SOCW-6202-WK7-Discussion

Discussion 1: Working With Special Populations

Addiction is an equal opportunity disease. It knows no boundaries and affects all segments of the population regardless of race, culture, age, class, or other differences. Although no segment of the population is immune to addiction, there are certain segments that are more vulnerable than others.

Vulnerable populations are referred to as special populations and include many diverse groups including the homeless, ethnic minorities, the elderly, the gay and lesbian population, persons with disabilities, prisoners, and pregnant women. The members of these special populations have unique needs that present challenges you may not encounter when working with other populations.

·       Post a description of a special population that you may work with as a helping professional.·       Explain two challenges that you might encounter when working with this special population.

·       Explain two potential strategies that you might use to overcome those challenges and explain why these strategies might be effective.

·       Support your response using the resources and the current literature.

References (use 2 or more)

Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage. 

Coleman-Cowger, V. H. (2012). Mental health treatment need among pregnant and postpartum women/girls entering substance abuse treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26(2), 345–350.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2012, January 12). Older adult substance abuse treatment admissions have increased; Number of special treatment programs for this population has decreased. Data Spotlight, Drug and Alcohol Information System. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/WEB_SPOT_043/WEB_SPOT_043.pdf Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration , Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2012). Older adult substance abuse treatment admissions have increased; number of special treatment programs for this population has descreased. Retrieved from website: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/WEB_SPOT_043/WEB_SPOT_043.pdf 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders (DHHS Publication No. SMA 05-3992). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64197/ Read sections 2–9. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 42. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 05-3922. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005.