1-2 Journal: Top Three Problems
HSE 325- Substance Use Counsel Theory
Southern New Hampshire University
Abbie Craig
Katie is a 34-year-old businesswoman who has two children. Katie came to start intense
outpatient counseling and services because she was charged with DWI. She has already finished
a program. The first issue that alcohol would address with the client is her alcohol abuse. The
customer's involvement with the law for drinking and driving indicates that this can or is already
an issue for the client. Even though Katie claims that her drinking in high school was "just a
phase," she continues to drink and engage in unsafe behavior like drinking and driving long after
she graduated.
While counseling this client, my second concern would be with her denial. The client
appears to be in a state of denial, which may lead to her not believing she is misusing
substances/alcohol and tending to downplay this behavior by saying. You have no idea what
you're capable of accomplishing while you're stoned. Doing this is not good for your health. The
client also deals with grief and denial because of her sister's death when she was nine. The client
saw her sister die and has never had trauma therapy. She also refused to talk about the accident.
My final recommendation would be to help the client overcome her despair. The client
expressed concern, saying, "I think I might be depressed." Because of her drinking, the client has
marital problems. Substance abuse and mental illness run in the family. According to the client,
she and her husband Joe had arguments about her drinking and finances.7The client's alcohol
usage, depression, and grief/denial about previous trauma and present problems are all factors
that, in my opinion, need to be addressed for therapy to be effective. When dealing with this
customer, the first and most crucial step is to acknowledge the existence of a problem. That will
be useful in giving her the resources she needs to overcome these challenges.
