For ANN Harris

U09a1/ Assignment

Miatta R. Yeanay

5106/ Assessment Test and Measures

September 7, 2017

Dr. Majorie Hotaling

Abstract

The paper employs the substance abuse-CAGE Questionnaire to evaluate the problems affecting Mike. Mike has been having problems of late that have been affecting his life in a negative manner. Using the tool tries to create a positive dimension through which Mike may heal and acquire a normal life just like before the problems came into hand. The paper also presents the information related to the treatment process and counseling session in its final session.

Case Study and Assessment Tool

Introduction

The paper chooses the case of Mike as its key discussion situation. The paper also selects the substance Abuse-CAGE questionnaire as the key tool to undertake evaluation on Mike. Mike has been known by the parent to be a gentle boy who always loves to play sports. However, in recent days the parents have witnessed his behavioral traits changing. With the aspect of finding a vodka bottle in his room, they think that he is taking a wrong turn in life. They also undertake some assessments through observation to see that his friends have changed of late and that he is also performing poorly in his academics. They know that something needs to be done and that is the reason as to why they are seeking for assistance through counseling for Mike to acquire a positive living. Mike has agreed to attend counseling to enable his parents to acquire satisfaction with the positive development of his life. The paper tries to create a deeper understanding of the counseling process and the evaluation tool that will be employed to assist Mike.

Primary Question Presented in the Case Scenario

When you look at the life of Mike, it is evident that the parents have known him to be a good and polite boy. The changes are the ones that are making his parents suspicious of what their son may become in the future. The key question is the following: what influences Mike to change his behavioral traits? With the above question being in mind, it is easy to identify the possible factors that motivate him to possibly abuse drugs and to perform poorly in the classroom. The question may also assist a counselor to identify the possible approaches that may be employed to assist him to get back to his normal life. A counselor may also employ the question to design the right tool for his evaluation. The question has a multidimensional technique placed on the life of Mike. It focuses on his social life both in school and at home. It looks at some of the interactions he has with his parents and his friends and how they influence his life as a growing teenager.

Measure of the Problem

The parents may not find the vodka in his bedroom if Mike did not bring it to the room. It is evident that Mike is consuming alcohol as a defense mechanism. He is a teenager and his friends may be the key influence on his new-found lifestyle. Mike has been a good boy from the beginning. With the vodka being found in his room, it is enough for the parents to confirm that their child is taking part in the consumption of alcohol. Peer pressure is a major problem for Mike and his growing status. The friends are changing and are also influencing him to pursue other activities that are not aligned to the normal goals of his life. Alcohol consumption is changing his perception about life. Mike has been performing poorly due to lack of taking his academics seriously. He is also changing his perception about sports, with less participation in them. Mike may not be able to succeed in school if he continues to take part in his unorganized status of life.

Use of the Tool for Assessment and its Interpretation

For the case of Mike, there are several tools that may be used to assist him. However, the key tool is substance abuse-CAGE Questionnaire which focuses on a patient that is involved in a situation that involves substance abuse such as alcohol and cocaine (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2009). In this case, Mike is the patient and no one knows how long he has been abusing alcohol. We need to understand the duality of Mike in relation to abusing alcohol in his school and home environment. We should focus on determining the responsiveness of Mike in consuming alcohol from a clinical setting. How long has Mike consumed alcohol? Has Mike been pretending not to be consuming alcohol in the presence of his parents? Are friends influencing him to do so? How far has alcohol affected his life? Is there a chance to assist him to recover from his new behavior? In the counseling session, what methods are applicable to assist the young boy? The test used in the substance abuse-CAGE Questionnaire involves evaluating if Mike can control responsible reasoning in alcohol consumption. Mike may be acquiring much of the influence from his friends who according to the teachers have for the past one year changed. The test tries to identify the fact that Mike may move away from alcohol and put his life in order. It tries to create a platform through which Mike may be counseled and advised to stop engaging in alcohol consumption.

Linking Substance Abuse-CAGE Questionnaire and Counseling

As an assessment tool, the substance abuse-CAGE Questionnaire is part and parcel of counseling (Martin & Pear, 2015). It contains several questions that are scaled to know the nature of mental health found on a patient in relation to the aspect of drug abuse. Any counselor may interact with a patient such as Mike to identify the level of consumption found in him. The questions focus on the study, social interactions, personal problems, career goals, and academic performance (Morey & Quigley, 2002). Alcohol affects the above areas and it is important to know how to prevent the causes of alcohol in the areas. The questions focus on creating a positive relationship between the client and the counselor (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2009). It is through the relationship that the two stakeholders can come up with the desired approaches to ensure the development of the patient. Mike in the above case may acquire knowledge on the dangers of alcohol and through the counseling process; he is able to develop his prioritized areas that motivate an aspect of success in his life. Therefore, counseling and the tool are compatible when it comes to dealing with Mike.

Presenting the Results to the Client and Diverse Clients

First, the information acquired from the client should be confidential and should only be released to Mike, and to the parents with his permission. The above factor creates loyalty between the client and the counselor. It may enable Mike to provide more information without the fear of information being shared with other stakeholders in the society. The information may be produced after interacting with the patient and coming up with the proper diagnosis on his mental and substance abuse disorder. It is through the above stage that the counselor presents the best approaches that may be used in the counseling process to enable the client to appreciate and understand his problem. Presentation of data in relation to the treatment and counseling process takes place in stages and depending on the progress of the client. It is through the substance abuse-CAGE questionnaire that the counselor uses the response to determine the problems affecting Mike and develop a way forward.

References

Cashwell, C., & Young, J. (2004). Spirituality in counselor training: A content analysis of syllabi from introductory spirituality courses. Counseling and Values, 48(2), 96-109.

Fulero, S., & Wrightsman, L. (2009). Forensic Psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Martin, G., & Pear, J. (2015). BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO DO IT. Park Drive: Psychology Press.

Morey, L., & Quigley, B. (2002). The use of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in assessing offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 46(3), 333-349.

Ratts, M., DeKruyf, L., & Chen-Hayes, S. (2007). The ACA advocacy competencies: A social justice advocacy framework for professional school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 11(12), 90-97.