Exam 13: Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Disabilities

You work in a hospital with a chemical dependency unit. A new patient in the emergency room shows signs of paranoid schizophrenia, but a toxicology screen indicates he took cocaine. He is sent to your unit, and one week later, he still seems to show signs of paranoid schizophrenia but you are not a doctor). What do you do?

A man received a spinal cord injury three years ago in a driving accident while he was intoxicated. He says he did not have a drinking problem then, but he drinks more often and more heavily now. He also thinks he is clinically depressed. He lives alone, is on disability, and has difficulty going out. What do you recommend?

A woman with a traumatic brain injury starts smoking marijuana regularly. What might occur?

The order in which co-occurrences of mental disorders and substance use disorders appear .

Suppose you work in a local psychiatric hospital. A woman is admitted for the fourth time this year for experiencing acute psychotic episodes. According to her partner, she has complied with her medication regimen. What do you do?

You and a mental health professional simultaneously treat a client with co-occurring bipolar disorder and alcoholism. Together you coordinate services and approaches to treatment. This is an example of .

What eight similarities between mental illness and substance abuse exist according to Minkoff? Name at least five elements that treatment programs should including according to ASAM.

Substance use disorders dependence and abuse) are classified as disorders in the DSM-IV.

A teen diagnosed with a learning disability and ADHD is a user of marijuana and tobacco. She is having trouble socializing with other students in school. What might you recommend?

A new client is brought in by a group care facility manager. He is 22 years old, his IQ is 70, and he was recently mugged by patrons of a bar in which he was drinking. He never appears intoxicated, but he frequents the bar almost every night. Your assessment indicates that the client misuses alcohol. What do you recommend?

You are assessing a client with mental illness for substance use disorders. Time is limited. What screening tool do you use?

A deaf man comes to your chemical dependency facility and indicates that he requires treatment for alcoholism. Your facility does not have access to sign language interpreters. What might you do?

A disabled individual is .

The general alleviation of dysphoria theory states that .

Is a substance use disorder a disability? Discuss the ADA and your own opinion.

Why is it important for chemical dependency prevention and treatment specialists to have a knowledge of co-occurrence of substance use disorders and other disabilities? Why is important for them to know the individual who has the disability?

During an assessment for alcoholism, you learn that a youth has type 2 diabetes and self-injects insulin twice daily. She does not perceive that drinking alcohol could affect control of her diabetes. What might you recommend?

What is a dual diagnosis? Discuss the general outcomes for individuals with dual diagnoses. Discuss more specific problems for professionals treating such clients.

Under ADA employment provisions, those who use illegal drugs .

Physical disabilities are a concern when assessing and treating people who use drugs and alcohol. What are the effects of alcohol in people with heart disease, diabetes, and epilepsy? Discuss the potential for prescription drug abuse in people with chronic pain.