Carlos is a 25 year old male who works as a bartender in a major hotel. He works from 4 pm to 12 am 4 days a week. Due to the nature of his work, he usually engages with a lot of customers, and he is allowed to “have a few drinks at work.” He feels that his alcohol consumption is “probably getting out of control.” In his days off, he likes to have a few drinks during the day. He notices that if he stops drinking for a day, his hands start “shaking” and it goes away when he has a drink. He does not want to get hooked on alcohol, so he came to the clinic for help to quit. He is willing to try anything to get clean and sober.
5. Include a member(s) of the healthcare team in the scenario with specific duties
6. Create a teaching plan and a comprehensive treatment plan for this patient
Members of the healthcare team and their specific duties:
Physician: Conducts a thorough medical evaluation and prescribes medication if necessary. Refers the patient to other specialists as needed.
Psychiatrist: Assesses the patient for any co-occurring mental health conditions and provides treatment as needed.
Nurse: Monitors the patient’s vital signs, administers medication as prescribed, and provides education on managing withdrawal symptoms and maintaining sobriety.
Addiction Counselor: Provides individual and group counseling to address the patient’s addiction and related issues.
Social Worker: Assesses the patient’s social situation and provides resources and referrals for housing, employment, and other needs.
Teaching plan and comprehensive treatment plan:
Teaching plan:
Education on the effects of alcohol on the body, including the risks of long-term use and withdrawal symptoms.
Strategies for managing cravings and triggers, such as avoiding situations where alcohol is present and developing healthy coping skills.
Techniques for stress management, such as meditation, exercise, and deep breathing.
Communication skills to improve relationships with family and friends.
The importance of attending support group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), for ongoing support and accountability.
Strategies for relapse prevention and developing a support network.
Comprehensive treatment plan:
Medical evaluation: A physician will conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess the patient’s overall health and any potential medical issues related to alcohol use. Medication may be prescribed to manage withdrawal symptoms or treat any underlying medical conditions.
Detoxification: If necessary, the patient will undergo a medically supervised detoxification process to safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
Individual counseling: The patient will receive individual counseling from an addiction counselor to address the underlying issues related to their addiction and develop coping strategies for managing cravings and triggers.
Group counseling: The patient will attend group counseling sessions, such as AA or other support groups, to receive ongoing support and connect with others in recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment: The patient may receive medication-assisted treatment, such as naltrexone or acamprosate, to help manage cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.
Aftercare planning: The patient will work with the healthcare team to develop an aftercare plan, which may include ongoing counseling, support group attendance, and referral to community resources such as vocational training or housing assistance.
