The many faces of cocaine: the importance of psychosocial assessment in diagnosing and treating cocaine abuse.
Cocaine abuse is a major social health problem in the United States. However, much too frequently, cocaine abuse is overlooked by social workers, physicians, and other health team members who are busy directing their interventions at solving and treating the biological and psychosocial effects of taking cocaine, but fail to see the connection between these symptoms and cocaine use. In order to help social workers in health care settings recognize and deal effectively with cocaine-abusing patients, the author presents a three stage practice model. The first two stages focus on strengthening assessment skills via symptom identification and diagnosis confirmation, with attention to patterns and severity of illness. The third stage highlights the referring process leading to appropriate treatment resources.
Gropper
M
M
School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003042:Cocaine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003042:Cocaine