing toward the misuse of more legally accessible drugs like Valium and Vicodin. Her engagement in drug abuse significantly disrupted her life. She caught Hepatitis C, which is now one of her many severe health issues right now. Ms. Olin struggled to stay clean despite extensive efforts in detox and drug rehab. She was neatly dressed and soft-spoken but appeared drawn and older than her stated age.
Strengths and Needs of the Client
Strengths
One of the client’s strengths can be seen in her willingness to share her story. Ms. Olin’s willingness to share her experiences indicates self-awareness and a desire to help others facing similar challenges. Self-awareness empowers individuals to shape outcomes, enhances decision-making, boosts self-confidence, and facilitates clear and intentional communication (McCarty et al., 2021). It permits a person to comprehend situations from various perspectives, liberating them from assumptions and biases, something that has aided Ms. Olin in deciding to stop abusing drugs despite the environment she was living in.
Another strength of this client is her engagement in treatment. Her enrollment in a methadone outpatient program at a major medical center suggests a commitment to her recovery. Methadone is an opioid medication employed for alleviating intense pain and managing addiction. In cases of severe pain management, methadone is presented in tablet or oral solution formats (McCarty et al., 2021). For addressing substance addiction, methadone is typically administered as a fruit-flavored beverage, and the powdered form is dissolved and consumed orally once daily. MS. Olin is taking this medication to help her recover from her addiction to substance abuse.
Utilizing supportive services is another strength observed in the client. Ms. Olin actively engages in support services at the senior center, attending the 12-step AA and NA meetings to aid her recovery. These initiatives simplify the opportunity for individuals in recovery to engage in activities and social interactions devoid of alcohol or drugs (McCarty et al., 2021). They adopt a chronic care management approach for severe substance use disorders, enhancing conditions through the implementation of recovery coaching.
Needs
Ms. Olin’s living situation is unstable, which contributes to the challenges in her recovery. She requires secure and stable housing to create a conducive environment for her rehabilitation. Sober living homes offer a nurturing environment for residents to recover and be sheltered from the demands of daily life. A key advantage of these homes is their ability to reduce the risk of relapse by removing any presence of alcohol and other drugs as society tends to normalize substance use.
Ms. Olin needs ongoing psychotherapy, case management, and medical support to address her substance abuse and overall well-being while engaged in a methadone program. Psychotherapy proves to be a beneficial treatment choice for individuals dealing with addiction as it assists them in identifying the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with their substance use (Buka, 2020).
Additionally, it aids in the management of intense emotions, such as stress, which can act as triggers for substance use. The strained relationship with her daughter remains a source of emotional distress. There is a need for support in rebuilding connections with her family. A therapist can assist the daughter in gaining a better understanding of her mother and collaborate on resolving any issues that may have led to their estrangement. They will also impart coping skills and other tools to help them maintain a healthy and connected relationship.
Bio-Psycho-Social Factors
Concerning biological factors, Ms. Olin’s family history of substance abuse, including both parents, may have contributed to a genetic predisposition for addiction. Providing a precise genetic explanation for individual variations can be challenging, but various lines of research indicate that genes play a role in influencing substance use (Wang et al., 2019). Scientists have shown that between 40 and 60 percent of an individual’s risk is inherited (Wang et al., 2019).
The deaths of her siblings, apparently due to drug overdoses, also added a traumatic dimension to her life. In certain instances, the loss of a sibling, especially if the sibling’s death was traumatic, can result in traumatic grief for the surviving children (Wang et al., 2019). This is an actual situation that might have happened to Olin as she lost her two siblings.
Ms. Olin’s beginning and continued substance misuse as a way of self-medication and escape was probably psychologically influenced by her struggle to cope with the death of her daughter and the strained connections in her family. Substance addiction affects a family’s emotional, psychological, economic, and social factors in addition to all other aspects (Wang et al., 2019). A parent’s obsession with drug or alcohol usage can lead to abuse or neglect in the family (Wang et al., 2019).
This may have caused Ms. Olin and her daughter’s relationship to fall apart. Homelessness, lack of stable housing, and exposure to a “drug-infested” environment significantly contributed to the social challenges in Ms. Olin’s recovery. People who experience social isolation are more likely to experience depression, which raises the risk of substance (Wang et al., 2019). There is a close association between social withdrawal and addiction, something that has affected Olin for a long time.
Oppression and Discrimination
Ms. Olin is in a vulnerable situation where prejudice, stigma, and discrimination toward people who struggle with drug abuse disorders could make her problems worse due to her history of homelessness and addiction. Homeless people may experience abuse, exploitation, neglect, or even violence (Wang et al., 2019). These challenges further erect barriers to securing stable housing and employment, exacerbating mental health issues. Systemic problems like restricted access to housing and work prospects further exacerbate her underprivileged status.
Ethical Issues
It is critical to respect Ms. Olin’s right to privacy, particularly in light of her history of substance misuse and problematic family dynamics. Upholding confidentiality is crucial as it prevents the improper use of confidential information for illegal or immoral purposes. It safeguards one’s reputation; sometimes, employment may center on maintaining confidentiality. It is imperative to safeguard Ms. Olin’s autonomy in making decisions about her treatment plan, which includes her involvement in the methadone program.
Nurses must guarantee their ability to safely and competently administer medication while also being capable of handling the potential outcomes associated with its administration while giving the client the right to divide her medication (Buka, 2020). Another ethical issue is justice, whereby advocating for fair and equal treatment, free from discrimination, aligns with the moral principle of justice. Individuals should receive equal treatment unless there are pertinent differences in their characteristics relevant to the specific situation in which they are engaged.
Policy and Service Issues
The policy or service issues that impact Ms. Olin are housing and treatment access policies. The problems obtaining stable housing and the expiration of Ms. Olin’s Section 8 voucher draw attention to structural problems with housing policies. It is imperative to advocate for housing services that are more accessible and supportive (Cairney, 2019). Policy issues of critical importance significantly impact the challenges and potential resolutions associated with these issues affecting Ms. Olin. Rejecting someone from a detox program while continuing to use drugs indicates problems with the evaluation standards. Anyone quitting substance addiction must advocate for more inclusive and thorough criteria for treatment availability.
Advocacy Based on Issues
Advocacy for access to the house is the first thing to consider when addressing Ms. Olin’s problems. It can be accomplished by eliminating prejudice against those with a history of substance misuse in housing applications and advocating for more accessible housing options. Advocacy for treatment access is another matter to consider (Cairney, 2019). It can be accomplished by working together with treatment centers to evaluate and enhance admission standards, making sure they meet the various requirements of people struggling with drug misuse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Susan Olin case study clarifies the nuances of addiction, homelessness, and the interrelated bio-psycho-social elements affecting a person’s path to recovery. The bio-psycho-social factors influencing Ms. Olin’s circumstances highlight the significance of having a thorough awareness of a person’s past. The difficulties associated with social exclusion and being in a drug-filled environment highlight how important it is to treat both the addiction itself and the more significant social variables that affect recovery. Advocacy efforts are necessary to promote more inclusive and supportive solutions to policy and service challenges about housing and treatment access. For those battling the complexity of substance misuse and its related issues, there is hope for better outcomes and increased well-being through teamwork and a patient-centered approach.
References
Buka, P. (2020). Essential law and ethics in nursing: Patients, rights and decision-making. Routledge.
Cairney, P. (2019). Understanding public policy: Theories and issues (vol. 2). Bloomsbury Publishing.
McCarty, D., Bougatsos, C., Chan, B., Hoffman, K. A., Priest, K. C., Grusing, S., & Chou, R. (2021). Office-based methadone treatment for opioid use disorder and pharmacy dispensing: A scoping review. American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(9), 804-817. Web.
Wang, S. C., Chen, Y. C., Lee, C. H., & Cheng, C. M. (2019). Opioid addiction, genetic susceptibility, and medical treatments: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(17), 4294. Web.