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Co-Existing Disorders

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This should be a film focused on dual diagnosis. Please feel free to choose any movie you think will meet the criteria. Some suggestions are:
• Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?
• The Days of Wine and Roses.
• Leaving Las Vegas.
• Running with Scissors.
Share what you perceive to be the dual diagnosis (co-occurring disorders) of the protagonist in the film. What was the presenting problem in the movie? Was it addressed by any form of treatment? If you met a client like the one in the film, how would you proceed?

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Solution Summary

This solution of 2,880 words discusses co-existing disorders and dual diagnosis in the movie '28 days'. References used are included.

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Thank you for choosing Brain Mass and for choosing me as your expert. While I cannot write the paper, I can help write an essay synopsis and proposal for you that meets your criteria request as outlined. This is attached. Please let me know if there are any questions.

In the movie 28 days Gwen Cummings is ordered to rehab for 28 days after an incident that involved her using substances and wrecking a car into a building (Thomas & Grant, 2000). The movie gives a great idea of the stages of change model. There are many examples within the movie of each stage, but first these stages are quickly summarized. CSAT & SAMSHA (2005) mention the precontemplation stage as one not feeling they have a problem and the contemplation stage as one becoming more aware of a problem. The preparation stage has one realize they can change and the action stage shows the substitution of healthy behaviors. Lastly, the maintenance stage has one turn a choice into a lifestyle of healthy, addiction free, choices (CSAT & SAMSHA, 2005). A starting example of such is the precontemplation stage. In the movie, the main character known as Gwen has no intention of changing her drinking behaviors.
A basic assessment of the client would be to find out the onset of the dependency, which is (are) the primary drug(s) of choice, and any family history of substance abuse issues. Gwen describes to have flashbacks of how her mother was an alcoholic. Each instance that she would notice something in treatment, she would reflect back on her life and experiences with coping with her mother's drug abuse. According to the DSM-TR IV, clients who are diagnosed with Posttraumatic stress disorder often suffer from anxiety after being exposed to a traumatic event (Behavenet, 2014). Gwen seems to suffer from re-experiencing those moments when her mother was intoxicated and her many risky adventures. In most flashbacks her mother is "a ball of fun," where she starts to partake in unsafe activities with her daughters or she passes out.
Diagnosis
Gwen presents with a co-existing disorder, which includes her opioid or Vicodin dependence and alcohol dependency. Gwen presents her dependency to close friends and family with no concerns or cares. She did not try and hide her actions while she attended her sister's wedding. This was very disenchanting and disturbing. She was not trying to receive any help prior to her twenty-eight day sentencing of rehabilitation or jail time. It was quite evident from pre and post screening observations and Gwen's increasingly risky, dangerous and illegal behaviors that a behavioral and substance related assessment would be needed to help Gwen recognize the extent and depth of her behaviors. Moreover, that she needed assistance to help with her co-occurring disorders.
To help gauge the amount and type of treatment for Gwen, using the ASI will aid the counselor. In addition to the ASI, the counselor can use a mental status exam to further compile information on Gwen's mental health. As mentioned by clinicians, there is no set assessment tool that should be used on clients with CODs. The assessment used to learn and understand which disorders are presented and determine which treatment is best for the client (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005).
For instance, to elaborate, the movie depicts how she drinks to a point of intoxication in which it affects her daily life. One morning after waking up from a night of partying, she realizes that she is late for her sister's wedding. Instead of trying to sober up, she goes to the fridge and drinks a beer as she gets ready. On the way to the wedding she continues to drink. Once she arrives at the ceremony, she appears to be under the influence and ruins the reception by falling on the cake. Since she ruined the cake, she decided to drive and look for another one. Gwen was completely intoxicated, and lost control of the limousine which resulted in a car accident. She crashed into a house. After these events she continued to deny that she had a problem. Gwen was placed in rehab and she refused to participate in any activities. During this stage, is also when Gwen relapses when she leaves the rehabilitation facility with her boyfriend and returns later extremely intoxicated.
We begin to see her transition into the contemplation phase once she begins to have withdrawals. Gwen begins to experience withdrawal symptoms of vomiting and tremors and this is when Gwen begins to see that something is really ...

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