Substance Misuse looking at from social worker percepective

Social Workers and Substance Use
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Social Workers and Substance Use
Introduction
Many social customs and cultures around the world allow alcohol and other drug use. The majority of people using such substances often do so in a responsible manner without harming themselves and others. Unfortunately, there is a minority who develop problems that negatively affect not only their health and wellbeing but also that of their families, friends, and community. Substance use disorders (SUDs) impact families across the United States in staggering numbers. In 2016, 63,600 people died of drug overdoses were, translating to about 174 deaths per day (CDC, 2017, p1). The US is in the midst of the worst drug overdose epidemic in history. Alcohol, the number one killer substance in the U.S., kills nearly 90,000 people each year. Addiction continues to shatter families and takes a significant toll on the country’s economy and social infrastructure (Shatterproof, 2017, p3).
Substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions go hand in hand. Co-occurring conditions involving addiction and mental health are common as both involve similar areas of the brain (Ogloff et al., 2015, p16). Mental disorders that commonly co-occur with addiction include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and mood disorders, conduct disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (SAMHSA, 2016, p1). In 2014, approximately 7.9 million (40% of all the addicts) people in the U.S. experienced addiction and a mental disorder simultaneously (SAMHSA, 2016, p1).
Social workers regularly deal with the complexities of people’s lives. Substance use is part of the issues and is usually combined with mental health. It is an issue that transverses all areas of social practice; from child protection to adult service user groups and their families or carers. Social work is a demanding job with numerous roles and requires the support of the management, but it is also rewarding as well. The roles of social workers include engagement, motivation and support, and supporting and maintaining change (Galvani, 2015, p7). Social workers apply some effective evidence-based psychosocial substance use disorder (SUD) treatment approaches which include cognitive behavior therapy, and contingency management among others (Wells et al., 2013, p286).
This paper highlights the aim and supports Shatterproof offers to people with problematic substance use. It also examines the roles and responsibilities of social workers from the perspective of the organization. Lastly, the paper looks into the various evidence-based psychosocial SUD treatment approaches employed by social workers.
Shatterproof
Goals and Programs
Shatterproof is a non-profit organization based in the U.S. dedicated to ending the devastating effects of addiction on families. It was founded in 2011 by Gary Mendell following his son’s death due to addiction. Shatterproof aims to transform America’s broken addiction treatment system as a better addition treatment will result in more lives saved (Shatterproof, 2018, p1). The organization led an initia...