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Addiction and Mental health Care

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Author Addiction and Mental health Care

pedelle@bigpond.com.au

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  • Joined: Sep 2005
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Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:07 pm

I run an addiction unit at one of the private hospitals in victorian. I was wondering if any of you experience people out there could give me some information about:

1. different types of programs which fit with persons who have either an alchol or drug addiction with an underlying mental health problem.

2.My hospital is one of many throughout australia and is attached to the mental health stream throughout the organisation. How is staffing calculated for your unit. Is it on a ratio basis ie: 1 to 15 or is it calculated on individual patient need requirement? Certainly the patients that are admitted to us are physically well able to look after themselves however some life skill training is required.

3.What type of counselling is given to your patients, is it given by a qualified psychiatrist, nurse counsellor, in the forum of a group and individual.

4. What type of group counselling is carried out? on what philosophy is it based and is there any available scientific reseach to state that it works?

I know this seems to be full of lots of questions however we are in the midst of a program review. The current program does "the group process" incorporating the power of the group,it is facilitated by a counsellor but it appears to be a 'little' bit punitive and confrontational. I cannot find any research to state that this method of therapy is of any benefit to patients and i am concerned that it may be almost a "bully and harassment approach which may do more damage than benefit. What do any of you out there think.

pedelle

Senior RN

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  • Joined: Dec 2008
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Dec 30, 2008, 11:18 am

You're going to hate me for this, but PEDELLE, you actually sound like 'a patient' to me, who is looking for answers for their own behaviours.....

That's probably why you never got a 'timely' response a few years ago, when you first posted.

Are you still 'with us'.....

Mandy

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  • Joined: Jul 2009
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Jul 29, 2009, 08:28 pm

Pedelle i have to say if YOU actually ran an addiction unit as you claim to be doing you would have no need to ask questions in a general forum whether or not treatments are used for bully and harassment purposes as you would already know that treatment given in addiction centres are not for the purpose to bully and harass rather they are used to help and treat.
I suggest for future reference if you would like responses from users of this site that you remain honest.

Good Luck
Mandy

Mirabell

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Mirabell
  • Joined: Jun 2009
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Aug 04, 2009, 08:47 pm Last edited Aug 04, 2009, 08:47 pm update #1

Guys, don't pass judgement on other people - people are able to make their own decisions about what they read. This website is for people to ask questions and discuss areas related to those questions - this should be done in a non judgemental environment, not in a manner that judges people on who you think they are etc etc.

modified: Tuesday 04 August 2009 9:02:57 pm - Mirabell

Massimo

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  • Joined: Jul 2009
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Aug 11, 2009, 06:00 pm Last edited Aug 11, 2009, 06:00 pm update #1

Hi Pedelle,

I hope this is not too late but here goes - I did studies in Counselling and Communication in Psychotheraphy with the Australian College of Applied Psychology (check www.acap.edu.au). I recall doing a module specifically dedicated to Counselling in Addiction (Alcohol and Substances). Its an interesting module that discusses the why's, how's and methods and approaches to addiction.

Let me know if you need more information on the above, otherwise feel free to check the link I've provided. ACAP have set up in VIC too recently but it doesn't matter as the studies are very flexible (either on campus, online or distant).

Unfortunately, I cannot provide any information regarding issues with staffing - no experience in that area mate.

Regards - M

OK I came back to edit this post - I realized you started this thread almost two years ago! LOL but oh well, for what its worth.

modified: Tuesday 11 August 2009 6:03:21 pm - Massimo

Oswald

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  • Joined: Jul 2009
  • Location: UK
  • Posts: 7

Aug 23, 2009, 09:27 pm Last edited Aug 23, 2009, 09:27 pm update #2

Hi Friend's

To Be honest,

It will take a little time to find the answer for the question of yours.have a look at the resource here

http://ultra-health.org

modified: Sunday 23 August 2009 9:29:29 pm - Oswald

Senior RN

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  • Joined: Dec 2008
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Dec 04, 2009, 11:19 am

I thought I'd come back with this response, a year later....

In any ADDICTION, the way out, is to reduce exposure to what ever the addiction is to.

The trick is, how to maintain that abstinence.

Some examples....

The chronic gambler: Don't go into Pubs & Clubs, where there are Poker Machines. Don't carry a credit card with you, when you go out. Of course, don't carry sums of cash with you - but by this stage, you probably don't have any cash available. Never think, you can control or limit yourself to only spending X amount of gambling - you will always spend your last cent, or max out your credit card.

The alcoholic: Don't put yourself in a position, where you will be tempted. Ie., stay out of Pubs & Clubs. Don't accept that first drink from ' friends ' - you will always accept another, then another. Don't buy take home drinks, as drinking unsupervised, you have no control over drinking every last drop. Get into a new habit of only drinking your new favourite drink - something Lemon Lime & Bitters, Tonic & Lemon - it sounds fancy, and people around you won't think you are trying to avoid alcoholic drinks. Something that sounds like the ' thinking man's drink '.

Street drugs: Hardest of them all, as too many factors involved. Very individualised. Usually, a degree of Mental Illness present. Depends on whether using Uppers, Downers, or Round and Rounders !!

Basically, keep away from your past ' pick up ' points. Includes steer clear of the ' bad dudes ' you used to hang around with. You need a complete change of lifestyle. Start with a job !! Time on your hands is the greatest precuser to being an addict. If you have something to occupy your mind with, you will not be always thinking of where to score from.

In summary, it's a combination of too much free time; being in the wrong places, and maintaining relationships with known users and being open to their suggestions. You MUST change your previous patterns and habits, otherwise, nothing will change, and you'll never get out of your addictions to whatever.

In Group Work, the focus is on TIME. How you spend your time, will determine your motivation for success. The theme is, that one needs to have something to do 16 hours a day. ( the other 8 is sleeping )

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