Treatment options for substance abuse are wide and varied. Some are geared towar

Question

Treatment options for substance abuse are wide and varied. Some are geared toward prevention; others toward relapse prevention. Substance abuse often has a devastating impact on families. What emotions might you feel if you had a family member who kept relapsing? What would be your breaking point for that family member who continued to use? Would you be able to cut them out of your life? Would you want to? Of the treatment options discussed in the text, which do you think is most effective? Which, in your opinion, is the least effective? Other thoughts?

Explanation / Answer

Treatment for substance abuse is a challenging one. The success of it based on how the individual is able to follow the therapy package. But there is no guarantee to the fact that the person might relapse subsequent on later life events. Preventive measures also to what extend works is often contested. But creating a negative attitude towards substance abuse from early life has found to be a protective factor which often survives the turbulence of adult life. The tragedy of sustances abuse is that it not only directly affects the person involved, puts him at risk of other mental illnesses, but affects the family emotionally, financially and results in poor interpersonal relationships. The entire family is quite often at the risk of moving down the social ladder or enjoying a reduced standard of living . The emotions felt by family members at the relapse is also something needs support and assistance. The emotions they face can include anger, frustration, fear, sadness and even melancholy or depressive mood. The breaking point of family members is quite often when the addicted person is unable to listen to family member's concerns and continue the substance use despite the negative effects it already had on him/her. It is very difficult to cut off the addicted person emotionally despite the trouble the family members undergo because of the actions of the addicted person. Quite often the feelings of the family members vascilate between empathy and antagonism towards the addicted member. As an attached family member they would want him/her to be return to the healthy life. Psychotherapy or pharmacology alone is least effective. A combination of it in a supportive rehabilitation environment would be most effective. Motivation enhancement therapy is very necessary and supportive family/friends is a prognostic factor.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.