W6PsychT

2020.

Introduction

Brandshaw et al. (2014) point out that addiction is a challenging disorder affecting people. Addiction negatively impacts the daily lives of the affected individuals; symptoms include intense and painful cravings for substance usage, damaging effects not only on the individuals or the dependents but also on society. This document examines the Levy Family video clip and how to assess and treat patients with addiction.

Episode 1

In the Levy Family video, Mr. Levy has a drinking addiction, but he does not want to admit this behavior. This behavior explains why he is in denial about the importance of seeking treatment. According to Dare and Derigne (2010), denial is the number one reason alcoholics and other substance-related addicts stay away from seeking treatment. In the video, Mrs. Levy expresses fears about her husband’s behavior of sitting up all night watching the TV while drinking. Mrs. Levy believes that this behavior jeopardizes the entire family. Mr. Levy’s alcohol addiction has long-term side effects, including frequent argument, strain in the relationship, loss of a job, developing medical complications, and a car accident, if he drives while intoxicated.

Episode 2

The social worker had several preconceived ideas regarding the client without meeting and assessing Mr. Levy’s cognitive and rational thought process regarding his behavior. The first step towards dealing with addictive behavior is accepting the problem, and Mr. Levy is still denying having this addiction problem. Williams et al. (2006) state that when counseling clients using drugs and other substances, the impact will depend on their receptivity and readiness to change. The social worker supervisor emphasizes the importance of putting the need of the client first and utilizing evidenced-based psychotherapy treatment plan to override the need of the social worker trying a new treatment option like yoga, meditation, not documented on evidence-based on a client she has not assessed first (Lauretta Education, 2013c). According to Fuertes and Nutt Williams (2017), studies show that psychotherapy has positive effects in dealing with most of the existing psychological disorders and problems amongst people.

Episode 3

The therapist assisted Mr. Levy to recall how frequently he tours. The therapist utilizing exposure therapy introduced breathing exercises to assist Mr. Levy in narrating his traumatic experiences, thereby succeeding in controlling his anxiety and emotion during the therapy session. The interventions the therapist utilized in conducting the therapy session are appropriate and successful in controlling Mr. Levy’s anxiety as he recounts his experience. Anxiety makes breathing patterns increase, leading to changes in gas exchange in the lungs. There is a low level of oxygen in the blood. The body does not retain carbon dioxide. The partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide concentration decreases. The acid-base balance alters, leading to respiratory alkalosis. Persistent expiratory obstruction in the airway passages will result in respiratory acidosis due to a fall in the tidal volume (Huether & McCance, 2012). Deep breathing exercise enables the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, the heart rate variability (HRV) and the autonomic system to function in their best states (Russo, Santarelli, and O’Rourke, 2017). HRV is responsible for the continuous supply of oxygen to the vital organs. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system exerts a relaxation effect on the body, promoting a state of calmness and reduction in anxiety level. Exposure therapy involves intermittent exposure of the client to the stimuli that provoke a state of anxiety to the client, allowing them to confront their phobia to reduce anxiety in a safe, relaxed environment (Williams, 2017). This practitioner will use ET as well since it was appropriate for Mr. Levy.

Episode 4

Mr. Levy narrates a painful story of how his platoon officer died in Iraq. During his narration, it was apparent that Mr. Levy was still in the traumatized phase, and the incidences of his time in Iraq create anxiety every time he remembers or narrates them. Therefore, communicating and listening in an effective language is essential during the treatment phase. This practitioner acknowledges that Mr. Levy has PTSD, guilt feeling and anxiety attack following not shooting Kurt to put an end to his pain. This practitioner will provide the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy technique to help him identify this thought and replace it with more positive ones to make him realize that Kurt’s death was not his fault. This practitioner will teach him appropriate ways to positively handle his anxiety, deal with his emotions, and use alcohol.

Episode 5

The therapist shows concerns about Mr. Levy expecting a baby and may not be able to take care of the baby due to substance use. Children whose caregivers possess, manufacture, use, cultivate, or distribute substances are at risk of physical and emotional harm (Smith & Wilson, 2016). Excessive negative emotions and personal conflicts may impact the psychotherapeutic intervention and outcome. (Hayes, Gelso, Goldberg, & Kivlighan, 2018).

Conclusion

Addiction involves habitual drug use despite adverse consequences due to underlying issues. Practitioners must assess and manage these addictions precisely.

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