Case Study of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Running head: CASE STUDY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
CASE STUDY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
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1CASE STUDY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
Introduction
As stated by Burns, Coleman-Cowger and Breen (2016), uncontrolled alcohol and drug
usage has been reported to yield physiological and societal implications in the form of liver
damage, increased automobile accidents and mortality, domestic and public violence lead to
disruption of domestic as well as familial harmony.
The emerging rate of illicit drug and alcohol abuse amongst culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) populations continue to plague the Australian community, as stated by the
National Drug Strategy (Rowe et al., 2018). The following paragraphs of the essay shed light on
the case study of Massimo, an Italian immigrant inflicted with illicit substance and alcohol
abuse. The essay discusses extensively the various cultural and linguistic factors prior to
provision of treatment, the effective assessment and screening tools, potential challenges,
intervention strategies, the required substance counseling model and the ethical issues which
must be considered prior to his treatment.
Discussion
Cultural and Linguistic Factors
Massimo is an Italian immigrant and the counselor must consider providing a cultural
competent treatment. As stated by the National Drug Strategy of Australia, the prevalence of
substance and alcohol abuse along with illicit drug usage is alarmingly high amongst culturally
and linguistically diverse groups. The presence of more liberal practices of alcohol consumption
in Australia, often puts culturally diverse immigrants at a disadvantage due to the absence of
prevalent alcohol usage in their respective countries (Horyniak, Lim & Higgs, 2016). According

2CASE STUDY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
to Roche et al., (2015), such groups continue to face continued discrimination from native
Australians, in terms of employment opportunities, resulting in financial constraints and
associated implications on mental health exhibited in the form of anxiety, depression and
distress. Such conditions often subject such groups to greater alcohol and substance abuse usage,
which may be prevalent in the case of Massimo. Massimo required an interpreter meaning that
he may be at a disadvantage during reception of treatment due to the prevalence of an English
speaking background in his surroundings (Gainsbury, 2017).
The counselor first consider Massimo’s cultural diversity along with his needs,
preferences and opinion which may be unique to his culture. The counselor must consider his
unique linguistic identity and hence, must provide a non-English speaking environment which
will facilitate communication (Posselt et al., 2014). Hence, the above cultural and linguistic
factors unique to Massimo’s culture, along with the possible presence of inequitable provision of
resources due to this immigrant identity, must be considered by his respective counselor for the
provision of culturally competent treatment.
Screening Tools
The key screening tools chosen for assessing Massimo’s condition prior to his treatment,
will aim to evaluate his alcohol as well as cannabis usage behaviors.
For the purpose of screening alcohol consumption, the AUDIT or Alcohol Use Disorders
Identification Test may be used. This screening tool is formulated by the World Health
Organization for the purpose of assessment of consumption of alcohol, conductance of behaviors
associated with drinking as well as evaluation of additional problems which may be associated
with alcohol ingestion. The AUDIT screening tool has been documented to be suitable across all

3CASE STUDY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
sexes, and even across a variety of ethnic and culturally diverse groups, hence making it
appropriate for screening the condition of Massimo (Ludin et al., 2015).
The second screening tool is the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test- Revised
(CUDIT), which consists of 8 questions aiming to assess behaviors associated with cannabis
usage and attempts at quitting by the concerned patient. The counselor must aim to administer
these screening tools in the form of languages highlighting Massimo’s ethnicity, which will not
only be easy for Massimo to comprehend but will also form a successful step towards provision
of culturally competent treatment (López-Pelayo et al., 2015).
Assessment and Case Formulation
Case Formulation
Massimo, a 56 year old Italian social worker, was recently admitted to the local hospital
upon sustaining a head injury as a resultant of a fall. Despite the absence of any previous medical
complications, the patient engages in extensive marijuana usage.
Assessment
A pain screening in the form of a PQRST pain assessment tool was conducted which
included a comprehensive evaluation of palliation or provocation (P), quantity or quality (Q),
radiation or region (R), scale of severity and the timing of this head pain (Fink & Brant, 2018). A
comprehensive medical assessment was conducted concerning his medication usage,
musculoskeletal functioning and medical history (Traub et al., 2015). A psychosocial assessment
was also conducted considering his culturally unique identity, which aimed to assess his
opinions, belief and coping mechanisms (Singla et al., 2015). Lastly, considering his excessive
alcohol and marijuana usage, an Alcoholic Use Disorders Identification Test and Cannabis Use