A court system refers a person who was found to be over the legal limit for drinking to Alcoholics Anonymous.

A doctor who has a patient exhibiting symptoms of methamphetamine addiction refers the patient to an addictions counselor.

A probation officer working with an individual who has a history of illegal gambling refers to the individual to an addictions professional specializing in gambling.

Referral is a central aspect of the addictions profession. Addictions professionals often both accept referrals and administer them. Few individuals truly begin therapy as a "blank slate." Addictions professionals need to know how to integrate referral information into the interview to maximize interview time and to tailor the questions to the individual's unique history and background of behaviors. Like any profession, the addictions profession uses certain terminology in assessments settings to describe observable behaviors, which also aids the integration of referral information for desired results.

In this Assignment, you review a case study that includes the type of information typical in a referral situation. You apply professional terminology to summarize client status and create interview questions.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources, including the following references: Which are required for this assignment. You may use additional resources/references.

The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment

Chapter 5, "Assessment of the Patient"

Perkinson, R. R. (2012). Chemical dependency counseling: A practical guide (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Chapter 4, "The Biopsychosocial Interview"

Appendix 6, "Sample Biopsychosocial Interview"

Focus on the case study of Jane Roberts (See below)

Assignment Directions:

Based on the review of the Jane Roberts case study, in 1-3 paragraphs use professional terminology to describe the mental, physical, and behavioral characteristics of the client.

Create 10 interview questions integrating the referral information from the case study provided. Provide your rationale for your choice of questions

Jane Roberts case summary

Jane is single and a beautician. Father died when she was young. She was raised by an emotionally distant alcoholic mother. She felt abandoned all her life which led to her drinking starting in her teenage years. She strived for affection and attention from other men which led to addiction to sex. Was confused between sex and love. She has men who were abusive, which led to her not having assertive skills to the point where she had trouble for asking what she wanted and problems expressing how she feels. Her alcohol started increasing, which led to her take valium to sleep. Therefore, addiction to valium increased to double the dosage. She has no social system except for her boyfriend of 2 months. The psychological testing showed she is emotionally unstable and manipulative. She breaks the rules of society to get her own way. She is suffering from mild depressive symptoms, along with daily anxiety.

Jane Roberts problems are as follows:

1. Extended withdrawal from alcohol and valium, as evidence by autonomic arousal and elevated vital signs.

2. Inability to maintain sobriety outside a structured program of recovery, as evidenced by client having tried to quit using chemicals many times unsuccessfully.

3. Anemia, as evidenced by chronic history of low red blood cell counts.

4. Upper respiratory infection, as evidenced by sore throat and rhinitis.

5. Fear of rejection and abandonment, as evidenced by client feeling abandoned by both her mother and her father now clinging to relationships even when abusive.

6. Poor relationship skills, as evidenced by client not sharing the truth about how she feels or asking for what she wants, leaving her unable to establish and maintain intimate relationships.

7. Dishonesty, as evidenced by client chronically lying about her chemical use history.

8. Poor assertiveness skills, as evidenced by client allowing other people to make important decisions for her, inhibiting her from developing a self-directed program of recovery.

Reference: Perkinson, R. R. (2012). Chemical dependency counseling: A practical guide (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.