PSYC FPX 4300 Assessment 3 I’ve Got you Pegged Treatment Plan

PSYC FPX 4300 Assessment 3 I’ve Got you Pegged Treatment Plan

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC FPX 4300 Introduction to Addiction Treatment

Prof. Name:

Date

Assessment and Treatment Recommendations

Client Name: Michael
Assessment Date: October 3, 2022

Substance Use History

Follow-on question:
1) Have these drugs ever been used in combination?
Based on the information provided in the case study, Michael has not combined these drugs with any other substances.

Consequences

Physical Consequences (Describe the physical consequences the client has experienced from substance use)
Michael has not reported any physical consequences from his substance use, except for feeling “good to go” after taking four to five pills daily. He has not disclosed the reason for his Xanax use (Case Study, 2022).

Psychological Consequences (Describe the psychological consequences the client has experienced from substance use)
Psychologically, Michael feels compelled to hide his Xanax use from his parents and school to avoid getting into trouble. He appears somewhat defiant towards his parents and resentful of their lack of attention due to their divorce. Additionally, he is affected by the fact that his parents are unaware of his sexual orientation, though he does not seem personally troubled by this but perceives that they might have an issue due to their strong religious beliefs.

Medical Concerns (Describe any medical concerns that might relate to substance use)
Michael mentioned that his mother is seeing a therapist, possibly due to depression or anxiety following the divorce, though he is unsure. There are no other medical concerns related to his Xanax use.

Past Treatment History (Describe any past treatment history for substance use, mental health concerns, or other related issues)
Michael has not undergone any prior treatment for substance use, health concerns, or related issues. He stated that he obtained Xanax by deceiving his doctor (Case Study, 2022). He also noted that his parents have a history of drinking, but not to an extent he considers problematic.

Environmental Factors

Residential (Describe their living situation)
Michael lives with his mother due to the divorce, and he visits his father every other weekend.

Social support system (Describe their social support system including: family, friends, social groups)
Michael’s parents are preoccupied with their divorce, paying little attention to him and his brother. His brother was suspended from high school for smoking marijuana. Michael’s current friends also use Xanax, and they frequently share or sell it among themselves.

Family and Family History

Family History of Use (Describe if family members use or have a history of using substances)
Michael reported that both of his parents consume alcohol in what he describes as a normal amount. His older brother smokes marijuana. There are no other known family members with a history of substance use.

Family Mental Health History (Describe if family members have a current or past history of mental health problems and/or treatment)
Michael’s mother is currently seeing a therapist for issues related to the divorce, possibly related to anxiety or depression. There are no other known family mental health issues.

Current Additional Status To Consider

Educational (Describe client’s educational level and if they are currently in school)
Michael is in his final year of middle school and is expected to start high school next year.

Financial (Describe client’s employment and financial situation)
There is no information available about Michael’s financial or employment situation. Given that he is a minor, it is likely that he is too young to work.

Legal (Describe if client has current or past legal problems)
Michael has no known legal issues.

Motivation for Treatment (Describe if the client thinks they have a problem, if they plan to stop or reduce their use of substances, and why they are seeking treatment)
Michael is not actively seeking treatment for his substance use. He may be seeing a doctor due to his parents’ divorce. Michael has not expressed concern about his substance use, though he has acknowledged other issues in his life.

Recommended assessment measures (what additional assessments or tests would you recommend)
I would recommend assessing Michael’s reasons for using Xanax to explore the underlying issues further. There may be deeper emotional factors influencing his substance use.

Clinical Assessment (Describe the client’s diagnosis, if any. Support with evidence from client’s history and from scholarly literature—this should be one to two pages)
Michael exhibits signs of Xanax abuse, taking the drug daily in doses of four to five pills. His consistent use and the quantity indicate a dependency on the substance. Although he has not disclosed why he takes Xanax, he reports feeling “good” after consuming the pills. Michael has developed a tolerance to the drug, needing higher doses to achieve the desired effect. According to the DSM-5, tolerance is defined as the need for increased doses to achieve the same effect (DSM-5, 2022). Michael’s case aligns with a DSM-5 diagnosis of substance abuse, with the ICD-10 code F19 for anxiolytic drug abuse. Unfortunately, Michael has provided limited information on how Xanax affects him physically or mentally.

PSYC FPX 4300 Assessment 3 I’ve Got you Pegged Treatment Plan

The DSM-5 estimates that approximately 0.3% of individuals aged 13–17 are affected by anxiolytic abuse (DSM-5, 2022). Anxiolytics include benzodiazepines, carbamates, barbiturates, and barbiturate-like hypnotics, which have sedative effects. Prescription sleeping medications and most anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax, fall into this category. Symptoms of abuse include poor performance in school or work, absenteeism, or suspension/expulsion. Other symptoms include neglect of responsibilities, such as childcare or household duties.

Factors supporting the diagnosis of substance abuse in Michael’s case include his tolerance to the drug and his daily usage. Environmental factors, such as his parents’ divorce, may also contribute to his substance use, though he has not explicitly stated this. Michael also shows signs of frustration with being left alone or ignored, which could be influencing his drug use. Additionally, the ease with which Michael can obtain Xanax from friends normalizes the behavior within his social circle.

Treatment Recommendations (Provide treatment recommendations for this client. Be sure to consider: financial/insurance resources, willingness to change, culture and diversity, and severity of use. Support recommendations with evidence from scholarly sources. This should be one or two pages)
As a teenager, Michael’s parents would need to initiate treatment for him. I believe that with their involvement, he would be open to seeking help. Michael seems to feel neglected due to his parents’ divorce, which may be contributing to his substance use. He has not expressed reluctance to seek help, so if his parents addressed the issue, he might be willing to participate in treatment.

PSYC FPX 4300 Assessment 3 I’ve Got you Pegged Treatment Plan

Substance abuse treatment typically involves four phases: palliative care, stabilization, rehabilitation, and maintenance (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2019). Palliative care is the initial step, where the problem is recognized, and help is sought. During this phase, a doctor or family member may encourage further treatment. Stabilization focuses on managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing for the next phase. Rehabilitation addresses individual needs and goals to change the patterns of substance abuse. The maintenance phase involves strategies to prevent relapse and sustain recovery.

Michael would benefit from therapy and rehabilitation to reduce or eliminate his drug use. Therapy could help him cope with the stress of his parents’ divorce and the transition to high school, a challenging time for many teenagers. A clinical therapist could explore the underlying issues contributing to his Xanax use and provide coping strategies to manage his anxiety and other emotional challenges without relying on drugs.

Ethical Considerations

(Describe any ethical considerations relevant to this case. Include: Client confidentiality, multiple relationships, etc.)

Ethical considerations in this case include Michael’s status as a minor. Despite his age, therapists and doctors are still required to maintain confidentiality and follow professional codes of conduct, which means they cannot disclose information to his parents without his consent. While his parents will likely want to know his diagnosis and treatment plan, they must navigate the ethical guidelines that protect Michael’s confidentiality.

References

Case Study (2022). Capella University, Michael.

DSM-5 (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. https://doi-org.library.capella.edu/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Miller, W. R., Forcehimes, A. A., & Zweben, A. (2019). Treating Addiction (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications, Inc. https://capella.vitalsource.com/books/9781462542376