Substance Use and Treatment Approaches

This assignment delves into the complex world of substance use disorders, analyzing their causes, impact on individuals and society, and available treatment options. It scrutinizes different therapeutic approaches, including medication-assisted treatments like nalmefene and gabapentin, as well as cognitive enhancement therapies. The assignment also touches upon the significance of screening and brief interventions in primary care settings and considers the societal impact of drug policy governance.

Running head: SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Significant Life Events
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Executive Summary:
The report is a discussion on the significant life events in the context of a case study put forward
on cocaine addiction. The report has four sections which are divided as task 1, 2 and 3. The first
task focuses on the impacts of cocaine addiction on Josephus and Salma who are also the
characters of the case study. This section also analyses the responses of the friends and
coworkers towards the couple facing the significant life event. There is also discussion on the
analysis of impacts faced by the health and social care people when people face significant life
events. Task 2 deals with the organizational effectiveness of policies and procedures that
supports the consequences that Josephus and Salma face. In this section, the report also focuses
on the support given to the couple by their social network and the external sources. There is also
analysis of the organizational responses that are required for supporting the patient of cocaine
addiction. This section of the report also puts forward a self reflective part which shows the
support of the writer in a similar significant life event. Here the report also mentions
recommendations on the improvement of the support health care and social organization for
cocaine addicts.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
Task 1.1........................................................................................................................................4
Potential Impact of Significant Life Events on Individuals namely Josephus and Salma.......4
Task 1.2........................................................................................................................................6
Analyzing the Possible Group Responses to Significant Life Events in the Life of Josephus
and Salma.................................................................................................................................6
Task 1.3........................................................................................................................................7
Analyzing the Impact for Others in Health and Social care (Malcolm and George) when an
individual experiences significant life events..........................................................................7
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................8
Task 2.1........................................................................................................................................8
Effectiveness of Organizational Policies and Procedures in Supporting Josephus and Salma
and their Social Networks affected by their Significant Life Event.........................................8
Task 2.2......................................................................................................................................11
Explanation of How Other Social Network is providing Support to Josephus and Salma....11
Task 2.3......................................................................................................................................12
Evaluation of the External Support for Those Affected By Significant Life Events.............12
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................12
Task 3.1......................................................................................................................................12

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Analyzing the Possible Organizational Responses for Supporting Josephus and Salma in
Experiencing Significant Life Event......................................................................................12
Task 3.2......................................................................................................................................13
Reflection of Personal Contribution for Supporting Individuals Experiencing Significant
Life Events.............................................................................................................................13
Task 3.3......................................................................................................................................14
Recommendations for Support Improvement in the Health and Social Care Organization for
Individuals and Social Networks Affected By Cocaine Addiction........................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................15

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Introduction:
The report here gives an overview of significant life events in reference to a case study on
cocaine addiction. The report is however segregated into three tasks, task 1, task 2 and task 3.
The task 1 of the report mainly focuses on the potential impacts of the significant life events on
Josephus and Salma, the prime characters of the case study. In this section there is also an
analysis of the responses of the group including the friends and co-workers towards the
significant life event. There is also discussion on the analysis of the impact on the people of the
health and social care when people face significant life events. The task 2 focuses on the
evaluation of the effectiveness of the organizational procedures and policies that support the
consequences faced by Josephus and Salma. There is also discussion on the support put forward
by the social network of the couple. In this section the report also evaluates the suitability of the
external sources in supporting the characters of the case study. Task 3 however, focuses on the
analysis of the responses of the organizations to the need for supporting Josephus and Salma who
are undergoing a significant life event. There is also a reflection on the writer’s personal
contribution in supporting individuals facing certain significant life event. In this section, the
report also has recommendations for the improvement in the available support in the social and
health care organization for not only individuals but also their social networks in cases of
cocaine addiction.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Task 1
Task 1.1
Potential Impact of Significant Life Events on Individuals namely Josephus and Salma
a. Definition of Significant Life Events and Examples
Significant Life Event refers to important events that bring in substantial changes in the
status and circumstances of the life of a person (Michael et.al 2017). This might include
marriage, death of spouse, divorce, giving birth and loss of job. The occurrence of these events
leads to the creation of stress. Thus, significant life changes the life of a person in a manner that
is never quite the same as before. Significant Life Events may have positive and negative
impacts at the same time. However, there may be events that bring positive impacts to some
people and negative impacts to others. Hence, the reaction of the people also changes for the
same event. There are certain significant life events that people faces in their life span that
includes getting married, retirement and death of a loved person (Jessup et.al 2014).
b. Positive and Negative Impact of Two Life Events
The two life events considered here is marriage and retirement. The positive and negative
impacts of marriage and retirement are as follows:
Positive Impact of Marriage
1. Especially arranged marriages ensures social compatibility where generally differences
in social economic status, cultural upbringing and differences in religion are mostly avoided that
leads to avoidance of arguments among the spouses (Wildeman and Turney 2014).

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
2. Marriage also results in having an extended family.
Negative Impacts of Marriage
1. There lies a mystery that is attached with marriage since both the people takes their
own time in knowing each other
2. There is always a preference of the family that the self in the institution of marriage.
Positive Impact of Retirement
1. The retired person can take up travel activities that the person was not able to do in the
past (Insler 2014). Moreover, it allows the person with enough time to take up activities like
playing tennis, walking, swimming and riding bikes.
2. The retired person can also devote some quality time in spending with his
grandchildren.
Negative Impact of Retirement
1. Retirement is the age when people come up with lots of health issues.
2. Individuals can also get into depression due to loss of identity from their work.
c. Impact of Cocaine Addiction on Josephus and Salma’s Family
According to impact of Cocaine addiction on Josephus and Salma’s Family are as
follows:
1. Future of the Family and the Children Molded: Cocaine addiction of Josephus lead
to mistreatment of Salma and their children resulting in molding their future (Parvaz et.al 2015).
There was also financial issues and psychological problems displayed by Josephus that lead to
such a behavior.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
2. Makes Family Relations Tough: Josephus also had sudden outbursts without any sort
of warning. In most of the cases, Salma are unable to understand that the reactions are because of
the addiction and therefore it becomes a tough time for the family.
3. Lead to Disgruntled Attitude: Cocaine users like Josephus show disgruntled attitude
because of the addiction that may be antisocial behavior, anxiety, paranoia.
Task 1.2
Analyzing the Possible Group Responses to Significant Life Events in the Life of Josephus
and Salma
According to the case study, Josephus and Salma, friends were depressed, frustrated,
anxious, dissatisfied and stressed after the revelation of the cocaine addiction (Flores 2013).
Their coworkers on the other hand not only isolated them from Josephus and Salma’s but also
lost trust and expressed disgrace to work with them. Some of the close knitted co-workers also
felt frustrated.
Task 1.3
Analyzing the Impact for Others in Health and Social care (Malcolm and George) when an
individual experiences significant life events.
a. Impact of Josephus Tantrums on Malcolm the Health Care Worker
Malcolm was the healthcare worker appointed to Josephus in the rehabilitation centre.
Malcolm had a tough time dealing with Josephus since he had to deal with all his unnecessary
tantrums that was the result of the cocaine addiction (van Boekel et.al 2014). A time came when

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
the tantrums of Josephus became unbearable for him and therefore he was very happy when he
saw some Salma waiting to pick him up on the last day.
b. Role of George in Changing Josephus Behavior and Help him Get back His Self-
Confidence
In the case study, the post rehab support that Salma got for prevention of addiction
recurrence for her husband Josephus was difficult to implement so she opted for more interactive
ways for helping Josephus. Thus, as a result Salma along with Josephus joined the support group
of their local community centre where people share their experiences of coping. The help from
the support group continued for three months that also lead to the behavioral improvement of
Josephus because of the support group leader George. He along with his group not only provided
emotional guidance but also at the same time supported the addicted people when they
experienced craving. The support group also enabled Josephus to meet new people and learn new
skills in conquering cravings. They also made sure that they provide enough support in difficult
emotional times of Josephus (Arno et.al 2017). Thus, in the case study, support group made
Josephus more confident in owning back the trust of his friends that was lost due to his
disgruntled attitude and cocaine addiction.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Task 2
Task 2.1
Effectiveness of Organizational Policies and Procedures in Supporting Josephus and Salma
and their Social Networks affected by their Significant Life Event
There are however, certain policies and procedures that are effective in supporting
Josephus and Salma impacted by Significant Life Event. These policies and procedures include
alcohol and drug abuse policies and procedures, drug rehabilitation policy, health and safety
policy (Vinogradova et.al 2014). There are also safeguarding issues like drug screening and
NMC codes of practice that supports Josephus and Salma.
Drug Abuse Policy
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Drug Act 2005 classified drugs depending on the
frequency of harm they do to an individual along with the penalties imposed by the court of law
(Monaghan 2014). According to the act, a person found with a possession of even small quantity
of drugs can end up with a criminal record that can make it impossible for him in getting a job
and bar him from travelling overseas.
Procedures for Dealing with Addicts
The procedures for dealing with the Addicts are as follows(Bachman et.al 2015):
1. If an individual turns up in an addicted state then there might be disciplinary warnings
issued against him and if drugs found to be the reasons then the individual forced to discuss the
reason for dependency.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
2. Constant observation by the colleagues and the supervisors on the behavior of someone
influenced by drugs and resulting in lower performance brought under the supervision of the HP
managers.
3. Cooperation with the people who are addicts so that it results in appropriate treatments
4. People who seek help in such cases assured confidentiality as far as possible
5. There would be disciplinary action taken against people whose performance suffers
because of drug dependency that might sometimes lead to termination of job. However, such
actions remain suspended during the treatment period.
6. The dependency of the member on substance cannot only endanger them but also
others. Therefore, immediate corrective action undertaken against them for prevention of the
damage created. However, there will be consideration of the drug problem of the concerned
person but the person will not face exemption from the normal consequences faced due to
misconduct and poor performance.
Drug Rehabilitation Policy
The policy of Drug Rehabilitation refers to the medical or psychotherapeutic treatments
for the cure of dependency on substances that are psychoactive which includes prescription
drugs, alcohol and street drugs that include cocaine, amphetamines and heroin. The intention
behind a drug rehabilitation policy is to ensure that patients become capable enough in
confronting the dependency on the substance, cease it completely and avoid financial, social,
legal, psychological and physical caused because of extreme abuse(Gyawali et.al 2016).
Treatment however includes prescribed medication for depression and other disorders,
counseling by the experts and experience sharing with other addicts.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Health and safety policy
The health and safety policy represents a statement in a written form put forward by the
employer that states that the commitment of the company in protecting the safety and health of
the employees (Cooper and Tempalski 2014). Thus, it an endorsed commitment adopted by the
management of the company thereby ensuring the health and safety of its employees.
Drug Screening
Drug Screening however refers to a five panel drug test that is undertaken for testing
commonly abused substances like cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and other drugs in a person so
that the person can be provided with the appropriate treatment(Saitz et.al 2014).
Mental Health Act
The Mental Health Act came into play in the year 1959 in the Parliament of United
Kingdom whose main objectives was focused on abolishing distinction between any psychiatric
hospital and any other hospital and thus to deinstitutionalize the mental health patients so that
they can be treated more by the community (Beronio, Glied and Frank 2014).
Mental Health Act put forward certain positive aspects. In this context, it can be said that
the act has highlighted the role government in providing treatment, positive care and
rehabilitation of effected person but also undertake suitable measures for reducing the recurrence
(Chadda 2014). The act also provides a detailed description of the rights that a person with
mental illness. According to the act, a person can seek the help of the act in availing treatment at
an affordable cost and good quality that is not only acceptable by the patient but also his family
members. Moreover, with the help of this act there is also a provision of medical insurance for

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
treating mental illness along with physical ones. Further, the act also mentions the duties of the
government in planning, designing and implementing programs related to mental health.
On the other hand, the act also has certain negative aspects. Firstly the propositions
mentioned in the act follows an over inclusive approach that stretch beyond the legislative limit
(Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi 2014). Thus, it becomes a challenging for the stakeholders to
understand whether they are treatment guidelines, policy, program or legislation. The rules
should be formulated in a manner that considers the stakeholder’s opinion and suitable for the
person possessing mental illness. There have been instances that the providers of the act and the
family member are of the patient are the primary violators of the rights allocated to the patient
with mental illness (Allen et.al 2014). Further, the act also does not consider the significant
contribution of the family members in the form of frustration, burden, isolation, violence which
they undergo as a result of the person with mental illness. Thus, the act also remains silent on the
contribution of the care giver and the family. The act also mentions that people with severe
mental illness who are detained forcefully are allowed treatment and admission.
Task 2.2
Explanation of How Other Social Network is providing Support to Josephus and Salma
The other social Network group of Josephus and Salma included family, friends, people
from the community and colleagues who tried to support them psychologically, socially and
emotionally (Best et.al 2016). There was also a support group in the local community that helped
Josephus in coping with his condition through mental and emotional support.

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
Task 2.3
Evaluation of the External Support for Those Affected By Significant Life Events
According to the case study, the external source that acted as a support in dealing with
the significant life event included Rehabilitation support. After spending three years as cocaine
addict, Salma used the health insurance and sent Josephus into a 28 day recovery addiction
program put forward by a rehabilitation support. Thus, the rehabilitation support transformed
Josephus into a sober human being (Sofuoglu et.al 2014). This is because the rehabilitation
support tried to establish an acceptable and ethical behavior through identification of irrigational
thinking and compulsive behavior of addicts. Moreover, the rehabilitation centre ensures that the
drug is completely out of the patient’s body and that he looks healthier and cleaner through
activities like yoga, natural sleep and regular meals. This support played a role which was more
than just detoxification in Josephus life by bringing in spiritual and emotional balance.
Task 3
Task 3.1
Analyzing the Possible Organizational Responses for Supporting Josephus and Salma in
Experiencing Significant Life Event
In the case study, Josephus wife made use of the health insurance and sent him to a 28
day recovery for addiction program. This program provided Josephus with a positive and safe
ambience which remained surrounded by therapist, counselors, psychologist, medical personnel,
psychologist, nurses and physical therapist (Everitt and Robbins 2016). In addition the program
also allowed Josephus to meet other addicts who are in a similar situation thereby ensuring the

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
creation of new bond for motivation and friendship. Further, the addiction centre also helped
Josephus to understand the real reasons that led to the addiction. There he also met Malcolm who
was the healthcare worker and his partner in the healing process through tolerating his tantrums.
Thus, the addiction centre helped Josephus in being comfortable with him and hope for a better
life. Moreover, the rehab provided enough motivation, necessary attention and time to Josephus
to remain calm and sober. These centre also male the addicts realize that words and actions that
might hurt someone physically, mentally and spiritually (Amon et.al 2014). Moreover, the
addiction centre also provided some leaflet to Salma that had general guidelines for supporting
Josephus for prevention of a recurrence. The family also joined a Support group in the local
community where people shared their experiences of coping. The impact of the Support group
was so powerful that it transformed Josephus into a confident man who won the trust of his
friends and family. The support group helps the addicts to deal with stress, anxiety and
depression by providing a strong support mentally as well as emotionally.
Task 3.2
Reflection of Personal Contribution for Supporting Individuals Experiencing Significant
Life Events
My Brother was has been an alcohol addict who not only abused the trust the family but
also the people around him. The addiction became so overpowering that he not only misbehaved
but also took to things like telling lies and stealing(Mann et.al 2013). The incident became so
disturbing for the family that I finally thought of seeking a potentially lifesaving act for his
treatment. I could have let him perish in the hands of alcohol. Things were difficult initially but
things gradually started falling into places. The first step that I took for his treatment was the
establishment of trust and patiently listening to him without any sort of blame. In addition, I also

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
avoided yelling, criticizing, nagging and at the same time lecturing (Mason et.al 2014). Then
with his consent, I planned an intervention of sending him to a rehabilitation centre. There he
was not alone as I was always there to accompany him and tried to respect his privacy by
shielding the matter from friends, loved ones and families. Moreover, whenever asked to attend a
session with the therapist I made it a point to avoid any kind of humiliation, criticism and blames
towards my brother. Thus, over, the years the treatment received from the rehab and the support
as a sibling has completely transformed him into a better human being.
Task 3.3
Recommendations for Support Improvement in the Health and Social Care Organization
for Individuals and Social Networks Affected By Cocaine Addiction
Recommendations for Support Improvement in the Health and Social Care Organization for
social networks and individuals affected by cocaine addiction can be on the following grounds:
 Through implementation of policies and procedures
 Through implementation of campaign programs
 Ensuring financial assistance to the Family
 Changing health beliefs
 Through initiation of individual and family therapies
Conclusion
The report ends by providing recommendations on how there can be improvement of
support for available for the social and health care organizations affected by cocaine addiction.
There is also a self-reflection of the contributions made in supporting the individuals

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SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS
experiencing a significant life event. The organizational response for supporting Josephus and
Salma experiencing significant life event like cocaine addiction discussed in the report. The
report also evaluates the effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures in supporting
Salma and Josephus. An explanation of the support they receive from the social network and the
external sources in dealing with cocaine addiction finds a mention in the report. One can also
find the potential impact of cocaine addiction on the society and community as a whole including
family, friends and social workers.

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