2 discussion questions

M5D1: Impact on Individuals

In this discussion, you are to explore the effects of addiction on the individual by providing an holistic assessment of a hypothetical client’s potential difficulties.  You have reviewed many effects of addiction on individuals, including these ones related to alcohol.  Consider again please and apply these websites’ insights on alcohol addiction’s individual effects.

 Foundation for drug-free world (2008).  Short- and long-term effects(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.) . In The truth about alcohol. Retrieved from  http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/short-term-long-term-effects.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)  

 S. Department of Health and Human Services (2004).  Alcohol’s damaging effects on the brain(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.) . Alcohol Alert, Number 63. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Publications Distribution Center. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm

After reviewing all of the readings and viewings, please choose an addiction (e.g., substance abuse, alcohol, gambling etc.), then imagine that a new client of yours has this behavioral addiction.  For this client, write an initial post that:

· Identifies the possible difficulties that the individual client may experience in each of the major life areas (e.g., personal health and wellness; family and social life; workplace or school; and, legal or financial difficulties).

· Explores in some ways how this type of addiction differs from others (such as alcohol), or brings with it unique individual difficulties.

M5D2: Impact on Families

Addiction is not only a personal issue.  Addiction has profound effects on those with whom the addict comes into contact, particularly family members.  In this discussion, you will explore how the individual addict affects a family’s members and how they in turn affect the addict and his/her behavior. 

Review the following articles and video on codependent relationships

Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: from theory to practice. (Links to an external site.)  Social work in public health, 28(3-4), 194-205.

Ackerman, R. J. (n.d.). Alcoholism and the family. (Links to an external site.)  [PDFfile size 77.2 KB]. National Association for Children of Alcoholics. 

Films Media Group. (Producer). (1990). Codependent relationships (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.) . [Video file] [06 mins 28 secs]. In Adult Children of Alcoholics: A Family Secret. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=2629&loid=28081

After having reviewed these, please address yourself to these questions:

· How has addiction affected the family members of the addict? In what ways has/might any of their behavior(s) or thinking about their addicted relative change(d)?

· In what ways might the family dynamic affect the addicted individual?