ADDICTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS PART 1STUDY GUIDE

Wingspread Series II ©

Study Guide

FOR

“ADDICTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS”

Your Study Guide will help reinforce the curriculum. Print your Study Guide out and fill in the blanks. You will find the answers in the course materials. Keep your Study Guide.This will help prepare you for your post-test.

Course Presented By:

NET Training Institute

P.O. Box 2508

Daytona Beach, FL 32115

407-236-9400 Fax 407-217-1705


STUDY GUIDE

ADDICTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Chapter 1: The Nature of the Problem

  1. This chapter begins with the quote taken from Alcoholics Anonymous: “One drink is too many and a thousand is never enough.” What does that quote mean to you? What does that quote say about someone’s alcohol addiction?
  1. How is the term “dual diagnosis” defined?
  1. What does “comorbid” mean in relationship to mental health and substance use/abuse disorders?
  1. Individuals with a psychiatric disorder are at increased risk for having a ______substance disorder.
  1. People abusing or dependent on drugs often develop symptoms similar to those seen in many psychiatric disorders. List those psychiatric symptoms referred to in your text.

  1. When a client presents for treatment for substance use and abuse disorders the evaluator must assess whether or not their psychiatric symptoms come from the substance use or from a mental illness or both. Using the questions in your text as examples, formulate four questions you could ask your clients when they present for treatment to help you determine the cause of the psychiatric symptoms.
  1. People who are dually diagnosed are often difficult to treat. Name three reasons why these clients may be difficult to treat:
  1. Imagine that you are the counselor and you suspect your client has both a substance use/abuse and mental health disorder. How would you approach telling the client? What would you do if your client were resistant to the diagnoses?

A Deeper Look

  1. Traditionally, how does society view alcoholism and addiction? Do you share that view? Why or why not?

Personal Reflection

  1. “Many providers who want to treat the dually disordered person in a comprehensive way are faced with moral, ethical, and financial dilemmas regarding what is in the client’s best interest, given the limited availability of treatment funding”. What are some of the dilemmas providers face? What is your reaction to this statement?
  1. There is a definite relationship between substance abuse and criminal activity. What are some of the common charges the substance abuser may be arrested on?
  1. Is the “legal system” a “treatment system?” Why or why not?
  1. What effect(s), if any, would a dual diagnosis have on the patient’s family and friends?

Personal Reflection

  1. Your text discusses many of the difficulties treatment providers often face when working with the dually diagnosed client. After reading about these difficulties, what is your reaction? Do you believe these difficulties will affect your decision to be a substance abuse counselor? If so, how?

NET Training Institute / Wingspread Series II © revised 11/20121