fhs exploring fhs

Overview of Job and Supervisor Support

  • Importance of finding a supportive job.

  • Supervisors should recognize key issues affecting performance.

APA Citations and Formatting Guidelines

  • Emphasis on understanding APA formatting for assignments throughout FHS courses.

  • Group assignments may be graded more leniently, but individual assignments require strict adherence to APA style.

  • Key issues with student submissions include:

    • Failure to use in-text citations.

    • Importance of citing direct quotes properly.

    • Encouragement to paraphrase instead of quoting verbatim where possible.

Substance Use Disorders and Misuse

Introduction to Substance Use

  • Discussion initiated on motivations for using drugs:

    • Desire for happiness or perceived necessity.

    • Influence of social pressure.

  • Concerns about affordability and living arrangements highlighted.

Key Terminologies in Substance Use

  • Substance Misuse: Defined as usage outside the intended guidelines. Leads to detrimental effects on life and functioning.

  • Substance Abuse: Continued harmful use despite negative consequences.

  • Addiction: A compulsive need for a substance, characterized by:

    • Loss of control over usage.

    • Engaging in risky behavior to obtain the substance.

Understanding Tolerance and Withdrawal

  • Tolerance: The need for increased amounts of a drug to achieve the same effect due to physiological adaptation.

  • Withdrawal: Symptoms experienced when discontinuing a substance, often the opposite of the substance's effects.

Models of Addiction

Four Primary Models

  • Moral Model:

    • Addiction viewed as a personal choice.

    • Individuals are held responsible for both the addiction and the responsibility to change it.

    • Historical context tied to the war on drugs advocating personal accountability.

    • Critique: Loss of control complex and stereotypes prevalent.

  • Spiritual Model:

    • Focuses on the loss of connection to a higher power as a root cause of addiction.

    • Individuals are not blamed for addiction but are responsible for recovery efforts.

    • Common in 12-step programs.

    • Critique: Individuals may feel pressured to adhere to spiritual beliefs without personal belief.

  • Disease Model:

    • Treats addiction as a chronic illness influenced by genetic and physiological factors.

    • Individuals are not held responsible for addiction.

    • Relapse viewed as part of a progressive disease rather than moral failing.

    • Implication of a need for lifelong management and treatment like that of chronic diseases.

  • Compensatory Model:

    • Suggests addiction stems from cognitive issues; individuals are responsible for changing their behavior after a lapse.

    • Emphasizes coping mechanisms for stress relief and maladaptive behaviors.

Group Discussion on Models

  • Discussion encouraged on pros and cons of each model and their applicability to different individuals:

    • Pros for the Moral Model: Encouragement for long-term help and personal accountability.

    • Cons for the Moral Model: Higher risk of relapse and potential legal troubles.

    • Pros for the Spiritual Model: Provides a support structure outside oneself.

    • Cons for the Spiritual Model: Individuals lacking spiritual belief may feel marginalized.

    • Pros for the Disease Model: Validates the biological basis of addiction; removes guilt.

    • Cons for the Disease Model: Absolution of personal responsibility may prevent proactive recovery efforts.

    • Pros for the Compensatory Model: Recognizes mistakes as part of recovery and encourages coping.

    • Cons for the Compensatory Model: May diminish personal accountability; reliance on mistakes as learning opportunities.

Psychological and Biopsychosocial Models

  • Psychological Model: Sees addiction as a coping mechanism related to psychological issues.

  • Biopsychosocial Model: Integrates biological, psychological, and social factors affecting substance use.

    • Addiction as a chronic condition influenced by:

    • Genetics (40-60% risk attributed to genetics).

    • Environmental factors impacting gene expression.

    • Notable example of intrauterine drug exposure impacting later behaviors.

Treatment Approaches

  • Importance of addressing different facets of substance use:

    • Evidence-based treatments, case management, recovery support, and continuous care are required.

    • Treatments may include medical, mental health, educational, and legal services.

    • Common Therapeutic Approaches:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

    • Motivational Interviewing.

    • Mindfulness-Based Interventions.

    • Family-Based Interventions.

    • Self-help and Mutual Aid Groups.

Considerations for Treatment Direction

  • Distinction between abstinence and harm reduction:

    • Detoxification is a preliminary step, not a comprehensive treatment.

    • Follow-up should involve addressing mental health, environmental factors, and basic needs like poverty.

Conclusion

  • Recognizing addiction as a complex, chronic condition impacting all areas of life.

  • Need for a holistic approach in treatment and support services.

  • Emphasis on ongoing education and evidence-based practices for effective interventions in the realm of substance use and abuse.