Clinical Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders: Evidence-Based Practices and Future Perspectives in Social Work
Overview
This discussion forum response analyzes Straussner's article on clinical treatment approaches for substance use disorders, examining evidence-based practices including pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapies, and harm reduction. The student critically engages with the article's treatment methodologies and debates the legalization and medicinal applications of marijuana, questioning the applicability of twelve-step facilitation therapy in different cultural contexts like China.
What this coursework covers
- Article review of evidence-based treatment approaches for substance abuse including substitution therapy, pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and harm reduction
- Critical analysis of twelve-step facilitation therapy's applicability in non-Western contexts, specifically China's treatment infrastructure and resource constraints
- Argument in favor of medical marijuana legalization, discussing therapeutic benefits for chronic diseases while acknowledging side effects and regulatory considerations
Preview
Discussion Forum for a Social Work Class
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Discussion Forum for a Social Work Class
Article Review
According to the article, "Clinical Treatment of Substance Abusers: Past, Present and Future," by Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner, 9% of the US population are characterized by substance use disorder. The article channel through various treatment approaches within the evidenced-based practices through the lens of the social workers. Some of the article's approaches include substitution and pharmacotherapy for patients with opiate addiction and pharmacotherapy for the addicted alcoholic patients. The article also includes behavioral therapies and contingency management practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, harm reduction, twelve-step facilitation therapy, and other approaches such as mindfulness mediation. The author concluded by postulating about the future standing regarding substance use disorders, especially questioning the controversial issue of marijuana.
Though some substances such as marijuana are considered an abusive drug, it has beneficial standing to the user, thus creating a diversified opinion on its legalization. Though the drug is currently illegal, different practitioners have a different opinion on the matter. The author calls for further research, which is a good opinion since some drugs such as marijuana have both positive and negative impacts on the user. Junyou Chen also seconds the article by providing an overview of the article while formulating questions based on the article and the future projection of substance use disorder.