Post by Teresa Chamley on Jul 7, 2015 6:03:42 GMT
Reflect on the Dual Diagnosis workshop and describe what your greatest learning from this workshop was and also how you will implement this into your practice (approx. 500 words)
A reflection on the Southern Dual Diagnosis Services work shop. The aim of Southern Dual Diagnosis is aimed towards multidisciplinary health professionals promoting recovery and harm minimization through: training, education, consultations, network meetings, group reflective practices, collaborative group program and highlighting treatment pathways.
Dual Diagnosis refers to having more than one diseases or disorder at the same time (Allsop, 2008). Both conditions do not always have the same clinical consequences, or occur both at the same time, sometimes one disorder can be more primary over the other (Allsop, 2008). In relation to the comorbidity of mental illness and substance use, Allsop (2008) explains that individuals may experience a primary psychiatric disorder, primary drug use disorder or a dual primary disorder. A primary psychiatric disorder is when substance abuse is influenced by their mental illness. A Primary drug disorder is when the symptoms of the mental illness are linked with drug use. Drug use can trigger mental illness, which may occur due to side effects of high doses, regular use and the effects of withdrawal which can cause or resemble symptoms of mental illness. A Dual primary disorder is when both primary psychiatric disorder and primary drug disorder coincide with each other and could exacerbate one another (Allsop, 2008).
The impact of the comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorder has a substantial effect on the client. It can affect their diagnosis, an increased risk of illness and injury, poor treatment outcomes, increasing the risks of side effects and not having effective treatment. The challenges that the client faces depends on their ability to go to appointments and management of taking medications, if the client struggles with these it can lead to the likelihood of relapse (NSW Department of Health, 2009).
From the dual diagnosis workshop I have learnt that it is important to address the client holistically, to not only address the client’s mental illness but also their substance use. The Mental Health Act 2014 section 11 (f) states “person’s receiving mental health services should have their medical and other needs, including any alcohol and other drug problems recognised and responded to” (Department of Health, 2015).
I will implement what I have learnt in today’s workshop by acknowledging both the clients mental illness and substance use. I will perform a mental state examination to identify their mental health status and a substance use assessment to identify the substance used, the method of the substance used, the amount of substance used, the frequency of substance used and the time period of how long the drug has been used. It has to be identified what the client’s withdrawal risk is, if the client has developed a dependence on the substance and what the treatment plan is to manage their triggers of substance abuse (NSW Department of Health, 2009).
I would identify what stage the client is at for change. Whether it is pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance or relapse. I would use the Rule principle when engaging with the client Resist the righting reflex; Understand the client’s motivation; Listen to the client; Empower the client. I would use motivational interviewing as my approach towards the client by engaging, focusing, evoking and planning. Motivation interviewing is a person centred approach that guides to elicit and strengthen motivation to change.
References
Allsop, S. (2008). Drug use and mental health: Effective response to co-occurring dug and mental health problems (1st ed.). Victoria, Australia: IP Communications.
Department of Health. (2015). Mental Health Act 2014 handbook. Retrieved from www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/mhact2014/index.htm
Department of Health. (2009). NSW clinical guidelines for persons with comorbid mental and substance use disorders in acute care settings. Retrieved from www0.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2009/pdf/comorbidity_report.pdf
A reflection on the Southern Dual Diagnosis Services work shop. The aim of Southern Dual Diagnosis is aimed towards multidisciplinary health professionals promoting recovery and harm minimization through: training, education, consultations, network meetings, group reflective practices, collaborative group program and highlighting treatment pathways.
Dual Diagnosis refers to having more than one diseases or disorder at the same time (Allsop, 2008). Both conditions do not always have the same clinical consequences, or occur both at the same time, sometimes one disorder can be more primary over the other (Allsop, 2008). In relation to the comorbidity of mental illness and substance use, Allsop (2008) explains that individuals may experience a primary psychiatric disorder, primary drug use disorder or a dual primary disorder. A primary psychiatric disorder is when substance abuse is influenced by their mental illness. A Primary drug disorder is when the symptoms of the mental illness are linked with drug use. Drug use can trigger mental illness, which may occur due to side effects of high doses, regular use and the effects of withdrawal which can cause or resemble symptoms of mental illness. A Dual primary disorder is when both primary psychiatric disorder and primary drug disorder coincide with each other and could exacerbate one another (Allsop, 2008).
The impact of the comorbidity of mental illness and substance use disorder has a substantial effect on the client. It can affect their diagnosis, an increased risk of illness and injury, poor treatment outcomes, increasing the risks of side effects and not having effective treatment. The challenges that the client faces depends on their ability to go to appointments and management of taking medications, if the client struggles with these it can lead to the likelihood of relapse (NSW Department of Health, 2009).
From the dual diagnosis workshop I have learnt that it is important to address the client holistically, to not only address the client’s mental illness but also their substance use. The Mental Health Act 2014 section 11 (f) states “person’s receiving mental health services should have their medical and other needs, including any alcohol and other drug problems recognised and responded to” (Department of Health, 2015).
I will implement what I have learnt in today’s workshop by acknowledging both the clients mental illness and substance use. I will perform a mental state examination to identify their mental health status and a substance use assessment to identify the substance used, the method of the substance used, the amount of substance used, the frequency of substance used and the time period of how long the drug has been used. It has to be identified what the client’s withdrawal risk is, if the client has developed a dependence on the substance and what the treatment plan is to manage their triggers of substance abuse (NSW Department of Health, 2009).
I would identify what stage the client is at for change. Whether it is pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance or relapse. I would use the Rule principle when engaging with the client Resist the righting reflex; Understand the client’s motivation; Listen to the client; Empower the client. I would use motivational interviewing as my approach towards the client by engaging, focusing, evoking and planning. Motivation interviewing is a person centred approach that guides to elicit and strengthen motivation to change.
References
Allsop, S. (2008). Drug use and mental health: Effective response to co-occurring dug and mental health problems (1st ed.). Victoria, Australia: IP Communications.
Department of Health. (2015). Mental Health Act 2014 handbook. Retrieved from www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/mhact2014/index.htm
Department of Health. (2009). NSW clinical guidelines for persons with comorbid mental and substance use disorders in acute care settings. Retrieved from www0.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2009/pdf/comorbidity_report.pdf