SOCW-6202-WK8-Responses

Response 1: Contributing to Community Recovery

Respond to the postings of other colleagues who chose a different scenario than the one that you chose. Explain whether current government policies are adequate in addressing community needs for addiction counseling.

Use at least 1 reference. Needs to be ½ page in length or more

Colleague: Hayley

Post:

The scenario involving the tornado in a small Midwestern town is the one chosen. After the tornado the entire community of that town were left with a great loss, especially with so many young children losing their lives. The first directive I would give my staff is to contact any of our clients to see if they needed anything or if they wanted to schedule an emergency session. Since most addicts are more vulnerable and could suffer from negative psychosocial consequences after a traumatic event (Johnson & Fendrich, 2009). 

I would also reach out to the local churches and other agencies to see if our services would be needed. Whether it be to provide emotion, mental and other supports during this time. We would set up an emergency screening station and hotline so individuals in need would be able to gain access to such services. Our goals would be to support the community, to try and decrease our current clients from relapsing. We would also try and eliminate an increase in substance abuse since drug use or substance abuse has been known to increase during or after a natural event (Johnson & Fendrich, 2009). We would implement a plan that would help supply an adequate provision for mental health and substance abuse services for these individuals (Wiley, 2006). Per Wiley, setting up a mutual aid agreement would be beneficial for clients that has survived a natural disaster (Wiley, 2006). 

In previous legislation substance abuse has not been included in any law governing disaster response this would hinder substance abuse counselor access to relief funding. This would impact the extent of services that an addiction professional could provide. The Stafford Act (FEMA) can also impact the services that they provide by taking a long time to answer requests since substance abuse is not written in the law (Wiley, 2006). 

References:

Johnson, T. P., & Fendrich, M. (2009). Substance use under conditions of uncertainty and 

trauma: An introduction. Substance Use and Misuse, 44(12), 1661–1664. 

Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (2006). Substance abuse counseling written into federal disaster response 

bill. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 18(33), 5–6.

Response 2: Perceived Crisis Influencing Addiction

Respond to a colleague who described a different influence or perceived crisis than the one that you described. Describe a crisis intervention model different from the one that your colleague chose and explain why the method that you selected might be more successful. Use the Resources and the current literature to support your ideas.

Use at least 1 reference. Needs to be ½ page in length or more

Colleague: Hayley

Post:

Two factors that are outside an individual’s control that could result in a perceived crisis would be a massive house fire and a natural disaster; such as an earthquake or tornado (Johnson & Fendrich, 2009). These events can cause an addict to relapse or for someone to increase substance use. The reason behind it would be how these traumatic events effect their overall mental wellbeing. A natural disaster could cause the treatment facilities to close down and for SUDs to lose their support systems. A massive house fire could put a strain on addicts that are already struggling with their sobriety, it can increase the risk of individuals turning to substances to help deal with financial ruin, dislocation and personal tragedy (Policy watch, 2006). 

These individuals are prone to increased stress and substance abuse, which can cause stress-related problems like PTSD and depression. Conducting a needs assessment, funding hotlines and referring to 12 step programs, crisis interventions services would be an effective in facing factors (Policy watch, 2006). This would be beneficial to try and catch the relapse before it happened or to stop the usage before it starts. Allowing victims the opportunity to talk out their issues and to seek other services before the issue spirals out of control.

References:

Johnson, T. P., & Fendrich, M. (2009). Substance use under conditions of uncertainty and 

trauma: An introduction. Substance Use and Misuse, 44(12), 1661–1664.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Policy watch. Disasters and substance use disorders: response and responsibility. (2006). Journal 

            of Addictions Nursing (Taylor & Francis Ltd), 17(1), 71-77.