Uop Bshs 305 Client Paper

Human Services Week 3 Client Paper

Kim Athans

BSHS/305

4/8/13

Dr. R. Clegg

Human Services Client Paper

There are numerous issues facing human services clients in society today. Some of these issues include homelessness, decreased funding for services, and stigmatization associated with receiving services. In addition to issues of homelessness and lack of funding, many clients’ receiving human services may also suffer from substance abuse or dependence that can cause the client to not access appropriate services as needed.

Substance abuse is a major problem in our society today. These individuals can receive services from a broad range of providers such as health care, mental health and substance abuse providers, individually or a combination of all of them combined (Samet, Friedmann, & Saitz, 2001). Some of the issues clients will face in accessing the necessary services are lack of insurance, limited funding in their area or the inability for providers to make the appropriate referrals. For example, a man with a history of Heroin addiction who has been incarcerated, has tested positive for HIV, and will be discharged from prison with a lack of family and social support with no housing. This client will need to attend some type of aftercare program for his addiction issues such as an outpatient program dealing with substance abuse, require medical treatment (Tx) for his physical health, and will need assistance with basic needs such as food, water and shelter as stated in “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” (Woodside, 2011).

Studies show that two thirds of homeless adults meet the criteria for substance dependency and another 20 percent meet the criteria for being severely mentally ill. A large number of those people also are considered to be dually diagnosed and suffering from both substance use disorders as well as mental illness. (Krogel et. al, 1999).

These clients can suffer from a wide variety of other issues such as physical...