Case 1
Colton, a sixteen-year-old male, was referred to the drug treatment center by a social worker. He was admitted to the local hospital emergency room after inhaling a substance and losing consciousness. The client has several specific needs that need to be addressed. First, Colton needs to be diagnosed and treated for his substance use disorder to ensure abstention. Second, the client needs to undergo a thorough medical assessment to understand if he presents the signs of comorbidities.
The fact that he lost his heartbeat after inhaling a substance may be a sign of a heart condition or severe allergy. At the same time, the client requires full psychological assessment, as continuous drug abuse is often associated with mental conditions. Finally, the client and his mother require guidance to improve their relationships to ensure that the family environment helps to heal the client. The described needs are to be addressed by a group of professionals to avert possible adverse outcomes.
Addiction treatment teams differ depending on the case. According to Vann (2009), such a team may include psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, substance abuse counselors, clinical social workers, occupational or physical therapists, dietitians, and faith leaders. Colton’s case requires the help of at least four specialists, including a psychologist, an addictions counselor, a therapist, and a social worker.
The counselor will help to address the core problem, which is substance use disorder (SUD). The therapist will provide a full medical assessment to understand if the client demonstrates any signs of comorbidities. The psychologist will assess the client for psychological trauma and decide if he requires treatment. This specialist may also decide that family therapy is needed. Finally, a social worker should ensure that the child is not exposed to any threats at home or school.
Considering that the client may find it difficult to organize and keep track of all appointments, a case manager may be needed. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 2004), a case manager “offers the client a single point of contact with the health and social services systems” (p. 3). However, the presence of a case manager is optional is that Colton’s mother may help him with this matter.
Case 2
Kyra, a 24-year-old female, was referred to an addiction specialist by an employee assistance program. She has a history of depression after losing custody of her three-year-old son. Kyra claims to have insomnia, and she uses alcohol every day in the evening and sleeping pills to help her go to sleep. She also experiences changes in mood and social isolation. Considering these factors, she has several needs that should be addressed. First, Kyra requires addiction treatment as her current intake pattern of alcohol and sleeping medication demonstrates the signs of alcohol misuse and possible substance use disorder. Second, she requires treatment for depression.
Third, she may also benefit from going through a medical assessment for comorbidities. Kyra will require the help of an addiction counselor, a psychiatrist, and a physician. The addiction specialist will treat alcohol abuse and assess if there is a problem with SUD. The therapist will make sure that there are no comorbid conditions, and the psychiatrist will choose another medication for depression to avoid side effects. The services of a case manager do not seem to be needed, as the coordination can be handled by the client herself.
References
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Case management for substance abuse treatment: A guide for treatment providers. Rockville, MD: HHS Publications.
Vann, M. (2009). Your addiction treatment care team. Web.