Case Study: Evaluating Methodologies in Youth Advocacy for Joe

This case study report delves into various methodologies employed by psychologists and adolescent behavior experts to address youth issues like drug addiction and substance abuse. It focuses on methods such as motivational interviewing, which fosters intrinsic motivation, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses behavioral patterns linked to addiction. The report compares these approaches, highlighting their effectiveness in treating teenagers like Joe by targeting the mental factors contributing to substance abuse rather than solely focusing on physical aspects. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of empathetic interaction when dealing with troubled teenagers and acknowledging the complexity of substance abuse as a societal problem.

Case Study: Joe
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Perspectives and methodologies involved in advocacy for youth..........................................3
Comparison of methodologies................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
This report will describe various methodologies and approaches that are used by
psychologists and teenage behaviour experts to rid their physical and mental problems such as
drug addiction and substance abuse (Eivers and Kelly, 2020). There will be comparative analysis
between every model used in order to help the person listed in the case study which this report is
based on using different methods along with the listing of their merits and demerits in the
evaluation and treatment.
MAIN BODY
Perspectives and methodologies involved in advocacy for youth
When it comes to treating complex problems like drug addiction and substance abuse in
teenagers, the job is very difficult as the behaviour that such people display is a combination of
different social and cultural factors occurring at different places such as their homes and schools.
There are various methodologies that are explained below which can help Joe with his problems
and allow the people in charge to successfully alter his path away from being filled with
substance abuse.
Motivational interviewing
It is a popular technique of counselling which involves encouraging and instilling
standards of intrinsic motivation in a patient to help them recover from cases of drug and harmful
substance abuse. This method is used to engage with patients and form a bond with them which
respects their autonomy and outlook on life to teach them about getting motivated to live a drug
free life (Tai,and et.al., 2020). By using this technique with Joe, his fear and resentment of his
step father can be resolved by communicating with him and making him understand his step

child better. Getting rid of Joe's fear of his hairs being cut by his father can also be an important
step in motivating him to get away from drugs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This is also a widely used methodology in addiction treatment where the patient is forced
to recognize the patterns and behavioural factors which has led to them taking a life of addiction
to help them get free from harmful substances. Having Joe feel that his parents still love him
despite their actions sometimes saying otherwise and his actions are a result of his lifestyle and
social circles can help him see things differently. Cognitive behaviour is easily identified in
patients like Joe as their lives are very complicated.
Comparison of methodologies
Both the listed methods are very effective in making teenagers like Joe quit abusing
harmful substances as both of these approaches work on the mental factors which lead to such
problems rather than focusing on the physical elements. However, both methods are very
different in concept as motivational interviewing operates on the basis that motivation can be
taught to individuals while cognitive therapy works under the assumption that substance abuse is
a result of environmental factors rather than internal processes.
CONCLUSION
The above report went into detail regarding the various options available with authorities
and experts who deal with the problem of substance abuse in societies and encounter teenagers
frequently. Motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy were explained and

compared with each other to determine and highlight best possible approaches to help troubled
teenagers. It was concluded that substance abuse is a complex problem in teenagers and they
must be interacted with empathy in mind.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Eivers, A. and Kelly, A.B., 2020. Navigating the teenage years: what do we know about how
adolescents find meaning and purpose?. In Navigating Life Transitions for Meaning (pp.
15-30). Academic Press.
Tai, H., and et.al., 2020. The future of substance abuse now: relationships among adolescent use
of vaping devices, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids. Substance Use & Misuse,
56(2), pp.192-204.