Final Project Substance Abuse

Hispanics and Drug Abuse: Juanita's Case Study

Jessica Foster

January 7, 2014

Kaplan University

Juanita is a Mexican American in her mid-40's (Stevens & Smith, 2013). She is currently married to Jose and have two children, Karen and Sarita (Stevens & Smith, 2013). Sarita is fourteen from her first marriage and Karen is Jose's child (Stevens & Smith, 2013). They have come to therapy because Sarita and Jose do not get along and fight all of the time (Stevens & Smith, 2013). At some point it is discovered that both Jose and Juanita drink alcohol and use other substances (Stevens & Smith, 2013). It is certain that Juanita uses cocaine that she gets from patrons at the local bar where she works at (Stevens & Smith, 2013). There are definitely issues that need to be worked on. In order for the fighting to stop the substance abuse must be addressed first (Stevens & Smith, 2013). Juanita and her family have come for therapy but the focus will be on Juanita.

The Diagnostic Interview is the beginning of the process and one of the most important parts. (Stevens & Smith, 2013). Before Juanita gets into the details of her life, she gives me permission to talk to her family, friends, and co-workers (Stevens & Smith, 2013). First, Juanita discusses where she is at in life and how unsatisfied she is in life. She then gives me information about her life history. She has a history of sexual abuse by her brother, physical abuse by her father, and her ex-husband was abusive (Stevens & Smith, 2013). During the interview Juanita will be given a Substance Use History Questionnaire (Stevens & Smith, 2013). This questionnaire will determine what assessments or screenings Juanita will need (Stevens & Smith, 2013). After she finished the questionnaire, it is determined that the further assessments and screenings needed are the CAGE questionnaire, MCM-II, and the Addiction Severity Index (Stevens & Smith, 2013).

The CAGE...