Understanding the prevalence of substance abuse and addiction in correctional populations and the role of social workers in addressing these issues.
Substance Abuse Epidemiology: The study of the patterns and distribution of substance abuse and addiction within specific populations, including demographic insights and relevant research.
Substance Use Disorders: Different categories of substance-use disorder, including moderate and severe, and the common symptoms of each.
Co-Occurring Disorders: The comorbidity of substance abuse with other mental health and medical conditions, including the diagnosis, treatment, and interventions that are available.
Prevention: How to identify and reduce risk factors, as well as develop and organize prevention programs that target at-risk groups.
Screening and Assessment: Undiscovering a patient's history of substance abuse, assessing the severity of addiction, and determining an individualized course of treatment.
Treatment Interventions: Interventions like pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and support groups, and how to select the best course of action for a patient based on their specific needs.
Case Management: The general principles of case management, including monitoring patients' treatment progress, linking patients to appropriate community resources, evaluating treatment success, and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.
Criminal Justice System: Understanding how the criminal justice system handles substance-related crimes, including courts, arrest, and probation and parole, as well as how corrections social workers can help those in custody, with post-release support.
Professional Ethics: Expectations of professional behavior and ethical attitudes when working with substance abuse clients, such as maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, while recognizing and avoiding implicit bias while treating the person adequately, making evidence-based interventions more effective.
Alcohol abuse: The excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks can cause physical, psychological, and social harm to individuals.
Drug abuse: It involves the continuous use of drugs for non-medical purposes, causing addiction and other health complications.
Prescription drug abuse: Using prescription drugs for recreational purposes, which are not prescribed to you, can lead to addiction and severe health issues.
Nicotine abuse: The excessive use of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, etc., can result in deadly diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and other chronic health illnesses.
Marijuana abuse: The use of marijuana can have different effects on people. While it is considered a recreational drug, it can have harmful effects on the brain, lungs, and immune system.
Cocaine abuse: This is a highly addictive drug that causes euphoria and pleasure but with a lot of side effects that can lead to deadly consequences.
Inhalant abuse: The inhalation of chemical vapors, aerosols, and gases to achieve a temporary high can cause nerve damage, organ damage, seizures, and even death.
Steroid abuse: The use of steroids is common among athletes and bodybuilders. However, it can have serious side effects on mental and physical health.
Hallucinogen abuse: The use of hallucinogenic drugs can cause serious changes in perception, mood, and sensory experiences. It can lead to psychosis, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts.
Opioid abuse: Opioids are highly addictive drugs that include prescription painkillers and heroin. It can cause respiratory depression, severe addiction, and even death.