CaseSTudyADULTHOODANALYSIS.docx

CASE STUDY

Presenting Issues
Mary is a 22-year-old College student. Before her prescription drug abuse, her grades are above average, encouraging family relationships, and a promising gymnastics career. Unfortunately, it did not take long for Mary to figure out how to the pills at school, although it was costly at $30 to $50 per Oxy. As Mary’s addiction grew, her supplier recommended she crush it, eliminate the time-release coating, and snort it for a more powerful effect. Soon after that, a more addicted Mary became unable to afford the heavy street price of OxyContin and began to explore alternatives. Heroin, a similar opiate, sells for only $5 a bag, and Mary began to snort and then inject this more affordable drug. Mary is now in desperate straits. She uses heroin two to three times per day, alone, both for pleasure and staves off withdrawal symptoms.

Biological and Psychological Development
Mary’s early childhood, her parents were not always available to her. Her mother suffered back trauma that caused her to take the prescription drug Oxytocin for pain. Oxytocin is a very addictive Opioid. Mary began to show signs of abandonment stopped attending gymnastic events several months ago; she’s failing all of her classes, lacks interest in school, and is forgetful. Her friend group has also shifted to other drug users. Mary had tried to stop using on her own but quickly returns to heroin or OxyContin as cravings arise or when “triggered” by stressful life events, school pressure, or friends. Mary’s parents, unaware of the seriousness of the situation, realize that something is not right and turn to me, a social worker, for help.

Medical and Psychiatric History
Before marys addiction, she was a well-rounded student with no psychological problems. Mary started to feel more and more alone, and she began experimenting with her mother’s prescription drugs. Mary has tried to stop using on her own but quickly returns to heroin or OxyContin as cravings arise or “triggered” by stressful life events, school pressure, or friends and the feeling of abandonment.

Family

Mary is an only child her mother, and Mary is a stay-at-home mom. Her father is always working hardly ever home. Mary’s mother, Mrs. Samantha Youngs, has been emotionally unavailable for years; she takes Oxytocin for chronic lower back pain.
Mrs. Young failed to notice missing pills for numerous months; Mary’s parents, uninformed of the significance of the situation, Mary’s parents soon grasp that something is not right and seek help. The parents call DHR and are assigned a social worker for use. Mary’s story is far from unique. Prescription drug abuse described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Social
, Before the use of Oxyicotin, Mary loved going to movies and hanging out in the gym practicing with her friends. Later in her drug use, er friend group has also shifted to other drug users. Mariela had tried to stop using on her own but swiftly returns to heroin or OxyContin as cravings arise or when “triggered” by stressful life events, school pressure, or friends.

Education and Vocation
Mary was very athletic in school. Her grades are above average, encouraging family relationships, and a promising gymnastics career. She stopped attending gymnastic events several months ago, she’s failing all of her classes, lacks interest in school, and is forgetful. Mary has done quite well in school.

Psychosocial Stressors
Mary’s has tried to stop using on her own, but quickly returns to heroin or OxyContin as cravings arise or “triggered” by stressful life events, school pressure, or friends.

Strengths
Mary is a brilliant 22-year-old with previous above-average grades and an up-and-coming career in gymnastics. Mary has an encouraging close-knit family that is supportive of her. Marys has shown signs of flexibility when in school; she appears to be very focused; Mary has a bright future ahead of her. Mary has a strong desire to go to the Olympics someday.

Recommendations

Mary 22year-old battling Opioid and Heroin Addiction Mary is now in desperate straits. She uses heroin two to three times per day, alone, both for pleasure and to stave off withdrawal
There are many essential roles for social workers to fill in the identification and treatment of prescription drug addiction and other substance-related dis s. Social workers who work with youth can expect to see an increasing number of adolescents with prescription drug addictions. Social workers will be called upon to screen and assess adolescents for substance abuse and provide generalist social work services, including education, brokering advocacy, and case management. Social workers are beginning to play a more significant role as researchers on various aspects of alcohol and other drug treatments and as players in the federal and state policies and grants arenas. The relatively new Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Section of the National Association of Social Workers can provide an important leadership role for the thousands of social workers in this field.