Nursing Care: Substance Use in Teenagers, Samantha's Case Study

This assignment addresses the case of Samantha, a teenager struggling with substance use, and explores the nursing care required. It covers interview techniques, emphasizing a non-judgmental and confidential approach to build rapport with Samantha and her father. The assignment delves into the potential reasons for her behavior, including peer pressure and depression, and suggests evidence-based non-pharmacologic interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and motivational interviewing. It recommends a high level of care, including professional therapies and family support. The assignment also identifies challenges such as the lack of motherly support and the risk of relapse, underscoring the importance of comprehensive treatment and family engagement. References from reputable sources are included to support the analysis and recommendations, and the assignment highlights the importance of tailored care for teenagers struggling with substance use.

Care of the patient with substance use
1. How you would approach this interview and situation with Samantha and with her
father?
Interviewing and caring for the teenager with substance use is a challenging task for the
nurse. The nursing professional interviewing Samantha has to possess a friendly approach
with her and her father. The nurse has to present non-judgemental questions. The nurse has to
ensure the confidentiality of the information to encourage Samantha’s active participation in
the interview. The nurse has to understand the need for Samantha and provide information’s
accordingly (Shapiro, Coffa, & McCance-Katz, 2013). Emotional and moral support during
interview aids in building the interpersonal relationship between the nurse and Samantha.
2. What is do you think is the possible reason for her behaviour, provide a rationale
In the case scenario, Samantha is a teenage girl. Prevalence of the substance use among
teenagers in the US shows that the teenage group are a risk. Teenagers get addicted to
substances like narcotic drugs and cigarettes. Percentages of high school girls using the
substances are higher than boys. Age group is the major cause of the present condition. Peer
pressure is one of the reasons for Samantha to get into addiction. The other complaints are
decreased appetite and increased sleep for 10-12 hours which confirms that Samantha is
suffering from depression. Substance use and depression are some of the reason for her
behaviour (Bachman et al. 2014).
3. What non-pharmacologic interventions would suggest for Samantha and her family?
Evidence-based therapies can be implemented to support Samantha and family. Cognitive
behavioural therapy is the common therapy which includes the identification of maladaptive
behaviour and treating the same with coping skill. This therapy is also helpful in the relapse
of substance use (Bagøien et al. 2013). Contingency management is encouraging the person

and rewarding her with material to improve her behaviour. Motivational counselling helps in
developing self-motivation and self-control over the situation.
4. What level of care would you recommend be good for Samantha? Why?
Samantha is in depression associated with anger, irritation, and frustration which may be due
to the hormonal changes. In the case scenario, Samantha’s father is accompanying her which
shows that she is growing up with the single parent. Implementation of therapies by the
health care professional is the high priority care for Samantha (McGorry, Purcell, Goldstone,
& Amminger, 2011). Her father has to provide moral and psychological support in the
process of de-addiction. The father needs to analyse the cause for substance use with the help
of professional and implement interventions accordingly for a better outcome.
5. What challenges you would anticipate in working with Samantha and her family?
In the case scenario, Samantha is lacking the support of her mother. Motherly support can
improve the treatment process. Motherly support cannot be expected from her father. So, the
nurse has to fill the gap and support her to overcome the problem. One major challenge in the
process of treatment is relapsed (Ford, 2011). Another challenge is to work with the person
and her family. The nurse has to critically analyse the cause before the commencement of
treatment. Explaining and engaging the family in the treatment is a difficult task.

References
Bagøien, G., Bjørngaard, J. H., Østensen, C., Reitan, S. K., Romundstad, P., & Morken, G.
(2013). The effects of motivational interviewing on patients with comorbid substance
use admitted to a psychiatric emergency unit-a randomised controlled trial with two
year follow-up. BMC psychiatry, 13(1), 93
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-244X-13-93
Bachman, J. G., O'Malley, P. M., Schulenberg, J. E., Johnston, L. D., Bryant, A. L., &
Merline, A. C. (2014). The decline of substance use in young adulthood: Changes in
social activities, roles, and beliefs. Psychology Press
https://books.google.co.in/books?
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nges+in+substance+use+&ots=G_TzvaBnw8&sig=vdp91roZ_rrzNGI1K4nRs5eK0iA
#v=onepage&q=reason%20for%20behavioral%20changes%20in%20substance
%20use&f=false
Ford, R. (2011). Interpersonal challenges as a constraint on care: The experience of nurses’
care of patients who use illicit drugs. Contemporary nurse, 37(2), 241-252
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.5172/conu.2011.37.2.241
McGorry, P. D., Purcell, R., Goldstone, S., & Amminger, G. P. (2011). Age of onset and
timing of treatment for mental and substance use disorders: implications for
preventive intervention strategies and models of care. Current opinion in
psychiatry, 24(4), 301-306
https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/Abstract/2011/07000/Age_of_onset_and_timi
ng_of_treatment_for_mental.8.aspx

Shapiro, B., Coffa, D., & McCance-Katz, E. F. (2013). A primary care approach to substance
misuse. American family physician, 88(2), 113-121
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0715/p113.html