Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5059

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5059

QUESTION: In group therapy, a client who has used I.V. heroin every day for the past 14 years says, "I don't have a drug problem. I can quit whenever I want. I've done it before." Which defense mechanism is the client using?

✓

O a.) Denial

✘

O b.) Obsession

✘

O c.) Compensation

✘

O d.) Rationalization

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: A client who states that he or she doesn't have a drug problem and can quit using drugs at any time <font face="LWWSYM">:</font> despite evidence to the contrary <font face="LWWSYM">:</font> is denying the drug addiction. Obsession isn't a defense mechanism. In compensation, the client emphasizes positive attributes to compensate for negative ones. In rationalization, the client justifies behaviors by faulty logic.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Assessment
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Knowledge