Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5021

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5021

QUESTION: A client with a history of substance abuse has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly in the psychiatric unit. One afternoon, the client tells the nurse, "I'm not going to those meetings anymore. I'm not like the rest of those people. I'm not a drunk. "What is the most appropriate response?

✘O a.) "If you aren't an alcoholic, why do you keep drinking and ending up in the hospital?"
✘O b.) "It's your decision. If you don't want to go, you don't have to."
✓O c.) "You seem upset about the meetings."
✘O d.) "You have to go to the meetings. It's part of your treatment plan."

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: The substance abuser uses the substance to cope with feelings and may deny the abuse. Asking if the client is upset about the meetings encourages the client to identify and deal with feelings instead of covering them up. Arguing with the client about the substance abuse (option 1) or insisting that the client attend the meetings (option 4) wouldn't help the client identify resistance to treatment. Option 2 isn't therapeutic behavior because it plays down the importance of attending meetings.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Comprehension