The worldwide prevalence of substance abuse is on the rise and becoming a major social problem and health hazard globally. In light of the magnitude of drug abuse and the adverse health and social consequences, it has on the society sustained medical research is vital to reduce and curb the menace. A diverse assortment of substances are continuing to be created and emerging due to urbanisation and targeting all kinds of users from the rich to the poor. Substance abuse counsellors provide the necessary support system for individuals to help combat this continuing widespread adverse health problem. It is crucial for counsellors to have the required expertise and specialization in this area.
INTRODUCTION
The term substance abuse refers to the excessive and recurrent use of substances such as nicotine, alcohol, prescription medicine and narcotic drugs to the point that it becomes detrimental to the health of the consumer. The repetitive use can lead to dependency syndrome which results in addiction or substance use disorder. Addiction is considered a disease that impacts the human brain interfering with one's mental and physical health. In many cases, substance abuse is preventable and can be managed successfully. However, addiction is a chronic disorder, and if left untreated it can be life-threatening and lead to death. Loss of control over drug intake leads to overdosing which is the current major cause of death due to substance abuse.
Counselling is a beneficial process of substance abuse treatment for many people. Substance abuse counselling is meant to help individuals identify behaviour that drives the use and problems related to their addiction to drugs and alcohol abuse. It is also supposed to empower and help to recover abusers from breaking free from their habit, rebuilding their lives and relationships damaged as a result of the disruptive effects of their disorder. There are many counselling and treatment approaches and models used in substance abuse counselling depending on the different aspects of addiction.
A combination of behavioural therapy and medication should be both incorporated during counselling to meet an individual patient's needs for the best possible outcomes.
PROCEDURES FOR TREATMENT
It is important to note that counselling psychologists in whichever field of specialisation are bound to come across clients or patients dealing with substance abuse. It is because most people who have a mental disorder are likely to engage in drug use and other mind-altering substances to try and deal with their issues such as bipolar, anxiety and depression. This area of expertise in counselling career does require significant skills, however psychologists in whichever counselling career field are still expected to be equipped with knowledge in the treatment of substance abusers. Most psychologists use their experience and expertise to deal with rehabilitated individuals or those doing self-treatment to deal with the problem.
Counselling psychologists also use their expertise in the assessment of a patient and employ specific strategies to assess the client entirely. A counsellor should also be familiar with any nearby mental and rehabilitation centres that can be recommended in case of a referral. Referrals are as a result of agreement from both the counsellor and the patient, and the period for rehabilitation is also determined. Another form of treatment where the patient may not have to be admitted at a rehabilitation centre, but preferably they are treated from home and one can also join rehabilitation groups or group counselling sessions.
Treatment of a drug addict depends on the type of the drug abused and the period in which the user has been consuming it. The process of termination may be severe, and the patient might encounter specific withdrawal symptoms. It is one of the methods of treatment and is therefore of prime importance. It takes real courage and determination from the patient, as this stage is painful and disturbing. The patient stays away and refrains from using the drug until the body stops being dependent on the drug previously consumed. The rehabilitation process encompasses all areas of a person's life including social, physical, and mental health aspects.
Another thing to consider during the treatment process is the health status of a patient. Have they been diagnosed with any health condition or complication? It is a factor that also determines the type of treatment method one will undergo. During treatment, a patient is provided with information on the mental, physical, social and emotional effects that abuse of drugs has on a person.
Methods of recovery and management of stress skills are also taught. One is shown how to improve themselves and how to cope without being dependent on the earlier-abused drug. As earlier indicated, other patients may require medical intervention and hospitalisation in severe cases. For example, alcohol abusers could be administered with an antagonist of narcotics which makes one rigid or sensitive to alcohol.
Physiotherapy Treatment
Patients also need some form of physical therapy which is vital during the rehabilitation process. In this case, patients are helped to restore a healthy lifestyle and activeness which might have deteriorated during the period of substance abuse. Abuse of drugs causes physical inactiveness where one is unable to function normally. Muscles and joints could also be affected, leading to the weakening. Physical exercising is therefore encouraged to such patients to restore mobility and strength. Abuse of a substance like alcohol could lead to diseases like arthritis, palsy and compression of the nerves, due to intoxication and poor interventions to guard against cold as most people go to drink at night. Thus, helping a patient gain physical fitness goes a long way in strengthening and regaining weakened muscles. Patients with either impaired or weakened level of coordination are treated through physical exercises. These exercises help to restore fitness and healthy habits which promote overall wellness to the patient.
Physiotherapy is also vital in maintaining a patient's health even later in life which will guard against catching other diseases. Exercise also offers patients who are dependent on drugs to develop a positive attitude and refrain from having to use the drugs. Proper physical training improves blood flow in the body and thus improves cognitive functioning in individuals.
Additionally, psychotherapy treatments which include counselling and therapy help a patient to acquire knowledge on how to combat cases of relapses and temptations.
INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
A higher percentage of drug abusers are women since they are easily progressive to addiction more than men. Thus, such issues must be brought forward to both parents when raising awareness about drug abuse. Many women have had a traumatic childhood or may come from a family where there were cases of addiction or drug abuse. Others are harassed or mistreated while they were young, which could be a cause for engaging in the use of drugs to cope with their situation. Others develop Substance use disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Treatment that focuses mainly on gender is paying close attention to women as cases of substance abuse in women are rising day by day. Women are very vulnerable to substance abuse due to postnatal depression which comes about as a result of childbirth.
Organisations involved in child-care support work diligently to make sure that parents look after their children accordingly. Sometimes those officials might mistake a substance use disorder for a mental disorder. Parents are usually screened in order to identify if there are any indicators of substance abuse, leading to child neglect. They are also asked a series of questions to determine if they are of sound mind. In any case, where the parent is unable to answer the required questions, the children are then taken care of by the state.
In case drugs are found with the parents, or there are indicators of the possibility of that, the parents are then further evaluated, and the children are in turn tested for any involvement of drug use or the effect on the parent's behaviours.
EFFECTS ON CHILDREN FROM SUBSTANCE-ABUSING PARENTS
In most instances, the children themselves start using and experimenting with drugs. Some do not, drugs but face traumatic moments and chaotic life. Living with alcohol or drug-abusing parents is very difficult and challenging, especially if they are abusive or neglect the children. They risk being abandoned and uncared for by their parents. It affects their general wellbeing and health, as some do not get their basic needs catered for in the right manner. These children may feel inadequate and unloved, and they may keep their family situation a secret, due to embarrassment. Other children may also express their frustrations through bullying others.
Some choose to assume their parents' role and take care of their siblings. They try to be perfect and do everything right, to not become like their parents and becomes a pressure for them. Children born from substance-abusing parents come into the world with many complications. It depends on the type of drug abused by the mother, the time of the pregnancy, and the quantity of the substance used. It impacts heavily on a child's future, his health and behaviours.
Children are also consulted about their parent's situation, and advice is given by the health-providers or those in custody of the child. They are encouraged not to feel guilty for their parent's actions. In a case where one only one of the parents is a substance abuser while the other is not, the latter may feel pressure since all the roles of a parent are weighed on them, and they also have to take care of the one with the disorder.
It is vital for such stable parents to receive support and encouragement from friends and also therapists. It will propel them to work harder at taking care of their family. One goal they should be helped to set is that they cannot change their partner's condition and that it is never their fault they became that way.
THE PROCESS OF RECUPERATION
This process is not the treatment process. Both are equally independent. After treatment, a patient then moves to the recovery process. This is a process of healing and regaining one's former state although not entirely, but gradual recovery. It is regaining one's control over their lives once again. It also means coming to terms with one's condition and making necessary adjustments to make their lives better. Thus, it is a continuing process. Some say it goes on for survival.
Recuperation is the process of acquiring healthy ways of living. After treatment, a person seeks to promote health status and live a potentially valuable life. This process also encompasses all aspects of decision-making in a person after going through treatment. There are various phases of recovering that include:
Transformation/ Conversion
This phase is immediately after one goes through treatment. This is where you recognise that the drug had control while you don't, and you accept that.
Balance
This is the second stage after transformation and self-identification. Here, the patient encounters a balance over life and can be in charge of his life.
Phase one- Recuperation
One changes their earlier behaviours and adopts positive ones to promote stability and happy life to them and their children or loved ones.
Phase two- Recuperation
One reconstructs their life and works to rebuild relationships that were lost or broken during the substance abuse period.
Phase three-Recuperation
In this last phase, one identifies areas of his or her life that made them adopt their substance abuse behaviour. It may be children, parents, associates, or any other influences.
Management Phase
Finally, one is now able to live a life free from dependence on drugs, without having to go back to substance abuse.
It is not always the case that patients who have undergone treatment will automatically recuperate and recover. Some do not accept recovery at all, while others merely refuse to recuperate and relapse. It is evident that the process of substance use and addiction is a very tough period for most people, and some do not get out of alive. Therefore, counsellors are of significance during the rehabilitation period, to inform and remind the addicts about the importance of recovering from their state.
Involvement with substance-abusing parents who are not yet addicted
There are those parents whose children are under the child welfare system even though they are not diagnosed as substance-abuse dependent. They are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and this can also impact negatively on their children. Professionals working for child welfare associations should be approachable to parents and talk openly about their use of alcohol or drugs by briefly intervening them. This is to ensure that they have gotten the exact situation in that household.
The social work officials should work to enhance behaviour change in parents involved in substance abuse since children are the most affected when it comes to addiction and drug abuse. Such parents should be made aware of the implications that their behaviour could have on their kids and people close to them. They should be adequately advised to meditate on their lives and advocate for change. If they are not willing to change, adequate measures should be taken into consideration and substance-abusing parents taken into rehabilitation and treatment as their children are taken care of.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of counsellors in substance abuse counselling is to assist drug abusers to come to terms with their behaviours and the effect they have on them and others around them. Counsellors help addicts and drug-dependent individuals to accept their condition and make changes in their lives. However, extraordinary skill and experience are needed when handling individuals fighting addiction. Counsellors need to apply tactics and specific strategies while diagnosing patients with substance use disorders and drug abusers.
Work cited
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Carswell, S. B., et al. "The daily progress system: A proof of concept pilot study of a recovery support technology tool for outpatient substance abuse treatment." The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse 44.3 (2018): 294-301.
Ross, Sydelle. "Chronic pain, mental health and substance use disorders: How can we manage this triad in our health care system and in our communities?" Columbia Medical Review1.1 (2018).
Winters, Ken C., et al. "Adolescent substance abuse treatment: A review of evidence-based research." Adolescent Substance Abuse. Springer, Cham, 2018. 141-171
