Case Study on "Description of the Core Functions of Addiction Counselors"

Case Study 10 pages (2826 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

The client reports a pattern of substance abusing behaviors beginning at age 7 years, accelerating during his high school years and culminating in his current situation where he lives with his elderly parents and earns a modest amount of money by performing household, yard and caretaker tasks for them. The client is an unlicensed driver who is facing further involvement with the criminal justice system due to a purported inability to pay his fines for a DUI conviction despite an apparent ability to purchase alcohol and drugs. The client also reports a history of being the victim of sexual abuse at age 6 years and the perpetrator at age 14 years. The client does have some outside interests, including martial arts which he practices in his parents' basement (where he also isolates himself to use alcohol and drugs) and a semester of college but reports no plans for the future. Finally, David does not take any prescription medications but reports recent problems with his stomach.

Screening

The screening function for David is applied in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Application of Screening Function to David

Global Criteria

Application to Client

Evaluate the psychological, social, and physiological signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drug abuse.

The client's self-reported pattern of alcohol and drug use confirm addictive behavior patterns. In addition, the client's tendency to isolate and use, lack of close friends and distanced relationship with his parents are consistent with additive behaviors.

Determine the client's appropriateness for admission or referral.

David is an appropriate client for admission into a 30-day inpatient alcohol/drug rehabilitation program.

Determine the client's eligibility for admission or referral.

The client is eligible for admission into a county-operated rehabilitation center supported with local, state and federal funds.

Identify any coexisting conditions (medical, psychiatric, physical, etc.) that indicate the need for additional professional assessment and/or services.

The client complains of stomach pains that may be related to his excessive use of alcohol, especially whiskey, on a daily basis which will require a referral to a physician for evaluation.

Intake

An application of the intake function to David is provided in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Application of the Intake Function to David

Global Criteria

Application to Client

Complete the required documents for admission to the program.

This step will include any release of information forms required by funding agencies as well as any institutional release forms.

Complete the required documents for program eligibility and appropriateness.

These documents will include the screening and assessment forms, practitioner recommendations as well as the forms required to secure funding for David's admission into the 30-day rehabilitation program.

Obtain appropriately signed consents when soliciting information from, or providing information to, outside sources to protect client confidentiality and rights.

Previously obtained release of information forms and informed consent documents from the client are included in this step. With the client's consent, local law enforcement authorities should also be notified concerning the client's status and advised of his intent to resolve his outstanding fines.

Orientation

An application of the orientation function to David is provided in Table 4 below.

Table 4

Application of the Orientation Function to David

Global Criteria

Application to Client

Provide an overview to the client by describing program goals and objectives for client care.

The inpatient program's overarching goal of achieving a clean and sober lifestyle will be explained to David, together with the program's objectives for his care during his inpatient stay.

Provide an overview to the client by describing program rules and client obligation and rights.

The client should be assured that although his admission is entirely voluntary and he can withdraw at any time, it will be in his best interests to actively participate in the program consistent with the terms of the mutually agreed upon treatment plan.

Provide an overview to the client of program operations.

David will be provided with a description of the day-to-day program activities, group sessions, medications used, and other aspects of the program that he will need to succeed.

Assessment

An application of the assessment function to David is provided in Table 5 below.

Table 5

Application of the Assessment Function to David

Global Criteria

Application to Client

Gather relevant history from client, including but not limited to, alcohol and other drug abuse using appropriate interview techniques.

This step will require a personal interview with the client.

Identify methods and procedures for obtaining corroborative information from significant secondary sources regarding client's alcohol and other drug abuse and psycho-social history.

This step will require personal interviews with David's parents and any friends who may be amenable to sharing.

Identify appropriate assessment tools.

Appropriate assessment tools for David's case would include the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the CAGE Assessment, and the Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST-10).

Explain to the client the rationale for the use of assessment techniques in order to facilitate understanding.

The client will be provided with a description of each assessment tool including its purpose and the amount of time required to complete them.

Develop a diagnostic evaluation of the client's substance abuse and any coexisting conditions based on the results of all assessments in order to provide an integrated approach to treatment planning based on the client's strengths, weaknesses, and identified problems and needs.

The client's strengths include a sufficient educational background to complete a training or degree program, an interest in an activity that promotes physical fitness and mental clarity (martial arts) and two parents who are still alive and have a vested interest in his welfare. The client's weaknesses include a lack of motivation to change, a fully blown addiction to a danger alcohol/drug combination and a lack of marketable skills.

Treatment Plan

An application of the treatment function to David is provided in Table 6 below.

Table 6

Application of the Treatment Function to David

Global Criteria

Application to Client

Explain assessment results to the client in an understandable manner.

An honest interpretation of the results of the assessment will be shared with David in this step.

Identify and rank problems based on individual client needs in the written treatment plan.

This step would likely prioritize David's problems as being stopping his alcohol and substance abuse, securing meaningful employment, and resolving his outstanding problems with the criminal justice system. David's current living arrangements should also be considered for change based on his own best interests.

Formulate agreed upon immediate and long-term goals using behavioral terms in the written treatment plan.

This step would include actions such as calling a sponsor or practitioner when the client is tempted to slip and checking in with his primary counselor on a regular basis.

Identify the treatment methods and resources to be utilized as appropriate for the individual client.

This step would include the 30-day inpatient rehabilitation program as well as follow-up care following his discharge.

Conclusion

The 12 core functions of addiction counselors were shown to be screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, report and record keeping and consultation. This comprehensive set of core functions outlined and discussed above can help guide addiction counselors throughout the intervention process, and can help improve the chances for successful clinical outcomes. Given the enormous complexity of addictive behaviors, these core functions represent a valuable framework for evaluating the needs of a diverse range of clients, formulating efficacious treatment plans, coordinating care among a multidisciplinary team while consistently documenting the process and performing ongoing reevaluations of individual dynamics. In the final analysis, it is reasonable to conclude that all addiction counselors should fully understand and apply the 12 core functions of addiction counselors in their professional practice.

References

Florin, J. (2013, May-June). An overlooked skill for counselors: Writing. Addiction Professional, 11(3), 40.

Herdman, J. (2001). Global criteria: The 12 core functions of… READ MORE

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