While the term "addiction" used to relate primarily to chemical addictions (i.e. drugs and alcohol), Straussner reports that social workers now also deal with "process addictions" such as gambling and anorexia. Furthermore, the responsibilities of the social worker toward addicts and their families have become expanded to the point where social workers are now involved in program and policy development, administration and scientific research. I believe that all of these expanding roles and responsibilities will help to solidify addiction as a significant part of the social worker's job description.
Some of the new and expanding roles of the social worker in regard to addiction even extend to other disorders or illnesses that often occur in conjunction with addiction. For example, Straussner reports that social workers have become increasingly involved in the fight against AIDS, the management of methadone treatment programs and mental health disorders that are often a result of, or a catalyst for, addiction....
These "MICA programs" operate on the premise that "continuity of care across systems, including trained professionals from a variety of disciplines, is attainable and results in improved, less costly services for the dually diagnosed" (Sciacca, 1996, p. 1). This information was particularly useful to me in terms of how I can use the information provided by Straussner in my own practice, since I intend to focus my practice on the dually diagnosed.
References
Richmond, M. (1917/2006) Social diagnosis. Rpt. Russell Sage Foundation, Harvard University
Sciacca, K. (1996, July) On co-occurring addictive and mental disorders: a brief history of the origins of dual diagnosis treatment and program development, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (66)3. Retrieved from http://www.psychosocial.com/dualdx/micahist.html
Straussner, S.L.A. (2001) The role of social workers in the treatment of addictions: A brief history. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions 1(1), 3-9.
