What Issues May Have An Impact On Elizabeth's Recovery?

Case Study 1, Week 5 At the age of 21, Elizabeth had been using drugs and alcohol for 8 years. Within that time, she went from a student in middle school to addiction, giving birth to a “crack baby”, prostitution, incarceration, and attempted suicide. She is now in a SUD treatment program at the correctional facility. What problems may arise during rehabilitation? What issues may have an impact on her recovery? And, what Christian worldview implications may be identified with the appropriate response? Clients in rehabilitation will test the limits placed by the program to see if the counselor is trustworthy or if there is a potential to gain control of the therapist. Elizabeth may miss an appointment with the counselor, cancel an appointment
“Addiction is a chronic disease for which multiple episodes of treatment, remission, relapse, and retreatment frequently occur before achieving stable recovery.” (Tai, 2013). Addictions can never be cured, but can be arrested. Drug exposure, stress exposure, or environmental exposure may trigger a relapse. Elizabeth is already in a high-risk situation with the potential exposure to illegal drugs and the high stress level environment. When released from prison, Elizabeth will need to make lifestyle changes. She cannot go back to her old friends or prostitution trade. Hopefully, her therapist will help her develop satisfactory coping skills in addition to helping her deal with “cravings” and “using”
First, prevention should be most important with the focus on education geared toward students of the dangers and risks of substance use. Secondly, parents and teachers need education on what signs to watch for in students. Did Elizabeth’s mother not see changes taking place in her such as her appearances, changes in diet, missing school, or the odor of marijuana on her clothing? What was her home life like? Schools are to report changes in the children’s appearances, behavior, and/or absences to the child’s parents and child welfare if no resolution has been made. Furthermore, Elizabeth’s obstetrician failed her. We do not know if Elizabeth received prenatal care. If she had, the doctor should have performed routing drug screening, provide interventions, and treatment referrals. However, if the delivery had been Elizabeth’s only encounter with the obstetrician, he should have tried to treat her and make appropriate referrals. The doctor has an ethical responsibility to treat her SUD with dignity and respect and know the resources available. The doctor had an ethical responsibility to discourage separation of mother and baby. Studies show that breastfeeding is encouraged if the mother is in a treatment program. (Committee on Ethics, 2015). As a member of the healthcare team, it is important to show empathy and support rather than criticism and