Addictions And Obsessions Essay Example

A. I think that the client is vulnerable to become a drug or alcohol addict. The first reason is that his family does not accept his behavior and his personality. The second reason is his environment (clubs) where drugs and alcohol can be more accessible. Also, I think as an addiction counselor I need to discuss with Hal Crisp and his family, his potential suicidal thoughts or actions, because Crisp, obviously, is at risk group for suicide.
I believe that in the case of Hal Crisp it will be better to work not only with 19-years- old client, but also with his parents and other family members who can influence him. It is necessary to help family members learn how to manage their embarrassment about their son`s sexual orientation. Also, the family of Hal Crisp has to realize how important it is for Hal to be accepted by his parents and other significant people.
They must realize that their non-acceptance of son`s behavior can lead to sadness and negative consequences. Also, I as an addiction counselor, have to explain to them that by their negative attitudes toward their child`s behavior they increase his vulnerability to become an addict.
On the other hand, I believe that Hal himself feels embarrassed because he has unusual desires, etc. That is why, it is also necessary to teach Hal how to accept himself the way he is, how to manage his negative feelings of shame, embarrassment and other. I think that Hal also has to learn how to discuss with his family his needs and feelings.
Crisp also must look at the situation from the point of view of his family members. He also must understand how and what his parent feel in this situation and the fact that it is not easy to accept his desire to cross-dress.
All family members, including the Crisp need to learn how to communicate more effectively with each other and how to express their emotions and feelings toward each other more openly and constructively.
B. For the last week, I learned many facts about gender differences regarding substance use disorders and different addictions. I was surprised to learn that tendency to become a meth addict is higher among female than among male individuals. Also, it was very useful to learn that there is a positive correlation between female addiction to meth and domestic violence toward these females in their families of origin.
In the next weeks, I will like to learn why mortality among female alcohol abusers is higher than among male alcohol abusers. Is higher mortality and faster intoxication of women determined by physiological or psychological reasons, etc.? I want to learn the answer to these questions to be able to explain mu future female clients from the biological and psychological perspectives why they (females) are more vulnerable to become addicts and why they need to keep away from drugs and alcohol.
Also, I want to know about more correlation relations between some family factors, personal traits, other characteristics and substance use disorders and other abuses. I want to learn not only about positive correlations but also about negative correlations. I believe that learning about negative correlations will help me to understand better what a family or personal factors can prevent the development of addictions.
For the last week, my attitudes toward female addicts changed. I had thought before, that teens became addicted because they were spoiled and pampered because they had extra money and no responsibility. However, after I learned that 80% of women meth addicts were victims of domestic violence, my prejudices changed.