Think about how community treatment and couple and family therapy can all play a role in helping someone with a substance use disorder.
Regarding various medications and how drugs work, think about how this information can assist with treatment. What might be the results of an overdose on someone with a substance use disorder? Are there medications out there that might help that person?
CASE STUDY
I’m Sue. I work as a nurse at the hospital downtown. I’ve got three beautiful children. They are the center of my life, I’d do anything for them. That’s why I’m here. After my youngest was born, the docs gave me Clonazepam for postpartum. I’ve never been able to get off it, because it helps keep me chill with all the stress. My life is very stressful!
I use a few different doctors to prescribe it — I’m not buying anything on the street or anything. It’s all legally prescribed. I have to be careful so my work doesn’t find out. So far, no one seems to have noticed. I know I should quit before they do. How long can I keep it a secret? What if I lose my job? What would happen to my kids?
I grew up in the ‘70s when drugs were no big deal! I’m 42 now. We thought we could do anything. Black woman? No problem. There was going to be race equality, gender equality. It was up to us to make it happen. I went to college, got my RN. Now they want us all to have a bachelor’s degree. I tried going back to college but it’s hard to get much schoolwork done. It’s probably the Clonazepam. I know all the side effects and know it makes leaves me drowsy. But without it, I just can’t deal, you know. The pills help make it all bearable. I’ve had two car wrecks in the past couple of years. I was so tired, I just drove off the road. I got a slight concussion in the last one. And my insurance rates are sky high now.
I tried a virtual 12-step, so I could go somewhere no one would recognize me. But, I didn’t feel like I belonged. They were all hard-core users. You know, real problems with street drugs. I have an amazing family and great friends. But none of them know I use. I don’t want them to know. I mean, I do all right. I make decent money and we live in a decent apartment. My kids have a much better life than I did.
My dad drank some, but mom was always on him about it. I don’t remember it being much, though. No one else in the family has a history of drugs or alcohol. Well, except my brother. He’s been doing pot since high school. But it’s legal now and I’ve heard it’s not addictive.
