A Reflection On Substance Abuse Essay - 1113 Words

My reflection paper is on the subject of substance abuse. As the structure of society changes, the acceptability of one drug or another changes. I have dealt with my own experiences of substance abuse personally and through family and friends throughout my community. I believe there are many underlying problems Native people face today that lead to substance abuse. So, drug use and alcoholism is not the problem in my town, those are more like side effects of something deeper. I would have to agree most with the symbolic interactionist perspective as far as the labeling theory goes. There are also many images in the media that depict the use of drugs and alcohol to make it seem like even though it is bad, it is sometimes okay. These images sparked my own curiosity to experience a fun high or a night out with friends and hopefully getting lucky. I had so many questions about drug use and alcohol. My older siblings and cousins were involved in those circles so it was only natur al that me and my cousins and peers who I grew up with got into smoking marijuana and buying drinks on the weekends. I did not know at the time about the dangers of underage drinking. I also had very little knowledge of the condition of my mental health at my young age. Eventually I found out that I had an addictive personality and I got myself into a downward spiral of substance abuse. My drug of choice is marijuana. Some people say marijuana is not a drug. Many people say that it is justShow MoreRelatedA Reflection On Substance Abuse858 Words   |  4 Pages I can honestly say I have this talk with myself quite often. I wasted so many years on my past, and wasted time with my children. Even though I may have been there physically at times, I was not there mentally in those moments. I can say substance abuse has ruled my every thought of my past, present and future. Since my sobriety, living in the present moment and developing a greater self-awareness is something I have been learning and discovering along the way. The present moment is a wonderfulRead MoreAn Effective Substance Abuse Counselor1268 Words   |  6 PagesTo become an effective substance abuse counselor, there are six key points which include: knowing the principles of MI, being able to help strengthen a client’s coping skills, being able to utilize OARS, understanding Thomas Gordon’s Twelve Roadblocks, being knowledgeable about drugs, and having knowledge of assessing and Individualizing Evidence Based Treatment Plans. An effective substance abuse counselor needs to utilize the OARS. The OARS acronym includes: open-ended questions, affirmationsRead MoreSubstance Abuse In America Case Study780 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance abuse in America has gone to lengths such as reaching the rural Appalachian culture in West Virginia. 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TheseRead MoreUnderstanding And Abolishing Spiritual Stereotypes967 Words   |  4 PagesUnderstanding and Abolishing Spiritual Stereotypes Substance abuse providers that believe spirituality and religion is one in the same, may hold the belief that an individual that is an atheist or agnostic will not have the opportunity to acquire spiritual opportunities when participating in alcohol and addiction programs (Sussman et al., 2013). In addition, these substance abuse providers may believe that when an individual that eliminates alcohol and drug abuse without the intervention of spiritual assistanceRead MoreThe Importance Of Group Therapy1241 Words   |  5 Pagesform, the group therapist must have therapeutic skills that helps them connect with their clients. Carl Rogers theorized that therapist possess certain skills that would help them connect with their clients; i.e., being genuine, active listening, reflection of feelings, immediacy, and appropriate self-disclosure (Capuzzi Gross, 2011). These therapeutic skills are crucial in building the trust and alliances with clients. Group therapist need to be ‘for real’ in their approach to group. If the therapist