Empowering People with SUD
The class presentation has identified addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) as some of the health challenges many people in the global society face. The affected victims become stressed, change their behaviors, and find it hard to achieve their personal goals (Robinson & Adinoff, 2016). This knowledge has encouraged me to design evidence-based models for delivering care to this population. I have also appreciated the idea of multidisciplinary teams offering high-quality support. There are specific approaches that can support the outcomes of these victims, such as counseling and family support. There are some cultural implications associated with individuals affected by SUD. For instance, many communities label members of this specialty population as undisciplined and unethical. Others view them as outcasts or people who do not obey existing moral or social values.
Different cultural groups ignore the needs of these patients, thus making it impossible for them to achieve their maximum potential. In my community, there are no adequate resources to meet the needs of this population. The available ones are health clinics and private medical facilities. The observable gaps include the absence of psychotherapy and counseling centers. Additionally, people are not encouraged to form focus groups. The establishment of new facilities and increasing the number of social workers can minimize such gaps (Robinson & Adinoff, 2016). There is a need for stakeholders to consider various strategies and initiatives to understand these psychological conditions and how to serve the affected persons as a PMHNP. The first one is engaging in lifelong learning to acquire additional information about SUD and the best way to support all patients. The second thing is to consider the challenges in cultural values and identify appropriate measures to minimize them. These approaches will make it easier for me to offer exemplary services to members of this specialty population.
Research about People with Addiction and SUD
The selected articles examine the unique health challenges many people with SUD encounter in their lives. The authors of such works indicate that individuals suffering from addiction encounter various mental conditions, thereby being unable to lead high-quality lives. Those in the criminal justice system are affected the most due to the absence of adequate support systems and counseling services (Peters, Wexler, & Lurigio, 2015). The information presented in these studies is relevant for all persons with SUD and addiction. This is true since the resources offer evidence-based ideas that can guide them to seek available services and resources (Peters et al., 2015). This approach can make it easier for them to overcome the mental challenges they face and transform their lives. Individuals who are at risk of addiction will also find such insights meaningful and identify the recommended measures to avoid various drugs.
The authors go further to encourage victims to appreciate the fact that addiction and SUD are real problems or illnesses that can affect their health outcomes. This knowledge can make it easier for patients to re-pattern their lives and engage in behaviors or practices that can fulfill their demands. They can also consider the presented information to learn more about health practices and evidence-based initiatives that have the potential to deliver positive mental outcomes (Urbanoski, Inglis, & Veldhuizen, 2017). These measures will empower and make it possible for many patients to lead high-quality lives.
The completed research study will influence my practice as a PMHNP in a positive manner. This is true since I have realized that healthcare professionals tend to ignore the mental needs of persons with SUD. This knowledge supports a superior approach for engaging such individuals, interacting with other practitioners, and developing the best model to meet their needs. I will also identify existing resources and ensure that they are available to the targeted beneficiaries. The use of therapy and counseling sessions can also become effective strategies for supporting such individuals (Peters et al., 2015). I can collaborate with psychotherapists and psychologists to guide such people and encourage community members to be part of the process. A detailed understanding of the unique challenges and obstacles people with SUD and addiction go through can make it easier for me to transform my ability to deliver personalized care (Urbanoski et al., 2017). The information goes further to support the concept of interprofessional teams to maximize patients’ mental health experiences.
The other important thing to consider is how the authors of the selected topic examine the nature of this health problem. Such researchers have indicated that many people with SUD record co-occurring conditions, thereby being unable to realize their potential. With this kind of information, there is a need to undertake additional studies in an attempt to know more about the effectiveness of focus groups, therapy, and personalized counseling (Urbanoski et al., 2017). Through continuous learning, I will acquire new information about this topic. The targeted knowledge will become a powerful guideline for developing a superior care delivery model for all individuals affected by addiction (Urbanoski et al., 2017). The power of multidisciplinary teams will also be studied to acquire new insights for improving the quality of care available to SUD patients. These gains will be shared with other professionals to ensure that more people record positive health outcomes.
References
Peters, R. H., Wexler, H. K., & Lurigio, A. J. (2015). Co-occurring substance use and mental disorders in the criminal justice system: A new frontier of clinical practice and research. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 38(1), 1-6. Web.
Urbanoski, K., Inglis, D., & Veldhuizen, S. (2017). Service use and unmet needs for substance use and mental disorders in Canada. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(8), 551-559. Web.
Robinson, S. M., & Adinoff, B. (2016). The classification of substance use disorders: Historical, contextual, and conceptual considerations. Behavioral Sciences, 6(3), 18-40. Web.