Add5106: week 8 discussion 2: assessment interpretation
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Assessment Practice
Tierainie C. Johnson
Assessment of Addiction- ADD5106
Capella University
Dr. Ken Moskowitz
November 19, 2023
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Assessment Practice
Demographic Information
Rose Ingram, 50-year-old woman residing in Brown Trout Bay, presents complex
demographic profile. Her marital status and grown children provide glimpse into her family
structure. Working part-time as cashier at retail store indicates her employment status. The
struggle with alcohol abuse adds layer of complexity to her demographics, highlighting
substantial challenges in her life.
Strengths
Within Rose’s challenging circumstances, several strengths emerge. Despite part-time
employment, she contributes to her family’s support. Three close friends signify potential support
system for her recovery journey. Acknowledging her health status and making decision to quit
smoking demonstrates proactive steps toward better health, showcasing resilience amid
difficulties (Fancourt & Finn, 2019).
Client Problems
Rose’s client problems revolve around alcohol abuse, strained marital relationships, and
challenges related to her husband’s drinking. Her difficulties with employment, specifically
lateness attributed to hangovers, reveal impact of alcohol on her professional life. Understanding
these client problems is crucial for tailoring an effective treatment plan that addresses her
multifaceted issues.
Medical Status
Rose’s medical status reflects history of gall bladder removal two years ago and potential
hypertension requiring medication. Her acknowledgment of health issues, such as quitting
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smoking, indicates proactive approach to well-being. Exploring her medical status unveils
aspects that can influence her treatment and recovery journey.
Strengths
Rose’s strength lies in promptly addressing health issues, as evidenced by her decision to
quit smoking and seek medical attention for her gallbladder. Her proactive approach to health
contributes positively to her well-being, showcasing resilience and a commitment to self-
improvement.
Employment/Support Status
Rose’s employment and support status paints picture of her educational and occupational
background. With a GED, some community college education, and history of innumerable part-
time jobs, she has navigated through different roles. Her challenges, such as lateness due to
hangovers, provide insights into potential barriers affecting her employment (Wright, 2022).
Strengths
Despite challenges, Rose’s ability to secure employment with GED demonstrates
resourcefulness. Her contribution to her family’s support through part-time work showcases her
commitment to financial responsibilities. Understanding her employment and support status is
crucial for tailoring interventions that address the specific challenges she encounters.
Alcohol and Drugs
Rose’s history of alcohol use from young age and her family’s alcoholism and drug use
underscore significant aspects of her life. Her avoidance of drugs due to her brother’s heroin
overdose reveals complex relationship with substance use, necessitating comprehensive
understanding for effective intervention.
Client Problems
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Rose’s primary client problem centers around her alcohol abuse, leading to DUI incidents
and ongoing issues, such as frequent lateness to work due to hangovers. Recognizing depth of
these client problems is essential for formulating targeted treatment strategies that address root
causes of her substance use and related consequences.
Legal
Rose’s legal history, including DUI and other charges, provides insights into her
interactions with legal system. Understanding the legal dimension of her life is crucial for
tailoring interventions that consider potential legal implications and collaboration with legal
professionals.
Family/Social History
Exploring Rose’s family and social history reveals complex web of relationships, trauma,
and support. Her family’s history of alcoholism and drug use, coupled with her experiences of
physical abuse and rape, highlights profound impact of her upbringing on her current challenges.
Understanding these dynamics is vital for nuanced and effective treatment approach.
Client Problems
Rose’s family and social history contribute significantly to her client’s problems.
Childhood trauma, ongoing strained marital relationships, and past abusive experiences shape
her current struggles. Recognizing interconnectedness of these issues is essential for developing
a treatment plan that addresses the multifaceted aspects of her life.
Psychiatric Status
Rose’s psychiatric status delves into her mental health, revealing anxiety, depression, and
history of self-harm during her teenage years. Her current coping mechanism comprises using
alcohol to manage these mental health challenges. Understanding her psychiatric status is pivotal
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for tailoring interventions that address underlying factors contributing to her substance use
(Fearon, 2023).
Client Problems
Rose’s psychiatric status indicates ongoing challenges with anxiety and depression,
exacerbated by her alcohol use. The interconnectedness of mental health and substance use
underscores complexity of her client’s problems. Recognizing these intricacies is crucial for
formulating treatment plan that addresses substance use disorder and underlying mental health
issues.
DSM-5 Diagnosis
Considering Rose’s history of alcohol abuse, family background of alcoholism, and
impact on her mental health, probable DSM-5 diagnosis would be Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
DSM-5 diagnosis aligns with her prolonged and problematic alcohol use, legal consequences,
and impact on innumerable life domains (Bassingthwaighte, 2020).
Initial Treatment Recommendations
The initial treatment recommendations for Rose should revolve around addressing her
AUD and underlying mental health issues. Combination of individual counseling, group therapy,
and potential psychiatric evaluation is recommended. Tailoring interventions to her needs will be
crucial for a holistic and effective treatment approach.
Treatment Goals
The treatment goals for Rose Ingram center on achieving and maintaining abstinence
from alcohol and breaking cycle of dependence that has led to negative consequences. The focus
is on developing coping strategies for managing anxiety and depression without relying on
alcohol. The goals aim to address interconnected issues of substance use and mental health,
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fostering comprehensive approach to Rose’s recovery. Ultimate objective is to improve her well-
being by providing alternative coping mechanisms and strategies for navigating life’s challenges
without resorting to alcohol (Minton, 2022).
Legal and Ethical Issues
Dual Relationships
Rose’s small community may raise concerns about dual relationships. Clinicians must
navigate it carefully to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring their primary focus remains Rose’s
well-being. Regularly revisiting and discussing therapeutic relationship boundaries is essential to
maintaining ethical standards.
Informed Consent
Given Rose’s legal history, obtaining informed consent becomes crucial if legal or court-
ordered aspects are involved in her treatment. Transparent communication about potential
disclosures is essential. It ensures Rose understands parameters of confidentiality and potential
information sharing, fostering trust in therapeutic relationship.
Confidentiality
Rose’s legal history raises challenges in maintaining confidentiality. Clinicians must
navigate these challenges while adhering to ethical standards and ensuring information sharing is
done responsibly. Balancing need for collaboration with legal professionals while safeguarding
Rose’s privacy is crucial for ethical practice. Navigating legal and ethical issues requires
thoughtful and transparent approach. Clinicians must continually assess and reassess these
considerations throughout treatment process, ensuring that Rose’s rights and well-being are
consistently prioritized.
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References
Bassingthwaighte, A. (2020). The Social Construction of the DSM-5 & its Impact on Patient Dignity.
Dr.library.brocku.ca. http://hdl.handle.net/10464/14944
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and
well-being? A scoping review. In iris.who.int. World Health Organization. Regional Office for
Europe. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/329834
Fearon, D. O. (2023, November 6). Examining the Connection: Traumatic Life Events, Substance Use,
and Service Utilization Among Persons Admitted to Inpatient Psychiatry in Ontario.
Uwspace.uwaterloo.ca. https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/20086
Minton, E. A. (2022). Pandemics and consumers’ mental well‐being. Journal of Consumer Affairs,
56(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12444
Wright, K. (2022). Barriers to help-seeking for mental health issues in young rural males.
Researchbank.ac.nz. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.5858