Case Study of the Treatment of a Client With Chemical Abuse Problems It has been my observation that many times a person may become dependant on a substance as a result of a traumatic event in their life or due to overwhelming life circumstances. When life becomes overwhelming, a person may seek comfort in a substance. For example, a drug user may be attempting to alleviate a preexisting condition of depression through the use of cocaine (Rotgers et al., 1996). It has also been my observation that numerous times the use of substances to comfort is a remedy taught by parents in an adverse form of role modeling to lead to a ¡§circle of addiction¡¨. Therefore, substance abuse is frequently termed ¡§self-medication¡¨. I believe that the case history is key in chemical dependency cases because it is the link into the source of the disease and the substance use is just a resulting symptom. In this paper, we will explore the treatment of chemical dependency through a case study from which we will examine the presenting problem, client history, diagnosis, synopsis of sessions and a discussion of how treatment would proceed. For this case study, I will utilize an actual client¡¦s history from my experiences as a case manager. I will approach client¡¦s case as if I were the therapist for the client. I have changed certain information in the case to protect the identity of the client.Case Presentation Presenting Problem Tim Harris is a seventeen-year-old Caucasian with a history of alcohol and cannabis use. His probation officer is referring him to treatment because he was carrying a razor blade at his high school and he was suspected of homicidal ideation. This referral is a result of the zero tolerance rule for the carrying of ¡§weapons¡¨ after the Columbine High School tragedy. Later, Tim disclosed that the razor in his pocket was to cut his ¡§blunts¡¨ or cigars stuffed with marijuana. Tim uses marijuana and alcohol on a regular basis including at school and at home.History Tim Harris is the second to the oldest of six children. He and his siblings are all in foster placements in Los Angeles County. He reports that he was removed from his biological parents¡¦ home because they were drinking and using cocaine. ¡§I remember my parents using a white powder¡¨ and ¡§We had to take care of ourselves,¡¨ states Tim. The Department of Children and Family Service removed and placed he and siblings into four different households on the basis of neglect. Tim was not prenatally exposed to substances during birth and denies any history of physical abuse. Tim was separated from his parents at the age of seven and he has been in the same foster placement since then. Tim reports that he started the use of alcohol and marijuana as a recreation with his friends at parties. He is aware that some of his other...
