Chemical Dependency, Particularly Alcoholism, Within the History Of Psychology
Since the dawn of humankind, people have been experimenting with various chemicals for recreation, to alter their conscious state for religious purposes, or for medicinal applications. Indeed, a vast cornucopia of pharmaceutical preparations has been identified over the millennia that provide modern healthcare consumers with remedies for many human ailments, and more are being developed and identified every day. Used properly and under the supervision of healthcare providers, these chemical substances can deliver analgesic relief, reduce fevers and inflammations, cure diseases and much more. Used improperly, though, the abuse of many chemicals, particularly alcohol, has been a plague on humankind since fermented berries were first discovered, creating the need for timely and effective psychological interventions today. To gain some additional insights into the history of psychology as it relates to chemical dependency in general and alcoholism in particular, this paper provides a….

Nevertheless, the family capacity does not receive full exploitation during most intervention programs. A central challenge to most interventions is the need to broaden the chemical abuse treatment focus from the addict to the family.
The initial stages depict diligent commitment and focus from the families. Upon receiving pre-counseling, families shift more attention in uniting to help their loved ones free themselves from substance abuse. The initial stages of the intervention exercise trigger high expectations and an optimistic attitude usually fills the atmosphere (Marinelli, 2009). This is because the family unit has identified the crisis that has caused them so much anxiety in the past. Before the intervention program, most families live with the problem of an addicted loved one, and the mood is usually despondent. During this time, most of the communication is tensed, and ends in arguments caused by the denial in the part of the addict. In….

Behavioral Effects of Abused Drugs

The common denominator among all users of abused drugs is the goal of attaining an altered state of consciousness. Whether to escape the reality of their own lives or to fulfill a chemically adventurous inclination, all illicit drug users want to leave behind their mundane and sometime painful lives. All of the drugs mentioned are able to meet this goal to various degrees, from alcohol to Ritalin; however, there is often a steep price to pay.

The acute effect of drug or alcohol abuse is almost universally a sense of euphoria. The one exception to this rule is hallucinogens, which are typically taken to experience a dissociative state. Hallucinogens can also lead to experiencing a bad 'trip', which would be antithetical to seeking a euphoric state. Another common experience is disinhibition, which can be elicited through over-ingestion of alcohol or illicitly taking cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, and narcotics.….

chemical dependency is a complex problem, with multiple causes and manifestations, there is no single best treatment model. However, the dual diagnosis model combines a variety of treatment modalities and approaches, accounting for individual differences as well as environmental factors. Studies by Brower, Blow & Beresford (1989) revealed the benefits of the dual diagnosis model, which presumes the need for an integrative approach. Moral models like those employed in Twelve Step programs might prove useful for some clients, but an integrative approach allows greater flexibility. From an organizational perspective, a flexible approach is essential because of the need to address a diverse workforce.
Models of treatment may be broken down into constituent parts, according to the situation and the needs of the client. esearch on the hearing impaired, for example, shows that differential needs of the client base will lead to the therapist designing a multifaceted treatment program (Guthmann, n.d.).….

Crisis Intervention
The focus of this work in writing is making a determination of the most optimal course of action and the case formulation in a specific case. A plan of action will be provided and the crisis interpreted within a theoretical framework. A model of assessment, intervention and treatment will be used and included in the assessment will be a possible psychological diagnosis if a mental illness is believed to be present and included will be a referral to an appropriate treatment facility if it is needed and the thoughts on how the crisis will be most likely to be resolved. In addition, the substance abuse of Cassandra's family members will be discussed. The evidence on chemical dependency being passed from one generation to another will be examined and the cultural environment and genetic makeup in relation to substance abuse tendencies will be examined. This work will explain how traits….

ules and roles are also cited as being a constituent of the family systems theory in alcoholism. Every family is different; however, they all have members that tend to fall into specific roles. The alcoholic's role is the dependent person, while their helpless partner is the enabler. The children also tend to fall into specific roles, either as the over-achiever, the scapegoat, the isolated, and/or the immature child. These are the typical roles that are makes up a family of an alcoholic. The transformation affects the entire family system, so much that everyone's life revolves around the alcoholism of the affected individual. Aside from the roles that everyone takes on, codependency begins to develop as well. There are two types of codependency discussed: the addict-centered model and the faulty family model. The latter blames the dysfunctional family unit as the root cause of the person's alcoholism and their mental health….

Chemical Addiction Progress More apidly in Young People than Adults?
Chemical dependency is the obsessive use of chemicals like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and the incapacity to stop using them, in spite of all the troubles caused by their use. People with a chemical dependency can stop using for a while but find it hard to start all together. This is where professional help is needed to stop it for life. Those who quit without professional help, typically overcome with an agonizing desire to resume alcohol, tobacco or drug use. Alcohol and drug addiction are progressive diseases. In most, addictions begin gradually and grow until one's life becomes increasingly uncontrollable. As recurring efforts to gain control over the addiction are unsuccessful, life for the person who has developed a chemical dependency begins to fall apart (Chemical dependency, n.d.).

Drug addictions in young people have been found to progresses more quickly than….

' If a person does not disclose their drinking behavior if they seek outside help, they may be misdiagnosed as having an anxiety disorder. Mixing alcohol and medications for anxiety disorders can have lethal consequences, as well as prolonging a process of addiction." (Losinno, p. 1)
This denotes that especially in the face of trauma, those who are predisposed to dissonant responses and unhealthy coping mechanisms will struggle at a higher level to be liberated of chemical dependency. ith respect to treatment, outreach to specific risk groups such as those who are proven to be vulnerable to PTSD should be seen as a primary intervention strategy. Military veterans, families that have suffered the loss of a loved one, victims of system abuse and victims of traumatic injuries are all targeted candidates for this type of intervention.

3. Discuss genetic impact of chemical dependency? hat is the likelihood of some individuals becoming addicted….

Jones Interview
The work done at chemical dependency treatment centers is extremely important and challenging. My interest in the subject has led me to a special interview I recently conducted with Mr. ill Jones. ill is a treatment counselor at McAlister Institute Teen Recovery Center in Chula Vista, CA and was kind enough to share some of his experiences to help me learn more about addiction and treatment. This essay is a summary of the interview I conducted with ill. This document will discuss some of the important issues related to the topic of addiction and use ill's interview to highlight important factors.

ill Jones has been a treatment counselor at McAlister Institute for nearly five years. He graduated from college with a degree in social work and is aiming to earn his masters in the same subject in the next few years. ill has a bachelor's degree in social work….

Chemical Dependency
Jesse Bruce Pinkman is one of the most important characters in the popular TV series, 'Breaking Bad'. He plays the deuteragonist (2nd most important character) in the series, partnering with Walter White in his methamphetamine drug ring. Pinkman acts as a dealer and manufacturer of methamphetamine, and is also a methamphetamine user. Jesse was also a former student in White's chemistry class.

According to the program script, Pinkman was born September 14, 1984, into a middle income family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While still in high school, he began using and dealing methamphetamine. After being thrown out of the house for his continued drug use, he moved into his Aunt Ginny's place, and looked after her until she died of lung cancer. After her death the ownership of the house fell to his parents who allowed him to continue staying there. The rift between Pinkman and his family continues throughout….

Psychoactive Substance Use and Abuse
A psychoactive substance refers to any chemical which both impacts the central nervous system and the way the brain functions. Psychoactive substances refer to stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, dextroamphetamine), sedatives and analgesics (alcohol, heroin), hallucinogens (PCP, psychoactive mushrooms). As stated in the DSM-III "psychoactive substance abuse is given the definition of being "a maladaptive pattern of use indicated by continued use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, occupational, psychological or physical problem that is caused by the use [or by] recurrent use in situations in which it is physically hazardous" (Nordegren, 2002, p.11).

Social Effects

The social impact of psychoactive substance use and abuse on widespread scale is enormously detrimental to society. "In a 2005 report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services indicated that alcohol was associated with 100,000 preventable deaths each year and that it cost taxpayers nearly $185 billion annually" (Lundy….

Substance Abuse Assessment
There are a variety of assessment or diagnostic instruments which can determine substance abuse. It is interesting to compare and contrast the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Chemical Dependency Assessment Profile (CDAP), and the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI).

Michigan Alcoholism Screening

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Mast) is a "binary-choice, 25-item test which is considered the most widely used test of its type for adults (Hodgson, 2002)."

This can be attributed to the time it takes to administer the test, which is approximately 5 minutes, and how easy it is to score. The MAST consists of a "questionnaire that requires a 'yes' or 'no' response and addresses drinking patterns, social, occupational, and medical aspects of drinking, and previous attempts at treatment. The three primary questions in the survey instrument are: 1) Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous?; 2) Have you ever gone to anyone for help….

After several years of working with inpatients ranging from adolescents, dual-diagnosis patients, and intensive care patients, I transitioned to a Discharge Case Manager. I spent nine years there, and transitioned again -- this time to a Residential Counselor. At that time I assisted in the creation of a transitional house for people with persistent psychiatric disorders. It provided different types of therapy, so a wider range of people could be treated. I'm now DBT and Cognitive Remediation certified and I've helped so many people who really needed someone to care for them. With more than 10 years of experience at Silver Hill behind me, I'm ready to take the next step into nursing. My past experiences -- both personal and professional -- have equipped me well for this. I remember the people I've helped, and I remember those who helped my brother when I needed it the most. His 13….

However, not all facilities are prohibitively costly. Serenity Lane in Eugene, Oregon, proclaims as part of its marketing and advertising plan that it accepts almost all insurance plans, and trumpets the fact that it offers value deals like the "ExSL (Long-Term Program)" that requires only a relatively modest fee of $6,495 per 30 day period, with a 60 day recommended minimum stay" and "partial financing available and a $500 discount for paying cash up front" (Treatment Costs at Serenity Lane," Official ebsite, 2007). In contrast, a stay of the same duration at the more famous Betty Ford Center is $23,000 ("Programs," the Betty Ford Center, 2007).

Quality forms of rehabilitative assistance exist for individuals in a variety of income brackets. Also, for individuals who qualify, there are Medicaid assistance programs provided by the federal government. However, less costly programs often have longer waiting lists and offer less comprehensive, quality, and discrete….

Relapse prevention therapy breaks down the chemical dependency recovery process into specific tasks and skills, which patients must learn in order to recover; it also shows patients how to recognize when they are beginning to relapse, and how to change before they start using alcohol or drugs again (Gorski and Kelley, 2003).
In order to understand the process of relapse prevention, we will first look at the phenomena of chemical dependence, and its associated behaviors, and the phenomena of relapse, in order to be able to then look at the various ways of tackling these behaviors to induce relapse prevention in the patients.

What is Chemical Dependency/Chemical Addiction?

Chemical dependency is a disease caused by the use of alcohol and/or drugs, causing changes in a person's body, mind, and behavior: as a result of the disease of chemical dependency, people are unable to control the use of alcohol and/or drugs, despite the bad….