Order Description
Respond to both of these cases described below:

I- Rebecca is a 27 year old, white unmarried woman, who has a son who is 5 years old who lives with her mother. Throughout most of her adolescence, she used some form of chemicals- alcohol,
marijuana and cocaine. After the birth of her son, the uncle turned her onto heroin, which she immediately identified as her drug of choice. She works as a hairdresser and is partly supported by
her affluent mother. Her biological father left the family when she three and had only brief contact with him when she was 16 years old, which did not last. She does not particularly like her
stepfather. Her mother will be the one paying for the treatment. Her mother shares with you “I am afraid that my daughter will overdose and die if I don’t get her help.”
Rebecca has spent time in several rehab centers and one year before this session, she lived in a halfway house for 9 months. She realizes that she is addicted but does not relate to AA. She had
been kicked out of two treatment programs for becoming involved with male patients while in treatment.

She states that she would like to get her son back. She is not able to articulate any other tangible goals. She is thinking about moving to Florida on day id she can save enough money.

During the first session, you make a connection with her and Rebecca admits that she is currently using heroin again.
1) What would you do first?
2) What do you know based on your readings about the special needs of women?
3) What does it mean to you that she has been using some form of chemical since adolescence?
4) What family dynamics might need to be addressed? (ENABLING, SECONDARY GAIN, CODEPENDENCY)
5) What would you want to include to complete the assessment?
6) What would your contract need to include in order to work with her?
7) Are you fearful that she might overdose and die?
8) Do you share your concerns with her?
9) What kinds of psych-education might you offer?

II- David is a 16 year old African-American young man who is referred to the clinic that you work in by his high school for missing school and for having pot in his locker. His single mother is
overwhelmed by “his attitude and his hanging out with all the wrong kids.” She is employed at two jobs and is active with the Baptist Church. David has four siblings from different fathers. David
is aware that his father is incarcerated for having dealt drugs and he cannot remember any contact with him.

David has no criminal record but is considered “high risk” due to his most recent acting out behaviors at the school and in the town. He has been in a crowd of young people that have been found
guilty of vandalism, petty larceny, driving while intoxicated, and was involved directly in one fight.
1) What information do you as the social worker need to elicit from the “client system” to determine whether he has an addiction problem?
2) What effect does his behavior have on his family?
3) What family issues may need to be addressed in order to assist him treatment?
4) What particular considerations need to be made when working with African-American families and with the adolescent population?