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CLIENT CASE STUDY 4

Introduction

Client System

During the intake, Mr. Sunnyside appeared stable, was appropriately attired, and was coherent. Moon Sunnyside is a 28-year-old Caucasian male. His family is comprised of 15 children, his wife, and himself. He stated that has attained college-level education but is currently unemployed. Based on his reported substance use, he presents mild substance abuse use since he admits to using marijuana 1-2 times per week and alcohol 1-3 times in the last month. He received an F.12.10 and an F10.10 diagnosis. According to the DSM-5, both diagnoses are classified as uncomplicated substance use.

Mr. Sunnyside willingly participated in the session and reviewed and signed all the necessary consents. He also completed the communicable disease risk assessments, Modified Mini Screening, and substance abuse self-reports as mandated by OASAS. Mr. Sunnyside received a detailed orientation to the program, including a detailed explanation of his rights regarding confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and OASAS guidelines, as well as the agency rules, regulations, and expectations. The program contract, patient rights/confidentiality, self-help information, and mandated clients with respect to group rules, were all discussed with Mr. Sunnyside. Mr. Sunnyside indicated that he understood all that was explained to him before signing the consents and releases. Based on the self-reported information and the Locadtr 3.0, Mr. Sunnyside will attend non-intensive outpatient drug treatment at the site.

Client Problems/Issues

Additionally, though there may be other contributory factors to Mr. Sunnysides’ substance abuse and PTSD, his unemployment status may also play a role. Being unemployed can be stressful, which can lead to addiction. The correlation between unemployment and drugs can be considered a continuous cycle that can only be treated using drug and alcohol treatment according to Moran, Keenan, and Elmusharaf, (2018). Although Mr. Sunnysides’ addiction is mild, it could worsen thus hindering his ability to find gainful employment. Moreover, considering that Mr. Sunnyside has a large family to maintain, a lack of financial resources can create pressure, which could exacerbate his substance abuse and, ultimately, his functioning as a reputable member of society. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to interventive approaches that can be adapted to assist Mr. Sunnyside in overcoming his challenges, thus improving his life.

Moreover, exposure to trauma that might have occurred recently or in the past, and pervasive thoughts, including substance abuse, negative thoughts, and hyperarousal to stimuli in the environment, are considered characteristics of acute and chronic PTSD according to Straughan, (2020). Traumatic experiences can exist in numerous forms, including accidents, criminal victimization, exposure to family or communal violence, natural disasters, and wars. Nonetheless, regardless of the roots of Mr. Sunnysides’ trauma, it is also essential to understand the frequency and impacts of his PTSD on his life and psychological functioning. This will ensure that it is possible to find a lasting solution, allowing him to effectively resume his daily activities.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2023), Environmental Justice symbolizes impartial treatment and authentic involvement of all people regardless of their race, color, income, or national origin, as it pertains to the advancement and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies as postulated by ………. Mr. Sunnysides’ socio-economic status due to his unemployment can exacerbate his anxiety. Mr. Sunnyside is a member of the community who is financially impacted. His challenges need to be addressed with the appropriate stakeholders in a non-discriminatory manner.

Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Level Practice

The micro level necessitates individual counseling for Mr. Sunnyside. Individual counseling focuses on helping him cope with his substance abuse, unemployment, and access to mental health services. At the micro level, social work encompasses protecting the most vulnerable people in society in the various aspects of their lives. Moreover, it is essential that Mr. Sunnyside is provided with the necessary counseling and linkage with the appropriate resources he needs to improve his life. The therapeutic process will include theories such as motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Motivational interviewing is a person-centered technique that is focused on assisting the individual to engage in behavioral change. Furthermore, motivational interviewing is an evidence-based practice that relies on CBT principles which encourages an individual to change through engagement strategies that are tailored to the individual, based on their current stage of change postulated by Broffman, (2022). Readiness for change is an important mediator to help Mr. Sunnyside achieve behavioral change.

Mr. Sunnyside will have to go through the different stages of the change model regarding his alcohol and marijuana abuse. The first stage is pre-contemplation, which raises doubts and enhances the perception of the client regarding the risks and issues related to their substance abuse problem. Intervention includes harm reduction strategies in this stage. The next stage is the contemplation stage, which encompasses getting ready, where the social worker and Mr. Sunnyside weigh the pros and cons of abstaining from his substance abuse. Thirdly there is the preparation stage marked by action. Mr. Sunnyside and the social worker will set clear goals and develop a realistic plan to take a significant step toward change. The next stage is the maintenance stage, where the social worker must help Mr. Sunnyside identify and employ various strategies to prevent a relapse. The next final stage is relapsing, whereby if Mr. Sunnyside relapses, the social worker will help him renew action without decolorization.

It is important in the process for the social worker to evoke the client's motivation to change by evoking their reasons to change. Moreover, this strategy can help with his PTSD by taking a trauma-informed approach that enhances his motivation to change his behavior within a compassionate and accepting atmosphere. Additionally, Mr. Sunnyside can benefit from integrating mindfulness, art therapy, and physical activity, with motivational interviewing in his therapy.

At the mezzo level, the social worker focuses on groups such as schools, businesses, organizations, and other smaller communities. The social worker can help Mr. Sunnyside with his unemployment by connecting him to local workshops or vocational schooling to attain guidance toward employment. This can also include helping him network with other people in the community that can facilitate his job-searching process. Additionally, Mr. Sunnyside can be linked with resources to assist him financially and with supplementary food assistance.

The macro-level practice works on a larger scale. This can include advocacy and implementation of programs that can assist Mr. Sunnyside with mediums to combat his PTSD as it relates to environmental justice. In this regard, the social worker can implement a human services program to address the large-scale social issue of PTSD. There might be numerous other individuals within the community going through the same experience. Therefore, by engaging with governmental departments and organizations that can evaluate the efficacy of human service programs, they can create a program that connects people quickly to excellent PTSD-related resources. The goal is for everyone with PTSD to be equipped to live healthier. This program should be driven by the principle of diversity to help marginalized communities, including people from low socio-economic status. Thus, they should not be required to pay for services to have equal access.

Conclusion

Overall, the social worker has an important responsibility to help Mr. Sunnyside to address his current life challenges which are unemployment, substance abuse, and PTSD. Using strategies such as motivational interviewing, it is possible to help him overcome his challenges. Additionally, the social worker will engage in various micro, mezzo, and macro-level activities that are meant to help Mr. Sunnyside achieve optimal living. Using interventions such as a human services program can impact the community at large.

References