People that abuse substances have individual reasons for what first drove them to begin using these substances in the first place. Some clients started using them through experimentation, peer pressure, or curiosity. However, many users began using substances as a way of dealing with other issues in their lives, such as depression, anxiety, weight loss, or other physical or mental disorders. In still other cases, mental and physical disorders may result in response to chronic substance abuse. In these cases, it is important to determine what the co-occurring disorder is, as well as the substance abuse problem, in order to determine the best course of treatment.
Read the following scenario and then respond to the questions that follow:
You are a substance abuse counselor. Gregory, your new client, has come to you for help with his alcohol use problem. Gregory is married with three children and works as a sales representative for a large corporation in the city. In your first meeting with Gregory, you discover that his drinking began as a way to alleviate the anxiety he felt in social situations. Over time, Gregory began using alcohol more often. He found that every time he used alcohol, his anxiety lifted and he was able to be more at ease during work, out with colleagues, and at other such public events. Over time, Gregory realized he needed more alcohol than before to get the same anxiety relieving effects.
Two weeks ago, one of Gregory’s coworkers became suspicious that Gregory was drinking at work. That same day, while Gregory was driving home from work, he was pulled over by the police. He passed the field sobriety test and the officer let him off with a warning. These two events served as a wake-up call for Gregory as he realized his alcohol use may be beyond his control.
Gregory has made an appointment with you because he sincerely wants to curtail his alcohol use.
To help Gregory achieve his goals, write a paper that analyzes the components of his scenario. In your paper, ensure that you include the following information:

• Summarize the history and usefulness of the four major contemporary treatment modalities (crisis intervention, individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling).
• Evaluate Gregory’s dual diagnosis (also referred to as “co-occurring disorders”) and the implications for counseling. Keep the following questions in mind:
  • Describe the meaning of dual diagnosis and how it impacts counseling.
  • Classify Gregory’s primary and secondary diagnoses.
  • Analyze the implications in treating a secondary diagnosis.
• Evaluate the limitations for an alcohol and drug counselor when treating diagnoses other than those related to substance abuse. Describe the circumstances where the four treatment modalities might be useful in a dual diagnosis.
• Recommend at least one treatment modality for Gregory and explain your recommendation using at least two scholarly references.

Write a 4–5-page paper in Word format. Use scholarly resources, including your textbook, to support your ideas. Your paper must be in Word format and include a title page and reference page in addition to the 4-5-pages of content. Apply APA 6th edition standards to the format of the paper, and the citation of sources. PLEASE BE DETAILED ORIENTED.

Self-Help Evaluation

ThIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT
The self-help movement has swept the world of substance abuse treatment. A new client may not be aware of any treatment options open to them aside from those of self-help group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. While self-help groups are not a solution for every client, they have been shown to be useful in some cases.
As future substance abuse counselors, it is important that you explore and be aware of the different self-help groups and what goes on in these group meetings.
Begin this assignment by doing the following:
Attend a self-help group related to substance abuse. There are multiple options including AA Open Meetings, Al-Anon, Women for Sobriety, and so forth. Information is easily accessible on the Internet. Note that some meetings are closed while others are open. At Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), most weekly groups are closed; however, open meetings are held primarily on weekends when all are welcome to attend.
Information for your area can be obtained through “AA Intergroup” at http://aa-intergroup.org/.
Introduce yourself and let folks know that you are a student. Remember to follow the guidelines of confidentiality.
If you are unable to access a twelve-step group because one is not available in your area, either research an online self-help group or research the implications of self-help groups in general including their strengths and weaknesses.
Write a paper about your experience and make sure you cover the following:

1. Evaluate the self-help group you attended and/or researched. Critique the strengths and weaknesses of self-help groups in terms of their value in the treatment of substance abuse.
2. Hypothesize what types of clients would be a good match for the group that you attended and/or researched. What types of clients would not be a good match? Consider age, gender, culture, race, sexuality, religion/spirituality, and the severity of substance abuse. Include other evaluation criteria for differential treatment. Explain your reasoning.
3. Predict how self-help groups are evolving over time. How can technology be used to supplement and/or replace face-to-face support groups?
4. Appraise the effect on the group experience when involuntary clients are present. Include the effect to treatment, counseling, and collaboration.
5. Recommend several ways to overcome resistance. How may technology be used to overcome resistance to treatment? Include collaboration issues involved in the treatment of involuntary clients using technology.

Write a paper in Word format and make sure you include a title page and reference page in addition to the 6–8-pages of content. Apply APA 6th edition standards to the format of the paper, and the citation of sources.
Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.
By the due date assigned, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.
Review the detailed grading rubric.

Reference

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (n.d.). Online intergroup. Retrieved from http://aa-intergroup.org/

ThIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria Maximum Points Evaluate the self-help group attended/researched and critique the strengths and weaknesses of self-help groups as a valuable treatment modality.
Hypothesize the types of clients that would match to the group attended/researched. Considered age, gender, culture, race, sexuality, severity of substance abuse, religion/spirituality, and other evaluation criteria for differential treatment. Explain reasoning.
Predict the evolution of self-help groups, including the ways in which technology could support or replace face-to-face groups.
Appraise the effect on the group experience when involuntary clients are present. Include the treatment, counseling, and collaboration.
Recommend several ways to overcome resistance and how technology might be used to this purpose. Include collaboration issues involved in treating involuntary clients.
ThIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT.