Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, and Human Service Workers

Counselors, therapists, social workers, and human service workers in the field may understand that there are five categories of substance use disorder and non-problematic use. But what do you think about the average individual, the family member, the co-worker, or college student who sees someone drinking one or two beers and thinks, this person has a real problem even though he/she may be an abstainer? It seems like society has and will label those who use chemical substances as an “Addict,” regardless of their consumption, especially if the individual is known to have a mental health disorder. 

Are You Ready to Change?

Do you think the modality of Motivational Interviewing is sufficient enough to help someone to acknowledge that they have a drug problem and want to change? Or do you think Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective with someone who is in the experimental stage of using, not to continue to use? Unfortunately, in our society today, drugs and alcohol are everywhere and are more prevalent on our college campuses across the United States. Doweiko (2019) explains that “Currently, alcohol use remains ubiquitous in the college environment.” 

Reference

Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency – with MindTap (Custom) (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage.