Assessment 2: Case Study

Introduction

Mary's case study illustrates complex issues that need to be addressed collectively. One of

the key challenges evident in the case is drug abuse. The case highlights that Mary has developed

an alcohol addiction, and she finds it difficult to go through the day without a glass of wine. She

also states that she uses marijuana when his son is in school. Additionally, her son’s recent

behavior has raised her concern. She found a half-smoked joint of marijuana in the room,

meaning that her son might be falling into addiction to marijuana use.

Various Issues in the Case

Legal Issues

An assessment of Mary's case presents legal issues. In Australia, recreational marijuana is

illegal based on the fact that it is a narcotic drug (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2019).

Therefore, if Mary is found in possession of marijuana without a medical prescription, she will

be prosecuted under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 outlines

penalties for possession and use of marijuana. The Act specifies that if a person is over 14 years

old and found with traces of cannabis with no previous convictions, the police may issue such a

person with a Cannabis Intervention Requirement (CIR). Essentially, the CIR requires a person

to complete counseling sessions. Failure to do so might result in conviction. In WA, the penalty

for drug misuse and possession varies depending on whether you are an adult or under the age of

18 years (Western Australia, 2018). Based on these findings, both Mary and his son Toby can

face different charges for marijuana use.

Concerning Mary’s alcohol addiction, there is no legal implication based on the fact that

there is no single law in WA that prosecutes parents because of their alcohol addiction.

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According to Li (2019), alcohol itself does not make a parent unfit to dispense their parenting

roles. However, most parents who abuse substances may neglect or abuse their children. It

therefore vital as a case worker, I keep in touch with child protective services in eventuality of

abuse or neglect.

Types of Drugs in the Case Study

Drugs are classified according to how they affect our bodies. Therefore, the three broad

categories of drugs are stimulants, hallucinogens, and depressants. Stimulants activate or speed

up the function of the central nervous system; Hallucinogens impact senses such as seeing,

feeling, and smelling, while depressants are meant to slow down the functioning of the central

nervous system. The two types of drugs highlighted in the case study are marijuana and alcohol.

Both alcohol and marijuana can be categorized as depressants. Cannabis on its own can be

grouped under stimulants (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2023).

Reporting Requirements

Child Protection Service agency must be notified about Mary's addiction problem and her

son’s recent incident of suspected marijuana use. From a broader perspective, studies have

revealed that parents struggling with addiction may find it difficult to take care of their children,

which leads to cases of neglect and sometimes abuse (Lander et al., 2013; Solis et al., 2012). In

the case study, even though Mary's ability to take care of Toby is not fully compromised, it is

vital to report as a precautionary measure. As the case worker, I would report the case to The WA

Child Protection Society (WACPS) in Perth. The WA Child Protection Society adopts strength-

based models to protect children from harm.

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Assessment and Referral Options

Mary and her son need assistance with their substance abuse. Key services that can be

helpful include part-time rehabilitation services for Mary's addiction and family therapy to help

both of them overcome addiction and help them cope. Mary also needs assistance to find a

permanent job since she is willing to work.

AOD Program and Rehabilitation Suitable for Mary’s Need

Alcohol and cannabis use remains a pervasive issue in Australia. According to the

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) report, in the period 2021-2022, the most

sought-after treatment services for people struggling with addiction were for those people with

alcohol addiction (42%) and Cannabis (19%). The most common treatment method implemented

by practitioners is counseling, accounting for 36%. Other treatment services include assessment

and case management.

Australia has developed and implemented various alcohol and other drug (AOD)

treatment programs and services. Depending on the level of addiction, treatment programs can be

implemented to prevent, offer early intervention, reduce harm, and completely remedy addiction.

Midford et al., (2014) explains that early intervention programs for AOD aim at halting the cycle

of addiction by identifying the cause of addiction. Harm reduction programs focus on reducing

the impact of addiction, while treatment programs are usually evidence-based treatment

strategies that remedy addiction; such methods include counseling and rehabilitation.

There are multiple agencies in Australia that Mary can benefit from. For instance, the

Salvation Army runs the Highgate AOD agency, which offers sobering up, withdrawal, and Non-

residential services. Sobering services help individuals recover from the immediate effects of

alcohol and other drugs by providing a safe place where people struggling with addiction can

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recover. Withdrawal services provide a place where people with addiction can stay for 14 days to

deal with withdrawal. On the other hand, the non-residential services are diverse and include

family therapy, counseling, referrals, and outreach support (The Salvation Army Australia, 2019).

An analysis of Mary’s case shows that even though Mary is struggling with addiction, she

has managed to take care of Toby for 15 years. This means that they have developed a close

bond. An appropriate treatment program should consider the needs of both Mary and Toby. As

her case worker, I recommend that she enroll in a part-term rehabilitation program for her

addiction. Ideally, this program is flexible because she can receive treatment. At the same time,

she is actively involved in her son’s life, unlike the residential or outpatient programs, which

require that patients with addiction problems be admitted for treatment (McCarty et al., 2014).

Moreover, the feasibility of this type of program is particularly based on the fact that with

the program, Mary can have a chance to find permanent employment. Additionally, this program

is a cheaper option that when compared to residential rehabilitation. Mary can get outpatient or

part-time rehabilitation services from Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services agency. The agency

in WA offers diverse services such as assessment and referral, alcohol pharmacotherapy

treatment, clinical psychology, and support to families (Western Australia Mental Health

Commission, n.d.).

I also recommend that Mary and his son attend Family therapy. The addiction challenges

the family is facing can be addressed simultaneously using family therapy. Essentially, family

therapy borrows its treatment strategies from the family systems theory. The family systems

theory highlights great interconnectedness in a family such that when one family member is

affected by certain factors or behavior, other members feel the impact or may follow suit

(Johnson & Ray, 2016).

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 Each member of the family may also be affected differently by addiction problems. For

instance, children may feel that they are the cause of their parent’s addiction. As a result, they

will feel guilty and depressed, and, in some cases, they may live with the fear of being

abandoned by their family. Such children may resort to drug use or get involved in crime because

of stress.

In the case study, the occurrence where Mary found a half-smoked joint in Toby's room

could mean that he might have observed and learned marijuana use from her mother. Therefore,

there is a need for both individuals to undergo counseling on their drug use behavior. With family

therapy, Mary will learn ways of coping as a single mother, and it will also improve the ways she

communicates and solves problems with her son.

Varghese et al. (2020) point out that family therapy addresses complex issues by helping

family members develop problem-solving and coping skills, improving family interactions, and

fostering communication skills. Manwarren (2023) reveals that family therapy can be applied

using different approaches when treating addressing addiction. It may involve the whole family

meeting with the therapist or persons struggling with addiction within the family meeting the

therapist individually. The identified referral for this family therapy is Clear Health Psychology

Agency, located in Perth.

Critical Reflection

As Mary’s Caseworker, my main goal was to assist her in finding support services for her

circumstances. Looking back, there are many there are many positives to reflect on. One of the

things that went well was Mary’s willingness to cooperate throughout my interaction with her.

She showed the zeal to change and become a better person. The approach I took when dealing

with Mary's situation was positive. First, I cultivated mutual trust, which led to open

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communication. I also disclosed the limitations of our interactions, citing aspects of informed

consent, privacy, and confidentiality.

From my assessment, I deemed it necessary that I notify the child protection agency as

outlined by the Western Australia mandatory reporting guide. Therefore, I reported to the WA

Child Protection Society (WACPS). I took this drastic measure as a precautionary step to

mitigate unforeseen events of possible abuse or neglect of Toby.

I also had a chance to discuss Mary’s background and identify the root cause of her

addiction. As a single mother, I appreciated her effort of raising her son for 15 years without a

stable source of income. At the same time, I acknowledged that such struggles might have

stressed her, leading to her addiction challenges.

Nevertheless, by analyzing the complex problems that Mary and her son were facing, we

were able to identify the right course of action that would help them. My decision to admit her to

a part-time AOD rehabilitation center was based on the fact that her addiction was still mild and

could be easily treated. Secondly, I considered his son's well-being and did not vouch for a

program that would separate them. Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services agency was ideal

because of its wide range of services.

The decision to recommend both Mary and Toby to Family therapy was motivated by the

need to ensure a collective approach in dealing with their substance abuse problems. As a

counseling approach, family therapy would help them strengthen their bonds, understand each

other more, develop problem-solving skills, and ensure that they communicate effectively.

Therefore, I referred them to Clear Health Psychology agency which is renowned for having

experienced psychologists specializing in family therapy.

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 Looking back, I realize that using an integrated service delivery approach was vital in

Mary’s case. I was able to involve various practitioners from counseling agency, child protection

agency, and rehabilitation programs to help manage her case. Searby et al. (2022) acknowledges

that integrated service delivery is efficient since it helps address multiple faced by clients

simultaneously.

Conclusively, from my interactions with Mary, she showed the desire to change her

situation and ensure her son's well-being. The strategies I employed and the referral services I

identified will help her accordingly.

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 References

Australia Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, June 21). Alcohol and other drug treatment

services in Australia annual report, About. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol-other-drug-treatment-services/alcohol-other-

drug-treatment-services-australia/contents/about

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2019, April 2). Drug laws in Australia. Australian

Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

https://www.health.gov.au/topics/drugs/about-drugs/drug-laws-in-australia

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2023, February 15). Types of drugs. Australian

Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/our-

work/drug-help/drug-information/types-of-drugs

Johnson, B., & Ray, W. (2016, March). Family Systems Theory. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314932341_Family_Systems_Theory

Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families

and children: From theory to practice. Social Work in Public Health, 28(3-4), 194–205.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.759005

Li, A. (2019, July 7). Alcohol and family law – practical and legal implications. Canberra

Family Lawyer. https://www.familylawincanberra.com.au/alcohol-and-family-law-

practical-and-legal-implications/

Manwarren , W. (2023). Family Therapy for Substance Use Disorders & Addiction Recovery.

American Addiction Centers.

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment/family-therapy

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 McCarty, D., Braude, L., Lyman, D. R., Dougherty, R. H., Daniels, A. S., Ghose, S. S., &

Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. (2014). Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs:

Assessing the Evidence. Psychiatric Services, 65(6), 718–726.

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300249

Midford, R., Mitchell, J., Lester, L., Cahill, H., Foxcroft, D., Ramsden, R., Venning, L., & Pose,

M. (2014). Preventing alcohol harm: Early results from a cluster randomised, controlled

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International Journal of Drug Policy, 25(1), 142–150.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.05.012

Searby, A., Burr, D., James, R., & Maude, P. (2022). Service integration: The perspective of

Australian alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurses. International Journal of Mental Health

Nursing, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12998

Solis, J. M., Shadur, J. M., Burns, A. R., & Hussong, A. M. (2012). Understanding the diverse

needs of children whose parents abuse substances. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 5(2),

135–147. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676900/

The Salvation Army Australia. (2019). Western Australia AOD Services | The Salvation Army

Australia. Www.salvationarmy.org.au.

https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/alcohol-and-other-drug-services/wa/

Varghese, M., Kirpekar, V., & Loganathan, S. (2020). Family Interventions: Basic Principles and

Techniques. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(2), 192–200.

https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_770_19

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Western Australia. (2018). Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.

https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/RedirectURL?

OpenAgent&query=mrdoc_41248.pdf

Western Australia Mental Health Commission. (n.d.). Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services.

Mental Health Commission - Western Australia.

https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/about-us/our-services/next-step-drug-and-alcohol-services/

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