Drug and Alcohol Problems: Investigations
Alcohol and drug problems affect the lives of many people in different communities. These problems tend to disorient the outcomes of family members and drug abusers. In the recent past, new ideas have emerged in an attempt to support the needs of many addicts while at the same time taking care of different family members (Choate, 2015). The biggest question facing many human services and social work professionals is how to deal with the issues surrounding various alcohol and drug problems.
If it is known for sure that alcohol and drug problems in families are associated with child maltreatment, the biggest concern occurs when planning to have an investigation. Choate (2015) argues that the occurrence of abuses in a given family can compel individuals to seek drug counseling. However, it would be inappropriate to have an investigation after a specific drug addict looking for counseling services. This is the case because many people seeking any form of counseling might not have been engaged in domestic violence.
The best time to launch such investigations is when a family member is arrested after committing a drug related crime or offense. This is the case because such an individual might have a history of violence. Chances of having abused or maltreated his or her children in the family might be high. The approach can be used to deal with child maltreatment and support the needs of different family members (Williams & Taleff, 2015). When this is done, more people or drug abusers will be discouraged from committing a similar crime.
Williams and Taleff (2015) indicate that any form of investigation started after an individual seeks drug counseling can affect the recovery or rehabilitation process. Similarly, more people in the society will be discouraged from seeking similar healthcare services. This would also be the same case when a drug addict is admitted into a rehabilitation facility. This discussion leaves only one option that can be considered to address the problem of child maltreatment. The families of individuals who have committed a drug related offense should be investigated in order to ensure the practice is acceptable and capable of supporting the needs of more societies.
Ethical Implications
Human services professionals should be aware of specific ethical requirements that define their practices. Any move aimed at investigating individuals who seek drug counseling can disorient the entire process. This is the case because more people might stop seeking such services in the future. The link between child maltreatment and drug counseling should be termed as a fallacy. It would be necessary for social workers to implement powerful campaigns to promote reporting and surveillance (Choate, 2015). Such measures can encourage more family members to report any form of abuse. The practice will ensure better strategies are implemented to deal with alcohol-related domestic violence.
Ethical issues such as confidentiality and ability to respect the health needs of drugs addicts are evident in the presented scenario. Any form of investigation after an individual decides to seek counseling can affect the involvement of the other family members throughout the care delivery process (Crosson-Tower, 2013). The self-determination of the client should also be respected during the process. When such ethical questions are clearly understood, more people suffering from drug addiction will be supported through counseling. It can also be appropriate to identify the best therapies and support systems to address the issues affecting more children from the affected families.
References
Choate, P. (2015). Adolescent alcoholism and drug addiction: The experience of parents. Behavioral Sciences, 5(1), 461-476.
Crosson-Tower, C. (2013). Understanding child abuse and neglect. New York, NY: Pearson Publishing.
Williams, I., & Taleff, M. (2015). Key arguments in unilateral termination from addiction programs: A discourse on ethical issues, clinical reasoning, and moral judgments. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 1(1), 1-9.