In order to diagnose and make a treatment plan for the SUD patient
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Grand Canyon University *
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Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by enrimar2096
In order to diagnose and make a treatment plan for the SUD patient, the counselor has to have
an understanding of tolerance, synergetic effects, and withdrawal.
When someone has a
substance use disorder, they usually build up a tolerance to the substance, meaning they need
larger amounts to feel the effects. Then, if you go to a period of not having it, then that is when
you experience withdraw symptoms.
The synergetic effect happens when you drink alcohol and ingest some kind of drug or a mix of
two drugs that enhances the effects when given in combination.
Potential issues can arise if the counselor does not have knowledge of it.
These process
considerations in counseling clients with substance abuse problems hold to be true for specialists
in this area and for counselors working in school, rehabilitation, mental health, and social work
settings.
The counselor’s emphasis is on the person not the substance abuse problem. Additional
knowledge and skill on the part of the counselor relates to being able to assess the extent and
impact of a client’s substance abuse problem and the client’s need to change.
Thus,
a medical professional should conduct a formal assessment of symptoms to identify if a
substance use disorder is present. And because SUDs affect many aspects of a person’s life,
multiple types of treatment are often required. For most, a combination of medication and
individual or group therapy is most effective. Treatment approaches that address an individual’s
specific situation and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems is optimal for
leading to sustained recovery.
Medications are used to control drug cravings, relieve symptoms of withdrawal, and to prevent
relapses. Psychotherapy can help individuals with SUD better understand their behavior and
motivations, develop higher self-esteem, cope with stress, and address other psychiatric
problems.
References:
Hector Colon-Rivera, M. C. (December 2020 ). What Is a Substance Use Disorder?
American
Psychiatric Association
. Retrieved from psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-
substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder
Sales, A. (n.d.). Substance Abuse and Counseling: A Perspective.
American Counseling
Association
, 2. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/eric
%20digests/99-04.pdf
The Synergistic Effect of Combining Drugs and Alcohol (Drug DUI). (2023).
Pallegar Law, P.A.
Retrieved from https://www.pallegarlawfirm.com/the-synergistic-effect-of-combining-
drugs-and-alcohol-drug-dui.html#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Csynergistic%20effect
%E2%80%9D%20happens%20when,may%20feel%20more%20like%20three.
Tolerance and withdrawal. (2023).
Khan Academy
. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/executive-systems-of-the-
brain/drug-abuse-and-drug-addictions/v/tolerance-and-withdrawal
Tallarida R. J. (2011). Quantitative methods for assessing drug synergism.
Genes &
cancer
,
2
(11), 1003–1008. https://doi.org/10.1177/1947601912440575
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