Assignment
Josephs' Case Study
Joseph is a 32-year-old businessman who was involved in a car accident on his way home after having a couple of drinks at the local bar. He was referred for evaluation and treatment because at the time of the accident, his blood alcohol test showed .09, which was above the legal limit. He injured his arm and was prescribed Percocet 5mg 1 tablet every 4-6 hours for pain. Joseph continually uses his pain medication in combination with alcohol. He has been taking the pain medication more often than prescribed and went to the doctor to get another script.
Joseph grew up in the neighborhood where he and his wife now live. They have two children, ages 6 and 4 years. Joseph has several childhood friends who come to the bar, almost every day during the week, to have drinks and socialize. Joseph and his friends are also part of a bowling league, an event that allows for team building but they also drink heavily while they bowl. His father is also a frequent visitor to the bar, and has been for the past 40 years. Joseph's father drinks 4 to 5 drinks when he is at the bar, but he does not seem to have any significant problems related to drinking, except for his hypertension. Joseph drinks 3 to 5 beers at the bar and has recently started to take pain killers if they're available, but he does not feel that he has any drinking problems or drug problem because he does not drink at home except for wine with his evening meal.
Joseph is a prideful father and vowed to never become his father. Joseph's wife has brought up his excessive drinking but every time she tries to discuss it Joseph becomes frustrated and refuses to admit he has any problems with drinking. She has noticed that Joseph gets easily agitated with her and the kids. He also shook her by the shoulders in a fit of rage and she had to call the cops, however, he was not arrested. Joseph agreed to see a counselor but only went to one appointment and never returned.
The answers must be in written form and you must give a detailed explanation for each of your answers. I will not accept one-word answers!
A. Identify the substance abuse issue(s) with this case. Explain if there is a co-occurring disorder associated with this case. (Write out your answer, I.E.- the substance abuse issue is/ as evidenced by___).
B. Write out three protective factors and three risk factors and explain why you think those factors serve as either protective or risk factors.
C. What are some of the dangers associated with Joseph combining alcohol and Percocet's? Please explain the risks associated with this combination of drugs and what potential dangers may occur? (i.e. the person can OD and why...) (I will not accept just the outcome; I am looking for an explanation as to why the outcome is what it is).
D. How would you apply harm reduction techniques to Josephs' case? Give a couple of suggestions and why you think it will benefit him.
E. Identify the treatment options that you would suggest for Joseph in order to address his issues. Please do this in order of level of care and write out your suggestions for treatment.( for example: Would you suggest a detox? Why and or why not? and then the next, next, etc.