Addiction Therapist Chemical dependence/ substance abuse has been for a long time now one of the major reasons why a large percent of the population are high school dropouts, unemployed, and in many other distressed conditions. The crime rates are becoming higher and higher as more people are hooked up with illegal substances. Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and tobacco are just some of the frequently abused drugs, especially of adolescents these days. These substances not only affect the health and safety of the individual but also that of other people.
Their relationship with their family and with the society is compromised as well. Many factors contribute to the reason for abuse. Family problems and peer pressure; financial and emotional instability. They think these chemicals are the answer to their problem but what they provide is temporary relief and escape. Most of them do not intend to abuse them, but as they makes them forget that they have problems, in the long run and before they even know it, they’re already dependent. As a result, their inabilities to stop using them despite all the problems they have caused predispose the patient to further abuse of substance.
There are several treatment options available for substance abusers. These include the outpatient, intensive outpatient, day treatment, residential/inpatient and Methadone treatment and detoxification. Detoxification is a weeklong process. It is the first step in the treatment of such patients with severe addiction and is done to stop their addiction with the substance and stabilize their condition medically. A key in the treatment of substance abusers is to be able to establish rapport with them and to engage them in group discussions and other activities with other patients whom they can interact with and relate to.
They should also be able to challenge their patient, set goals, explore issues and at the same time take into consideration their culture and diversity. In my experience, it is important that we incorporate the needs of each individual in the group and know what we’re doing for them and what we expect from them in return. Many programs have been developed to successfully treat chemical abuse. Although programs are designed to suit the patients, not all programs may prove effective even for the same group of patient. Different patients require different approach.
And here comes the necessity for human- service professionals/nurses who could properly in intervene with people with such issues. The focal point of the assessment/intervention is the initial interview with the substance-abusing patient. Complete history of the patient prior to the treatment will allow. It all depends on the interviewer’s having the right interviewing skill, knowledge about the abuse, and the right attitude to allow him to confront the issues at hand. Before proceeding with the treatment/ rehabilitation process, it is important that you’ll be able to connect and interact with them in a personal level.
To be able to work with them effectively, they should feel that you can be trusted and some patients such as victims of physical or sexual abuse can be very uncooperative and are reluctant to share with you sensitive issues. They are to understand first the implication of their condition to themselves and to the people around them. In my long experience as a nurse in a Psychiatric unit, I have been trained to work effectively with patients suffering from substance abuse and have been constantly dealing with these patients whose dependence most often than not are related to mental disorders or emotional instability.