Treatment Interventions
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Grand Canyon University *
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CNL 501-05
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Arts Humanities
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Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Treatment Interventions
Stephanie A. Flores
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
CNL 501: Substance Use Disorders and Addictions
Dr. Larena Davis
July 12th, 2023
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Treatment Interventions
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to discuss the use of empirically researched substance use disorder treatment interventions, and exemplify an understanding of both faith-based treatment interventions as well as solution focused treatment interventions alongside the differences between these two approaches to treatment. Additionally, this essay will provide an in depth explanation of my preferred method to use for treatment and the benefits and risks associated with both. Special consideration will be made to a multitude of factors to consider when choosing a method of intervention.
Empirically Researched Substance Use Disorder Treatment Interventions
Empirical research is knowledge through research that has been observed and experienced versus theorized. These intervention methods are typically observed a multitude of times in order to test the reliability of the information gathered and can provide knowledge on the effectiveness of certain approaches to treatment. Many empirically researched substance use treatment interventions can also be used to understand how they address not only the presenting substance use disorder, but also other issues that co-occur or are caused by the substance use disorder such as other medical conditions, and even social relationships in the clients life (McGovern & Carroll 2003). This is beneficial in substance use disorder interventions and used to ensure through proven methods of treatment that the specified approach will be a beneficial option for a client.
A Brief Overview of Faith-Based Perspective
Faith-based interventions provide the same opportunities towards treatment as non faith-
based interventions. Faith-based organizations (FBO) can provide intervention options such as
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inpatient and outpatient care, residential treatment facilities and even intensive outpatient groups (Adedoyin, et al., 2014). The structure and dynamic of faith-based interventions provides a unique approach to treatment for individuals who may be looking to incorporate spirituality and religion into their treatment. A faith-based perspective to substance use treatment incorporates aspects of spirituality such as life meaning, prayer, religious morals and beliefs. Moreover, Adedoyin, et al. (2014) found that families who practice a form of religious faith are united and resilient in coming together to face adversity and challenges in life. This perspective provides a framework for both the client and the family to work towards recovery. A Brief Overview of Solution-Focused Interventions
According to Karababa (2023), the main therapeutic task in solution-focused therapy (SFT) is to identify what the client wants to change and think of what it would take to do that. Solution-focused interventions can be beneficial for clients who are wanting to work on behaviors that can elicit change currently, rather than spend time delving into past trauma, gaining insight, and/or searching for meaning in previous experiences, because of the belief that this would take away from the identified goal. Moreover, Linton (2005) notes that many counselors who use solution-focused interventions in substance use treatment are of the belief that understanding the problem is not necessary and oftentimes unrelated to the solution to the problem. This form of intervention takes a more positive approach to re-orienting the clients perspective to positive aspects that can be expanded upon and utilized for the purpose of finding solutions to the identified problem. Differences Between Faith-Based and Solution Focused Interventions
The main difference between faith-based and solution-focused interventions is the inclusion of spirituality and religion in faith-based interventions. Faith-based methods can focus
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on all aspects of a client's life when working through treatment including past, present, and future experiences, whereas solution-focused therapy focuses on the present and future and looks
to the past only as a source of information for possible solutions. In terms of length of treatment, solution-focused interventions are more brief and are not drawn out in consistent sessions over the course of several months or longer, but instead shorter, less frequent sessions. Faith based treatment interventions also tend to have more of a focus on meeting collective social functioning skills through group interventions. Adedoyin et al. (2014) discusses how organizations employing faith-based interventions meet these social functioning skills through fostering togetherness and energizing the “social heritage of the group” resulting in an environment that promotes self-discipline and well being. Faith-Based or Solution-Focused Interventions
Of the two methods discussed, the intervention approach that I would prefer to use when counseling is faith-based interventions. The reason I prefer this method is because of the holistic approach that it provides, and because the intervention approach can be incorporated into treatment methods for a wide variety of clients. Baptiste-Roberts, et al., (2021) note that in several national studies, over half of Americans identify with religion being a very important part
of their lives. With this in mind, I believe that when incorporating spirituality and religion into treatment interventions, many aspects of this such as the meaning and purpose of life and forgiveness can provide guidance and an important foundation for individuals who are seeking help with substance use disorders and addiction. Furthermore, there is consistent evidence that both spirituality and religion are negatively associated with illicit substance use and as a result can provide motivation for eliminating use altogether. From my personal morals and values, I am
of the belief that many humans naturally are searching for deeper meaning in life, and spirituality
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can be a source of comfort, motivation, and guidance for many individuals who are struggling in life. It is also important to note that although faith-based interventions have many benefits, a risk with the incorporation of spirituality and religion is the inability to see how a client continues on in their religious practices and how this affects their substance use over the course of their lives, as some individuals may have changes in religious beliefs over their lifetime that can negatively or positively affect their disorder. Although I have a preference for faith-based methods, solution
focused interventions do have benefits and risks to consider as a treatment option and can be a viable option for some clients. Solution-focused therapy can be a brief and effective form of therapy, providing a quick solution for clients who are open and collaborative with their counselor on implementing the chosen solutions to their lives and being consistent. Additionally,
with solution focused therapy, the client and counselor can work through a multitude of solutions
and if a solution doesn’t work, from this perspective, rather than seeing it as a failure on the part of the client, Linton (2005) explains how the counselor and client can deem the solution ineffective and move on to explore other methods to solve the identified problem. The risk with solution-focused therapy is that it may not fit with a majority of clients who are looking to work with more traditional approaches to therapy and interventions such as the 12-step program dynamic, and the resistance to this style of intervention may prove to make it ineffective. Additionally, because solution-focused therapy is such a brief approach to therapy, the rate of relapse may increase for certain patients who need a more long-term and consistent method of treatment. Special Considerations
With any chosen method of intervention, especially for substance use, specific considerations need to be made because of the way that substance use can affect clients
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depending on a number of factors such as age, developmental level, disabilities, culture, etc. For example, someone’s cultural upbringing can limit the types of intervention methods that they can
choose from. Additionally, developmental level and disabilities have an effect on a client's ability to understand or implement specific intervention strategies and special consideration needs to be made to accommodate these clients to ensure they are receiving the utmost quality of
care and the treatment approaches can meet their needs. Additionally, age needs to be taken into consideration because of the way substance use disorders can affect younger individuals development and progression of the disorder. Lal & Singh, (2018) found that it is important for counselors to have an understanding of the way biological and psychosocial influence the initiation and progression of dependence. The aforementioned special considerations and additionally including personality, developmental influences, and quality of life all play a role in how effective an intervention will be and need to be understood prior to exploring intervention options.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing counselors and counseling students benefit from an in-depth understanding of various approaches to interventions. It is especially important to understand how spirituality and religion can be incorporated into invention methods and be an option for clients specifically seeking treatment options surrounding this form of intervention. While counselors can have a preferred approach to treatment interventions, it is important for them to understand various empirically researched substance use disorder interventions in order to provide their clients with the best possible treatment option for them. While a preferred method can have its benefits, it does come with risks as with all methods of counseling and all clients should have the option to explore the best option unique to them. Finally, all counselors should
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take into consideration different factors clients may need accommodations for when selecting and creating a treatment plan. Developmental level, age, cultural affiliation, and disabilities are among some of the special considerations that can determine the effectiveness of an approach from client to client.
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References
Adedoyin, C., Beacham, J., & Jackson, M. S. (2014). Support Systems Provided by Faith-Based Organizations to Families of Clients Undergoing Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 24(5), 589–596. https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10911359.2014.914829
Baptiste-Roberts, K., Werts, N., Coleman, K., & Hossain, M. (2021). Religious Beliefs, Treatment Seeking, and Treatment Completion among Persons with Substance Abuse Problems. Addiction & Health, 13
(1), 9–17. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.22122/ahj.v13i1.293
Karababa, A. (2023). A Meta-Analysis of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for School-Related Problems in Adolescents. RESEARCH ON SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE.
https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/10497315231170865
Lal, R., & Singh, S. (2018). Assessment tools for screening and clinical evaluation of psychosocial aspects in addictive disorders. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60, S444–S450.
https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_12_18
Linton, J. M. (2005). Mental health counselors and substance abuse treatment: Advantages, difficulties, and practical issues to solution-focused interventions. (2005). Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 27
(4), 297–310. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.17744/mehc.27.4.qpj656h044442370
McGovern, M. P., & Carroll, K. M. (2003). Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders. The Psychiatric clinics of North America, 26
(4), 991–1010. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(03)00073-x