SOCW 6443 WK 11 Discussion 1: Medication Adherence and Interprofessional Collaboration “Why won’t they just take their pills?” The reasons for medication non-adherence can be complex. Just because a person is prescribed medication does not mean that they will take that medication. What is the role of a social worker in this situation? While it…

WK 2 SOCW 6443:  Assignment: Client Advocacy and Connecting Neurobiology to Psychopharmacological Interventions An awareness of neurobiology and neurotransmitters establishes the critical basis for mental health professionals to understand the connection between psychopathology and psychopharmacological interventions. Mental health professionals use their awareness of the complex interactions between neurobiology, neurochemistry, and psychotropic medications to conceptualize client…

WK 1 SOCW 6443 Discussion 2: Ethical Dilemas for Mental Health Professionals Mental health professionals are charged with the task of assisting their clients’ efforts in obtaining the best care available to them. Often, this might mean making recommendations and referrals, teaming with other medical and mental health professionals, and developing and expanding competencies to…

1 PAGE Required Readings Heinrich, C. J., & Cummings, G. R. (2014). Adoption and diffusion of evidence‐based addiction medications in substance abuse treatment. Health services research, 49(1), 127-152. Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Evidence-based practices resource center. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/ebp-resource-center U.S. Department of Health and Human…

Discussion: Social Change Through Legislation The repercussions of addiction are among the most pressing health and social issues worldwide. Although billions of dollars are spent annually in the United States attacking the problem, public policies on funding have yet to be agreed upon and remain controversial. The controversy revolves around which public policies best deter…

Discussion: Trends in Addiction Treatment Helping professionals entering the addiction profession are doing so on the cusp of a new era. Significant changes are taking place in treatment approaches, technology, funding, public policy, and perceptions of addiction and recovery.   Underlying these trends is the emergence of a paradigm shift in the way addiction and…

Week 9: Personal and Professional Policies, Processes, and Resources Community resources like Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are important tools in addressing addiction. There are also many other important resources available other than 12-step support groups, but their existence is often dependent on public support, funding, and regulatory policies. Legislation that supports the funding…

Discussion 1: Contributing to Community Recovery The damaging effects of disaster on mental health and the increased vulnerability to addiction of survivors are well documented. The most common conditions that follow a disaster are post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, grief, and an increase in substance abuse and addictive behaviors (Beaudoin, 2011; Cepeda, Valdez, Kaplan, &…

Week 7: Special Populations and Co-Occurring Disorders Addressing the needs of special populations and co-occurring disorders can be a challenging aspect of working in addictions. This week, you analyze challenges in treating special populations. Then, you evaluate strategies for addressing co-occurring disorders by creating a 30-day addiction treatment plan for a client.   Learning Objectives…

Week 8: Crisis Intervention and Effects of Traumatic Events on Addiction Helping professionals providing support to victims of trauma often encounter people who attempt to deal with their losses through self-medicating. One client may turn to alcohol to get to sleep at night. Another client may find relief for her constant anxiety through prescription medications.…