7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 8-2: Substance Use Disorder Therapy Process

Substance Use Disorder Therapy Process
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Question 7-1: Client Resistance
During the substance use disorder therapy process, there are certain red flags that indicate client resistance. According to the writing by Clifton Mitchell (2016) on Resistant Clients, the occurrence of resistance is a clear indication of a therapy happening. Mitchell (2016) states that resistance increases with the experience of a therapist. Some indications of resistance include increased arguments with clients, feeling stressed and depleted of energy after the session, and the therapist working harder than the client in the treatment process. The most effective way to deal with resistance is for the therapist to realize that it is not a personal thing but rather resistance is part of therapy process (Mitchell, 2016).
A client with substance use disorder has extra stressors hence is more likely to be resistant than a client with general mental health disorder (Miller D Scott, Barry L. Duncan, George S. Brown, 2008). Such stressors include denial issues, psychological challenges, and bad relationships in families that form the basis for substance abuse. All these factors contribute to decreasing self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Consequently, the client with substance use disorder is likely to have a higher resistance than the client with mental health disorder. This is because the therapist has to deal with all the stressors contributing to the substance use disorder in the process of therapy. Dealing with all factors contributing to the disorder is likely to overwhelm the client who can start to experience resistance. On the contrary, the client might not receive complete treatment if the therapist avoids to deal with the stressors.
Question 7-2: Motivating the client to achieve therapy goals
There are various tools therapists can use to help motivate the client and keep them on track with their stated goals. Clients come for therapy focussing on the end results. The therapists can apply role induction to enable the patient to develop clear and necessary expectations. Role induction also assures patients that their preferences will be considered in the therapy process. The therapist can also start to talk about and plan for the end results in the early stages of the therapy (Alexandra Trout, Steven Hoffiman, Jacqueline Huscroft, 2012).
Some interventions might be necessary to help the client become more focussed or motivated through the treatment process. The therapist should offer education about durations for typical treatm...