CH.31 - Treatment of SUDs

Question 1

What is the therapeutic relationship?

Answer 1

• The relationship between the client and the counselor.

- This is critical to the success of the rehabilitation process.

Question 2

Compare out-patient vs. in-patient detoxification for opiate-dependent patients…

Answer 2

withdrawal from opiates is rarely life threatening, but because of the of the tendency to relapse, in-patient “detox” is usually more successful than out-patient detoxification for opiates.

Question 3

What is “harm reduction” treatment?

Answer 3

• The “harm reduction” (HR) model does not attempt to help the individual abstain from chemicals, at least not at first. It is based on the assumption that it is possible to change behavior(s) of individuals who have SUD’s over time, reducing the immediate consequences of their continued substance abuse.
• Eventually, it is hoped, individuals will accept abstinence as a goal, bet even if they do not they are reducing the damage being done by their use of chemicals.

Question 4

Is treatment essential to abstain from alcohol?

Answer 4

yes

Question 5

What is the role of the therapist in SUD treatment?

Answer 5

• The therapist who works with individuals with SUDs must “possess many characteristics, some of which include genuineness, empathy, modeling of the desired behaviors, and an appropriately humorous outlook.”
• The therapist should be adept at guiding the client toward recovery rather than telling them what to do
• Thus, their job is to assist and guide, not to demand or order clients about in their search for the answer(s).

Question 6

How are treatment goals designed for the patient?

Answer 6

• The patient and therapist develop mutually accepted goals, and specific objectives are identified.
• They are designed by identifying the problem, assigning it as a long or short term goal, then develop methodologies of how to accomplish that goal.

Question 7

Is there a high “repeat” rate for SUD patients that have gone through detox?

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

Does acupuncture have a place in SUD treatment according to the text?

Answer 8

• It is identified as a “alternative medicine” that has been utilized on occasion for SUDs and reports suggest that the procedure has a calming effect on the patient and reduces cravings for alcohol or drugs
• However, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness on SUDs

Question 9

What is the “individual” therapy approach?

Answer 9

Long viewed as being less effective than therapy groups, individual therapy offers the advantage of allowing clients to discuss issues that they find too personal to discuss in a group format. They can discuss these issues with an individual therapist whom they have an established therapeutic relationship.

Question 10

Is there a great deal of research on group therapy formats in rehab programs to determine effectiveness?

Answer 10

No