Case Study: Drug Addiction, Rehabilitation, and Family Support

This case study examines the complex issue of drug addiction among youths in Australia, focusing on the protagonist Jonno's struggles with substance abuse and homelessness. It explores the prevalence of drug use among young Australians, highlighting the impact on families and the associated psychological disorders. The case study delves into various theoretical perspectives on addiction, including the roles of family, parental guidance, social influences, and biological factors. It discusses theories such as the disease theory, self-addiction hypothesis, and behavioral perspectives, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying causes of addiction. The case study proposes a strategic framework for addressing Jonno's situation, emphasizing the need for family cooperation, psychological assessment, and government-supported rehabilitation programs. It underscores the significance of parental involvement in the recovery process and the availability of medical treatments and routine check-ups to ensure effective drug prohibition treatment.

Running Head:CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

1CASE STUDY
Introduction
Homelessness and drug treatment has a close affinity in the context of Australia. As per
the government it can be opined that majority of this drug related homelessness are identified as
the male. The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services National Minimum Dataset (AODTS
NMDS) and the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) try to point of the problem
as a crucial threat for the Australian society. As a matter of fact, the aihw.gov.au (2018) also
states that there are almost 6 out of 10 males who are facing problem regarding the AOD
treatment and homelessness issue. Based on this understanding, it can be argued that there are
great importance of managing and resolving those issues. The topic statement for this theme is
role of rehabilitation for drug addicted youths and the responsibility of parents. In this context,
this essay is going to discuss the theories and plan that can develop a strategic framework in
order to mitigate the problems effectively. Moreover, the strategic plan will be established on the
basis of the theoretical implication and closely interconnected with the theme of the discussion.
Main body
It can be argued that Jonno, the protagonist of this context has some serious problem
regarding drug abuse. As per the report of Aihw.gov.au. (2014) illicit use of durgs and alcohol is
considered to be a common trend among the Australian youths. The age of 14 is identified as the
initial age of using drugs and it becomes an increasing trend in the latter half of the age. For an
instance, the average rate of using drugs among the youths has been escalated from 19.3 in 2013
to 19.7 in 2016 (aihw.gov.au, 2018). As a result of that there are huge consequences that the
families are suffering with apart from the health related problems and diseases. Psychological

2CASE STUDY
disorder is a common phenomenon in Australia where according to Australian Child and
Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2013-14 around 45% of the Australian
youths are suffering with mental disorder (aihw.gov.au, 2014). It can create huge obstacle for the
development of the human resource and the economy of the country.
In addition to this, it can be stated that the role of the family and the parental guidance is
also an important aspect that can contribute to the eradication of the use of illegal drugs by the
Australian youths. However, in case of Jonno, he has been ousted from his parental home and
now he lives in a friend’s home for the time being. As a matter of fact, he gets a stay order
deadline that stated that he can stay in his friend’s place for not more than 2 months more. In this
regard, it can create a great deal of problem for Jonno to survive effectively. It can also be
argued that having estranged relationship with parents does not exempt the parents to take
adequate responsibility to ensure the safety and good upbringing of their children. As per the
research of Higa-McMillan, Francis, Rith-NajarianandChorpita (2016) it can be seen that the
adolescent period is a very important phase for both the youths and parents as most of the young
people are getting violated and dragging towards malpractices. Therefore, it is important to deal
with both the practice of rehabilitation and parenthood at the same time.
According to Moore, Fraser, TörrönenandTinghög (2016) addiction is more of a social
illness than the medical or psychological illness. In this regard, there are number of factors that
can instigate the youths to get addicted by the drug addiction. Among all those factors depression
is considered to be the most important factor that can help to enhance the proneness towards drug
addiction. As a matter of fact, the research of Dingle, Cruwys andFrings (2015) clearly asserted
that during the adolescent period the chances of depression becomes so high that the youths are
inclined towards drugs. It is important to understand the mental state of the youths during this

3CASE STUDY
time and the implication of the social environment that drives a great deal of impact on the
context of increasing nature of the drug abuse among the youths. Moreover, the4 social context
is also resembled with the responsibility and activities of the parents that can intensify the drug
addiction among the youths.
There is a correlation between the drug addiction among the youths and its biological
interpretation. It can be claimed that apart from the socio-cultural and psychological aspects, the
biological approach is also played a significant role in order to understand the increase of drug
addiction among the youths. Having a close affinity with the disease theory, the neurobiological
interpretation also advocates that addiction to drugs is an outcome of brain dis-functionality.
However, in comparing with the disease theory, the biological approach does not condemn drug
abuse as a disease. Rather it identifies the proneness towards drug abuse is related to the genetic
component to addiction. As per the research of Miller et al. (2018) it can be pointed out that
genetic preferences for using drugs is not activate due to weakness. Rather it is a spontaneous
process and biological impression makes them to attract towards addiction. Moreover, MacNicol
(2017) mentioned that the drugs can contribute a lot to change the functions of brains in an
intense manner. For an instance, the natural balance of the brain can be tampered. Besides this,
altering the chemistry of the brain and changing the communication pattern of the brain are also
identified as significant symptoms of biological addiction. In case of the youths this seems to be
a normal matter but can be eradicated through medical therapies.
As far as the disease theory of drug addiction is concerned, it can be argued that there is a
staunch perception against the perpetuating abuse of illegal substances. According to
Toups,Carmody, Trivedi, RushandHedayati(2016) this theory tries to point out the tolerance to
drugs. It means the drug abuse people intakes more drugs than the desired rate of abuse. This is

4CASE STUDY
considered to be one of the final stage of drug addiction where the people are highly prone
towards using drugs despite of having in-depth knowledge regarding the adverse consequences
of intake drugs. Moreover, Wiensand Walker (2015) advocated that in this phase the drug users
withdraw all the physical measures of prohibiting drug use. In this regard, Edlund et al. (2015)
ascribed that the pleasure and the motivation towards using drugs has a great impact on the
human brains to creating change in behaviour, emotion and cognition. It is a medical disease that
can cause dysfunction in healthy organs. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that the drug use
sometimes have a hereditary implication on the young people to get attracted by the use of drugs
and alcohol. As a result of that it becomes a serious threat to the young people because despite of
having insights of the drug abusing consequences they still intends to use drugs extensively.
The self-addiction hypothesis is referred as one of the traditional theory related to
understand the origin of drug addiction. Coupled with the household expression of emotional
suffering and complexities of feelings Smith et al. (2017) mentioned that the social isolation can
lead towards choosing alcohol or other drugs as a self-medication process that can contribute to
develop the addiction among the youths. In addition to this, AwadandVoruganti (2015) figured
out that the social popularisation towards alcoholism and the advertisements have a deep impact
on the psychology of the youths and it paves the way for drug addiction emphatically. In this
context, Tronnier (2015) advocated that the negative impression of the culture also considered to
be a part of drug addiction that encourages and attracts the youths to go for the illegal substances.
In case of developing a better understanding regarding the theory of addiction
AwadandVoruganti (2015) interpreted the tendency on the ground of psychological implication.
In other words, it can be opined that psychological appeal on individuals provoke them to
succumb into addiction profoundly.

5CASE STUDY
As a matter of fact, the research of James and Tunney (2017) propounded the
behavioural perspective leading to enhance the addiction rate among the youths. As per the
research it can be formulated that the specific behaviours of the drug offenders and perception
towards using illegal substances are the main reason behind the practice of drug addiction. In this
context, there are several behavioural models and structures are facilitated by the researchers and
behavioural scientists that put emphasis on the cognitive understanding like anxiety and
depression as the driven factors to increase the rate of drug addiction among the people.
Moreover, Kourrich, CaluandBonci (2015) further expands the understanding of behavioural
underpinnings of drug addiction among young people by linking it with the biological
interpretation. In this context, Kardefelt‐Winther et al. (2017) also put a great deal of impression
on the role of the parents and family to develop the behavioural changes in the minds of the
youths that push them to opt for drugs and other illegal substances.
Based on this understanding, it can be argued that despite of having a great deal of
importance on the spontaneous and biological considerations behind the illegal use of drugs there
are still a resemblance of the families to intensify the process among the youths. Moreover, it can
also be seen that lack of understanding of the consequences of their attitude the parents
unintentionally encourage their children to take drugs in a random manner. Therefore, the role of
the parents and the self-assessments are considered to be important in terms of eradicating and
preventing the use of illegal substances.
For such cases like Jonno, it is important to make a better framework for making a
cooperation from the end of both the family and the individuals. Moreover, it can also be stated
that evaluation of the cause of addiction is also required primarily in order to plan an effective
framework. Analysing the perception of the parents and their attitude towards helping their

6CASE STUDY
children to get out of the drug addiction is considered to be the most effective process in the drug
prevention process among the youths.
Besides this, the next step will be analysing the mentality and perception of the youths
and find out the reason behind his or her drug abuse. In case of Jonno, it is highly resembled
with the behavioural and social theory of drug addiction. Therefore, the participation of the
parents is also important in the process of rehabilitation of Jonno because the family is somehow
responsible to create depression. It can be stated that the estranged relationship with father does
not mean his father would throw him out of the house. Parents are played a significant role in
order to guide their children in crisis situation.
In this process, both the parents and the youths will be participated in the drug
prevention program. Moreover, it can be argued that the government framework and the
rehabilitation facilities are also there that can assist the families to ensure the safety and
wellbeing of the youths. Moreover, there are also some medical staffs who can guide the family
to resolve the drug related problem through in-depth analysis of the psychological assessment.
Based on the entire process, the medical expert will advise the family to follow adequate
measures and provide necessary medical treatments.
Finally, tenure of recovering will be provided where both the family and the Jonno will
cooperate and understand the importance of the prohibition of drugs. After that a routine check-
up will be placed in order to evaluate the development.

7CASE STUDY
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be argued that procuring effective means of drug prohibition
treatment is an important measure for the drug abusers. In this regard, family support is very
important. The above strategic plan will provide efficiency in the process of drug prevention
measures. Nevertheless, it is primarily important for Jonno’s family to take care of him and
helps him to get over of this habit. Thus enriching the young life is very helpful to prevent the
illegal use of drugs. Therefore, it can be concluded that the essay rightly points out various
theories leading to drug abuse and the strategies of preventing drug abuse effectively.

8CASE STUDY
Reference
Aihw.gov.au. (2014). Exploring drug treatment and homelessness in Australia. Retrieved
from https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/088123dd-a9f2-40f8-b92e-1386f965ed9a/
19940.pdf.aspx?inline=true
aihw.gov.au. (2018). Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia, Young people - Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved from
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/
contents/priority-populations/young-people
Awad, A. G., &Voruganti, L. L. (2015). Revisiting the ‘self-medication’hypothesis in light of
the new data linking low striatal dopamine to comorbid addictive
behavior. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 5(3), 172-178.Retrieved
from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2045125315583820
Dingle, G. A., Cruwys, T., &Frings, D. (2015). Social identities as pathways into and out of
addiction. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 1795.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01795/full
Edlund, M. J., Forman-Hoffman, V. L., Winder, C. R., Heller, D. C., Kroutil, L. A., Lipari,
R. N., &Colpe, L. J. (2015). Opioid abuse and depression in adolescents: results from
the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Drug and alcohol dependence, 152,
131-138.Retrieved fromhttp://daneshyari.com/article/preview/1069779.pdf
Higa-McMillan, C. K., Francis, S. E., Rith-Najarian, L., &Chorpita, B. F. (2016). Evidence
base update: 50 years of research on treatment for child and adolescent

9CASE STUDY
anxiety. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 45(2), 91-113.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15374416.2015.1046177
James, R. J., & Tunney, R. J. (2017). The need for a behavioural analysis of behavioural
addictions. Clinical Psychology Review, 52, 69-76.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735816303798
Kardefelt‐Winther, D., Heeren, A., Schimmenti, A., van Rooij, A., Maurage, P., Carras,
M., ...&Billieux, J. (2017). How can we conceptualize behavioural addiction without
pathologizing common behaviours?. Addiction, 112(10), 1709-1715.Retrieved
fromhttps://dial.uclouvain.be/pr/boreal/object/boreal%3A185224/datastream/
PDF_01/view
Kourrich, S., Calu, D. J., &Bonci, A. (2015). Intrinsic plasticity: an emerging player in
addiction. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(3), 173.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Antonello_Bonci/publication/
272517816_Intrinsic_plasticity_An_emerging_player_in_addiction/links/
5501b82e0cf24cee39f8a496/Intrinsic-plasticity-An-emerging-player-in-addiction.pdf
MacNicol, B. (2017). The biology of addiction. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal
canadiend'anesthésie, 64(2), 141-148.Retrieved
fromhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12630-016-0771-2
Miller, M. L., Ren, Y., Szutorisz, H., Warren, N. A., Tessereau, C., Egervári, G., ...&
Schumann, G. (2018). Ventral striatal regulation of CREM mediates impulsive action
and drug addiction vulnerability. Molecular psychiatry, 23(5), 1328.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.nature.com/articles/mp201780

10CASE STUDY
Moore, D., Fraser, S., Törrönen, J., &Tinghög, M. E. (2015). Sameness and difference:
Metaphor and politics in the constitution of addiction, social exclusion and gender in
Australian and Swedish drug policy. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(4),
420-428.Retrieved
fromhttps://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstream/handle/20.500.11937/14578/230007.pdf?
sequence=2&isAllowed=y
Smith, L. L., Yan, F., Charles, M., Mohiuddin, K., Tyus, D., Adekeye, O., & Holden, K. B.
(2017). Exploring the Link Between Substance Use and Mental Health Status: What
Can We Learn from the Self-medication Theory?. Journal of health care for the poor
and underserved, 28(2), 113-131.Retrieved
fromhttps://muse.jhu.edu/article/656966/summary
Toups, M., Carmody, T., Trivedi, M. H., Rush, A. J., &Hedayati, S. S. (2016). Performance
of depression rating scales in patients with chronic kidney disease: an item response
theory-based analysis. General hospital psychiatry, 42, 60-66.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163834316300937
Tronnier, C. D. (2015). Harnessing attachment in addiction treatment: regulation theory and
the self-medication hypothesis. Journal of social work practice in the
addictions, 15(3), 233-251.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1533256X.2015.1056529
Wiens, T. K., & Walker, L. J. (2015). The chronic disease concept of addiction: Helpful or
harmful?. Addiction research & theory, 23(4), 309-321.Retrieved
fromhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/16066359.2014.987760

11CASE STUDY
Appendix
Case Plan Template: Case Management Service
Clients Name: Jonno
Case Plan Goal (overall goal): Role of rehabilitation for drug addicted youths and the
responsibility of parents.
Objectives Actions & Tasks Responsibility Time Frame
Understanding the root
of the addiction
 Direct interaction
with Jonno
 The psychiatrist
 Counselling expert
 Medical expert
2 weeks
Evaluating the
relationship with the
family
 Interactive session
with Jonno and his
parents (but the
session will be
completed
separately)
 The psychiatrist
 Respective agent
from the
government agency
3 weeks
Making a clear
identification regarding
the importance of the
drug prohibition
strategy
 Joint session with
Jonno and his
parents.
 Underlining the
fatal consequences
of drug abuse.
 Government agent
 Local psychiatrist
 Counselling expert
 Medical expert
1 week
Preparing
rehabilitation treatment
for Jonno
 Proper medical care
and effective
psychiatric
evaluation for
Jonno
 Medical expert
 Local psychiatrist
 Counselling expert
8 weeks
Developing the
responsible attitude of
the parents towards
drug addiction among
their children
 Interactive session
with the parents
 Make them aware
of the health
condition of Jonno
 Counselling expert
 Respective agent
from the government
agency
1 week