This document contains instructions for several assignments related to researching and analyzing substance use disorders and addiction. It provides case studies and asks students to address questions related to theories of addiction, genetic and environmental factors, stages of change, motivational interviewing techniques, co-occurring disorders, and making appropriate referrals. Students are asked to support their responses using scholarly sources and to follow APA style guidelines. The assignments require analyzing case studies, identifying assessment tools, stating diagnoses, and justifying treatment recommendations.

1. Assignment 1a
There is much controversy that surrounds the etiology of
addictions. Some theories suggest that addiction is related
solely to genetic factors, while others identify environmental
factors as the primary influences on addictive behavior. Most
contemporary theories support the idea that both genetic and
environmental factors contribute to substance addiction.
However, there is still much debate about this in the field.
Use the module readings and the Argosy University online
library resources to research chemical substance addiction.
Select a category of chemical substances with addiction
potential (for example, alcohol, stimulants, or opiates). In this
assignment, you will examine this selected substance in detail.
How might a person become addicted to that category of
chemical substance? Describe the process.
What are the various genetic and environmental factors that
contribute to the development of substance addiction as related
to that category?
Support your responses using your readings and authoritative
resources. Incorporate theory and factual information in your
response such as examples of research findings related to
addiction.
Write your initial response in 2–3 paragraphs. Apply APA
standards to citation of sources.
This is due tomorrow 11/15/14
Assignment 1b

2. When conducting an evaluation, it is also important to consider
the client’s demography as a possible contributing factor.
Use the module readings and the Argosy University online
library resources to research methods of recording case
histories.
Create a case history for a person with an addiction that clearly
traces contributing factors. Do not include identifying
information. At this point, do not include details of any mental
illness that would constitute a dual diagnosis. Be sure to cover
the following components in your case history:
Demographics – including age, gender, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, marital status, number and ages of
children, living arrangements, and religion if applicable
Family background
Education
Employment
History of chemical use
Description of the current problem (include history of previous
treatment, if any)
After completing the case history, consider ethical standards in
relation to this client. What potential ethical issues exist or may
come into play with this client? Be sure to include at least one
ethical issue. Explore multiculturalism, duty to report/warn, and
confidentiality. For example, if the client has children, explain
how duty to report may come into play when working with this
client.
Write a 3–4-page report in Word format. Not including Title
and Reference pages. Apply APA standards to citation of
sources.

3. This is due Monday 11/17/14
Assignment 2a
CASE STUDY
Jennifer has a long history of substance abuse dating back to her
early adolescent years. After several bouts with co-occurring
depression at the age of twenty-four. Jennifer decided to enter
treatment for her substance abuse. While in treatment, she
worked on her urges, the thought processes surrounding her use,
and specific behavioral techniques to change her use-related
patterns. At thirty- six she achieved sobriety through the twelve
model of recovery. Her efforts had paid off. However, the
damage she caused during the height of her use began to
gradually present itself. She had to face people she had hurt in
relationships, pay debts she had accumulated, and serve
sentences for crimes she had committed during that period of
time.
By the age of thirty- eight, she had worked through many of
these experiences and was starting a new career. She admittedly
embellished her resume to get the job, and lied about previous
experience. She justified this with her belief that “everyone
pumps up their resume” to find work. She did not consider the
potential consequences for this decision. As time passed,
Jennifer settled into her position and was maintaining her
sobriety as she planned to do after leaving treatment. She soon
felt ready for a relationship. It is well known that the twelve-
step model of recovery recommends having a year of sobriety
before entering a relationship. Jennifer had easily accomplished
this particular task, so she felt prepared by the twelve-step
model`s standard. She developed a fulfilling relationship with a
man who had recently been divorced due to his wife`s substance
abuse issues. Jennifer never disclosed her issues because she
did not want to jeopardize the relationship. She found no harm

4. in this decision because, after all, she was not like his previous
wife because she had achieved sobriety.
A few months into the relationship, Jennifer and her boyfriend
went to a work party where there was alcohol was being served.
Alcohol was not her substance of choice, so Jennifer thought
there would be no harm in having a cocktail with her new
boyfriend. The effects were devastating. After consuming the
cocktail, Jennifer consumed four more drinks that lead to her
relapse and a weeklong cocaine binge. Her boyfriend was
unprepared for her behavior and left her immediately after he
found out about her substance use problem. Her boss began
looking into her background because of her weeklong absence
as well as some inconsistencies between the work skills she
displayed and what she reported on her resume.
Jennifer was eventually able to convince her boyfriend to give
the relationship a chance by thoroughly explaining her
treatment success and the fact that “relapse is expected” in
recovery. She begged for his forgiveness citing all the good
times they had shared and her belief that they were perfect for
each other. He agreed to reconcile the relationship. She did not
have the same success of convincing her boss of her suitability
for the job and was released from the company. Her boyfriend
moved her into his home and supported her until she found a
work. She was able to maintain her sobriety for another year
before she began stealing money from his bank account. He
forgave her again due to her ability to rationalize actions. She
continued her actions for many years into their relationship.
Denial is one of the most challenging defense mechanisms used
by individuals with addictions. This term has been familiar to
the substance abuse treatment nomenclature for many decades.
It applies when a substance abuser denies the existence or
severity of his or her problem. Treatment for clients in denial is
typically challenging. In these cases, the focus of intervention

5. is on helping the client acknowledge the problem. The only way
treatment will be successful is if the client recognizes the
existence or extent of the substance abuse.
The contemporary perspective is that denial occurs in the “pre-
contemplative” stage of the change process (Prochaska,
DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992). The denial of clients in this
stage is not confronted as it was in older forms of treatment. It
is viewed as a necessary beginning on the journey to sobriety.
Addressing the denial requires encouraging the client to identify
the ill effects as well as the perceived benefits of his or her
substance abuse. The client in this stage will attempt to work
toward finding internal motivation to change based on the
insight gained about the effects of his or her use pattern.
Use the module readings and the Argosy University online
library resources to research denial used as a defense
mechanism.
Download
and review the case study.
Respond to the following:
How is the use of denial by the substance-abusing client evident
in the case?
What other ways might substance-abusing individuals display
denial?
What approaches could you use to work with the client in the
case study?
Support your responses using your module readings and
authoritative resources. Incorporate theory and factual
information in your response.
Write your initial response in 2–3 paragraphs. Apply APA

6. standards to citation of sources.
This is due Thursday 11/20/14
Assignment 2b
The
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
was originally developed in 1952 to help doctors and
counselors across the country standardize the classifications of
mental disorders in the American population. Throughout the
intervening years, the DSM has gone through several revisions,
establishing specific diagnostic criteria for each disorder listed,
and revising disorders as more was understood about their
origins, symptoms, and treatments. The DSM III (1980) marks
the point when substance use disorders were moved to a
category of their own, separate from personality disorders.
Today, the current DSM lists the diagnostic criteria for
substance use disorders.
While these standardized diagnostic practices have been in use
for more than sixty years, there are some pros and cons in the
use of the DSM diagnoses of substance use disorders in the
assessment of clients.
Complete the following requirements:
Evaluate, in detail, the pros and cons of using DSM diagnoses
as the primary classification structure for clients with substance
use disorders.
Examine the assessment types used to diagnose clients with
substance use. Choose two of these assessments that would not
only help to diagnose the substance use disorder, but would also
assess the whole person. Explain them fully.
Compare and contrast the two assessments chosen regarding
how they will evaluate the whole person and not just the

7. specific DSM diagnostic criteria.
Justify the value of using assessments that evaluate the whole
person rather than just the specific DSM diagnostic criteria.
Use scholarly resources to support your work.
Write a 3–4 page paper in Word format. Not including Title and
Reference page. Apply APA standards to citation of resources.
This is due Monday 11/24/14
Assignment 3a
The stages of change model suggests that clients who are in the
process of changing addictive behavior move through
successive stages, from limited insight to maintenance of
change. These stages will be presented by the client’s attitudes
and behaviors. It is the job of the clinician to identify the
correct stage and employ specific interventions for the
treatment to be successful. Most clients opting for an
assessment will likely be in the early stages of change.
The major tenets of motivational interviewing were designed to
provide clinicians with tools to facilitate the change process in
clients. Extensive research supports its effectiveness and it has
become the standard in the past decade. These techniques are
grounded in the client-centered approach rather than the
confrontational approach to substance abuse treatment used in
previous decades.
Use the module readings and the Argosy University online
library resources to research motivational interviewing and the
stages of change model.
Download
and review the case study.

8. Case Study – John
John is a longtime alcohol abuser who has managed to function
in his job as a shipping foreperson for more than twenty years
despite his problem. Last month John`s company instituted a
new company policy that required all employees to submit to
random urine screens. John tested positive the first time he
submitted his urine drop. His company referred him for an
assessment that had to be conducted before he was allowed to
return to work.
As the substance abuse evaluator, you are responsible for
identifying whether or not a drinking problem exists and for
recommending any necessary treatment. John presents in your
office the next day with frustration related to his suspension
from work. Although he understands the position of his
company, indicating that many of “those guys there have
drinking problems,” he is surprised that the company “is being
this harsh on him.” He denied having a problem because he
“does not drink everyday like some of those guys.”
You discuss with John his perception of his drinking as well as
the company`s decision to refer him for an assessment and
treatment. As the session proceeds, you agree that John is
probably not dependent on alcohol. However, you introduce the
probability of abuse, given the history you were provided, and
his admission to “getting hammered” most days he is drinking.
You explain that his drinking behavior resulted in the presence
of alcohol in his urine form the previous night at home. You
explore this with John in an effort to help him identify some of
the consequences of his drinking, even though he is not alcohol
dependent. This allows John to focus on the potential
consequences of his alcohol use pattern.
Respond to the following:

9. Explain factors for determining the client’s stage of change and
identify which stage of change the client is in.
What two motivational interviewing techniques would be
helpful in assessing substance abuse in this case? Give reasons
and explanations.
Support your responses using your module readings and
authoritative resources. Incorporate theory and factual
information in your response.
Write your initial response in 2–3 paragraphs. Apply APA
standards to citation of sources.
This is due Thursday 11/27/14
Assignment 3b
In your professional capacity as a substance abuse counselor,
you are not permitted to give diagnoses for mental disorders
other than those related to substance abuse. However, you will
likely be exposed to clients with mental health disorders in the
assessment or treatment process. The competent substance abuse
evaluator will be able to identify clients who present mental
health disorders and make the appropriate referrals. Providing
appropriate referrals for clients is common in the substance
abuse field.
In
Assignment 1b
, you developed a case history for a person with an addiction. In
this assignment, you will develop a case history and include one
mental disorder. The inclusion of a mental disorder in your case
study will aid in the examination of co-occurring disorders. You
will then present your diagnosis and referrals.

10. This assignment has
two
parts. Complete both parts.
Part I
Create a case history for a person with an addiction and a
mental disorder. Do not include identifying information. Include
the following elements in your case history:
Demographics—including age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic
status, marital status, number and ages of children, living
arrangements, and religion if applicable
Presenting problem
Previous psychiatric treatment of patient
Previous chemical treatment of patient
Chemical history
Medical history—including disabilities if applicable
Work and education history
Legal or financial concerns
Family background
Concerned person involvement
Referral source
Part II
Analyze the case history and present your diagnosis as related
to substance use disorders. Include the following in your
diagnosis:
Summarize key case study elements you would use to formulate
a diagnosis and guide your treatment plan.
Identify at least two assessment tools that you would use to
formulate a diagnosis. Justify why you have selected these
tools.
State your diagnosis related to substance use disorders. Justify

11. your reasons for your diagnosis.
Identify other concerns and offer recommendations and referral
opportunities. Justify your reasons and explanations.
Write a 3–4-page report in Word format. Not including title
page and reference page. Apply APA standards to citation of
sources.
This is due Monday 12/1/14