MADRAS SCHOOL OF SOCIAL

WORK
CASE STUDY REPORT

BY
P.PREETHIKA
BSC-15-26
3RD BSC PSYCHOLOGY
CASE STUDY-2
PREAMBLE

\
Adulthood has no signpost to announce its onset (as adolescence is

announced by puberty). In technologically advanced nations, the life span

is more than 70 years. Developmental psychologists usually consider

early adulthood to cover approximately age 20 to age 40 and middle

adulthood approximately 40 to 65.

Early adulthood. Inearly adulthood, an individual is concerned with

developing the ability to share intimacy, seeking to form relationships

and find intimate love. Long‐term relationships are formed, and often

marriage and children result. The young adult is also faced with career

decisions.

Choices concerning marriage and family are often made during this

period. Research shows that divorce is more likely among people who

marry during adolescence, those whose parents were divorced, and those

who are dissimilar in age, intelligence, personality, or attractiveness.

Separation is also more frequent among those who do not have children.

Most people who have divorced remarry; consequently, children may

experience more than one set of parents.

Such alternatives to marriage as “living together” (cohabitation) have

become more common. In 1997, the Census Bureau estimated that 4.13

million unwed couples lived in the United States.

Work/career choice affects not only socioeconomic status but also

friends, political values, residence location, child care, job stress,

and many other aspects of life. And while income is important in

both career selection and career longevity, so are achievement,

recognition, satisfaction, security, and challenge. In the modern

cultures of many nations, the careers of both spouses or partners

frequently must be considered in making job choices.

Middle adulthood. In middle adulthood, an important challenge

is to develop a genuine concern for the welfare of future

generations and to contribute to the world through family and

work. Erik Erikson refers to the problem posed at this stage

as generativity vs. self‐absorption.

Robert Havighurst lists seven major tasks in the middle years.

accepting and adjusting to physiological changes, such as

menopause

reaching and maintaining satisfaction in one's occupation

adjusting to and possibly caring for aging parents

helping teenage children to become responsible adults

achieving adult social and civic responsibility

relating to one's spouse as a person

developing leisure‐time activities

While a midlife crisis is not regarded as a universal phenomenon,

during one's 40s and 50s comes the recognition that more than half

of one's life is gone. That recognition may prompt some to feel that

the clock is ticking and that they must make sudden, drastic

changes in order to achieve their goals, while others focus on

finding satisfaction with the present course of their lives.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,

including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence
syndrome - a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that
develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take
the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful
consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and
obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state.

Policies which influence the levels and patterns of substance use and related harm can
significantly reduce the public health problems attributable to substance use, and
interventions at the health care system level can work towards the restoration of
health in affected individuals.

Marijuana is usually rolled up in a cigarette called a joint or a nail. It can also be

brewed as a tea or mixed with food, or smoked through a water pipe called a bong.

Cannabis is number three of the top five substances which account for admissions to
drug treatment facilities in the United States, at 16%. According to a National
Household Survey on Drug Abuse, kids who frequently use marijuana are almost four
times more likely to act violently or damage property. They are five times more likely
to steal than those who do not use the drug.

Marijuana is often more potent today than it used to be. Growing techniques and
selective use of seeds have produced a more powerful drug. As a result, there has
been a sharp increase in the number of marijuana-related emergency room visits by
young pot smokers.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS:

Loss of coordination and distortions in the sense of time, vision and hearing,
sleepiness, reddening of the eyes, increased appetite and relaxed muscles. Heart rate
can speed up. In fact, in the first hour of smoking marijuana, a user’s risk of a heart
attack could increase fivefold. School performance is reduced through impaired
memory and lessened ability to solve problems.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS:

Long-term use can cause psychotic symptoms. It can also damage the lungs and the
heart, worsen the symptoms of bronchitis and cause coughing and wheezing. It may
reduce the body’s ability to fight lung infections and illness.

CANNABIS ABUSE

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, and trends show
increasing use in the general population. As cannabis consumption rises, there has
been significant emerging evidence for cannabis-related risks to health.1

Numerous lines of evidence suggest a correlation between cannabis consumption and

a variety of psychiatric conditions, including cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP).
While it can be difficult to differentiate CIP from other psychoses, CIP holds
distinguishing characteristics, which may aid in its diagnosis. Given the increasing
push toward cannabis legalization, assessing CIP and employing timely treatments is
critical.

Specifically in youth, there is a direct relationship between cannabis use and its risks.
The lack of knowledge surrounding its detrimental effects, combined with
misunderstandings related to its therapeutic effects, has potential for catastrophic
results.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Some of the most noticeable symptoms of drug abuse are those that affect the body’s
inner workings. For example, your body’s tolerance to a drug occurs when a drug is
abused for long enough that increased quantities or strengths are required to achieve
the previous effects. This desire for a more intense high, achieved through these
means, is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to overdose.

Changes in appearance can be additional clues to possible drug use and may include:

 Bloodshot or glazed eyes.

 Dilated or constricted pupils.

 Abrupt weight changes.

  Bruises, infections, or other physical signs at the drug’s entrance site on the
body.

Disruption to normal brain functioning, changes in personality, and heart and organ
dysfunction can be signs of long-term drug abuse. Signs will vary based on the
substance. Click on any drug above to learn more.

BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS

Drug abuse negatively affects a person's behavior and habits as he or she becomes
more dependent on the drug. The drug itself can alter the brain's ability to focus and
form coherent thoughts, depending on the substance.

Changes in behavior, such as the following, can indicate a problem with drug abuse:

 Increased aggression or irritability.

 Changes in attitude/personality.

 Lethargy.

 Depression.

 Sudden changes in a social network.

 Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities.

 Financial problems.

 Involvement in criminal activity.

CAUSES

Cannabis dependency is often due to prolonged and increasing use of the drug.
Increasing the strength of the cannabis taken and an increasing use of more effective
methods of delivery often increase the progression of cannabis dependency. The use
of cannabis at a young age such as the teenage years, can have serious impacts on
depression and anxiety in youth and later in life.
TREATMENT

Treatment options for cannabis dependence are far fewer than for opiate or alcohol
dependence. Most treatment falls into the categories of psychological or
psychotherapeutic, intervention, pharmacological intervention or treatment through
peer support and environmental approaches. Screening and brief intervention sessions
can be given in a variety of settings, particularly at doctor's surgeries, which is of
importance as most cannabis users seeking help will do so from their general
practitioner rather than a drug treatment service agency.

Clinicians differentiate between casual users who have difficulty with drug screens,
and daily heavy users, to a chronic user who uses multiple times a day. The sedating
and anxiolytic properties of THC in some users might make the use of cannabis an
attempt to self-medicate personality or psychiatric disorder.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Psychological intervention includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational

enhancement therapy (MET), contingency management (CM), supportive-expressive
psychotherapy (SEP), family and systems interventions, and twelve-step programs.[7]

Evaluations of Marijuana Anonymous programs, modelled on the 12-step lines of

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, have shown small beneficial
effects for general drug use reduction

Treatment medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone (including

a new long-acting formulation), are available for individuals addicted to opioids,
while nicotine preparations (patches, gum, lozenges, and nasal spray) and the
medications varenicline and bupropion are available for individuals addicted
to tobacco. Disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone are medications available for
treating alcohol dependence,1 which commonly co-occurs with other drug addictions,
including addiction to prescription medications.

Treatments for prescription drug abuse tend to be similar to those for illicit drugs that
affect the same brain systems. For example, buprenorphine, used to treat heroin
addiction, can also be used to treat addiction to opioid pain medications. Addiction to
prescription stimulants, which affect the same brain systems as illicit stimulants like
cocaine, can be treated with behavioral therapies, as there are not yet medications for
treating addiction to these types of drugs.

Behavioral therapies can help motivate people to participate in drug treatment, offer
strategies for coping with drug cravings, teach ways to avoid drugs and prevent
relapse, and help individuals deal with relapse if it occurs. Behavioral therapies can
also help people improve communication, relationship, and parenting skills, as well as
family dynamics.

Many treatment programs employ both individual and group therapies. Group therapy
can provide social reinforcement and help enforce behavioral contingencies that
promote abstinence and a non-drug-using lifestyle. Some of the more established
behavioral treatments, such as contingency management and cognitive-behavioral
therapy, are also being adapted for group settings to improve efficiency and cost-
effectiveness. However, particularly in adolescents, there can also be a danger of
unintended harmful (or iatrogenic) effects of group treatment—sometimes group
members (especially groups of highly delinquent youth) can reinforce drug use and
thereby derail the purpose of the therapy. Thus, trained counselors should be aware of
and monitor for such effects.

Because they work on different aspects of addiction, combinations of behavioral

therapies and medications (when available) generally appear to be more effective than
either approach used alone.

Finally, people who are addicted to drugs often suffer from other health (e.g.,
depression, HIV), occupational, legal, familial, and social problems that should be
addressed concurrently. The best programs provide a combination of therapies and
other services to meet an individual patient’s needs. Psychoactive medications, such
as antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic
medications, may be critical for treatment success when patients have co-occurring
mental disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders (including post-traumatic stress
disorder), bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. In addition, most people with severe
addiction abuse multiple drugs and require treatment for all substances abused.
What is cannabis abuse?

Cannabis abuse is a pattern of use that causes physical or mental problems:

 The use of cannabis makes you unable to function at work, school, or

in your home. You may be absent often, or your work may be done

poorly. You may not be able to take care of your children or your

home.

 You use cannabis when it is dangerous to be under the effects of the

drug. This includes when you drive a vehicle or use machinery.

 You have problems with the police when you are under the effects of

cannabis.

 You keep using cannabis even when you argue with your family and

friends about your use.

 You need to use more cannabis to give you the high feeling or other

effects that you want. You have withdrawal symptoms after you stop

using cannabis.

What is cannabis withdrawal?

Cannabis withdrawal happens when you have used cannabis for a long

period of time, and you suddenly take less or stop taking it.

Withdrawal symptoms may start on the first day and may last up to 2

weeks. You may have more than one of the following:

• Decreased appetite and weight loss

• Night sweats and trouble sleeping

• Craving for cannabis

• Irritability

• Feeling agitated, anxious, or restless

• Depressed or negative mood

How is cannabis abuse diagnosed and treated?

Healthcare providers will ask about your cannabis use. Your urine may be

tested for cannabis. The following are common treatments for cannabis abuse:

• Brief intervention therapy is done by meeting with a healthcare

provider who will talk to and encourage you. During therapy, you will discuss

your cannabis use with the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will

help you understand that you are responsible for making changes in your life.

He will explain how you can be helped by decreasing or stopping cannabis

use, and give you treatment options.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you change your thinking

and behavior. It can help you manage depression and anxiety caused by

cannabis use. CBT can help you learn good coping skills and ways to manage

stress. CBT can be done with you and a talk therapist or in a group with

others.

• Motivational enhancement therapy is used to help you set goals to

change your behavior and stop cannabis abuse.

• Group, marriage, and family therapy can help you find support and

motivation to stop cannabis abuse. Self-help group therapy includes meeting

with others who also want to stop using cannabis. Marriage and family therapy

can help you by including others to support you in your treatment.

• A voucher program provides vouchers (rewards) for attending therapy

or not using cannabis. You may need to provide urine samples for testing. If

your urine shows no signs of cannabis use, you may get a voucher. This

program may report you to the court, or tell your family or friends if you

decide to use cannabis.

What are the risks of cannabis abuse?

• Cannabis abuse increases your risk of heart disease and blood vessel

disorders. It decreases your immune system, and increases your risk of

infections and illnesses. If you have asthma, cannabis may make it worse.

Your risk of throat and lung cancer may increase with long-term use of

cannabis.

• Cannabis may decrease your judgment, and increase your risk for

injury. Cannabis abuse may increase your risk of schizophrenia, bipolar

disorder, psychosis, depression, or anxiety. Your risk is greater if you or

someone in your family has a mental

Diagnostic Features

Cannabis Use Disorder is a condition characterized by the harmful

consequences of repeated cannabis use, a pattern of compulsive cannabis use,

and (sometimes) physiological dependence on cannabis (i.e., tolerance and/or

symptoms of withdrawal). This disorder is only diagnosed when cannabis use

becomes persistent and causes significant academic, occupational or social

impairment.
Cannabis users can develop tolerance to this drug so that it can be difficult to

detect when they are intoxicated. Signs of cannabis use include red eyes,

chronic cough, cannabis odor on clothing, yellowing of finger tips (from

smoking joints), burning of incense (to hide odor), and exaggerated craving

and impulse for specific foods.

Cannabis Intoxication causes significant psychological and social impairment.

It begins with a "high" euphoric feeling followed by inappropriate laughter

and grandiosity, sedation, lethargy, impairment in short-term memory,

difficulty carrying out complex mental processes, impaired judgment,

distorted sensory perceptions, impaired motor performance, and the sensation

that time is passing slowly. Occasionally, anxiety, depression, or social

withdrawal occurs. This intoxication has two or more of the following

developing within 2 hours of cannabis use: red eyes (conjunctival injection),

increased appetite, dry mouth, or rapid pulse.

Cannabis Withdrawal occurs after the cessation of (or reduction in) heavy and

prolonged cannabis use. This withdrawal syndrome includes three or more of

the following: irritability, anger or aggression; nervousness or anxiety;

insomnia or disturbing dreams; decreased appetite or weight loss; restlessness;

depressed mood; at least one of: abdominal pain, shakiness/tremors, sweating,

fever, chills, or headache. These withdrawal symptoms typically don't require

medical attention; however, they make quitting cannabis difficult.

Complications
About 9% of cannabis (pot) users become addicted to it. Cannabis Use

Disorder in school often causes a dramatic drop in grades, truancy, and

reduced interest in sports and other school activities. In adults, this disorder

often is associated with work impairment, unemployment, lower income,

welfare dependence, and impaired social functioning.

Higher executive functioning is impaired in Cannabis Use Disorder which

contributes to school and work impairment. This disorder also significantly

decreases motivation at school or work (i.e., an "amotivational syndrome").

There is an increased risk of accidents while driving, at sports or at work.

Since cannabis smoke contains high levels of carcinogenic compounds;

chronic cannabis users face the same cancer and respiratory illness risks as do

chronic tobacco smokers. There is strong evidence that cannabis use can

trigger the onset of Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Comorbidity

Individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder have higher rates of: Alcohol Use

Disorder (50%), Tobacco Use Disorder (53%), Antisocial Personality Disorder

(30%), Anxiety Disorder (24%), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (19%),

Paranoid Personality Disorder (18%), Bipolar I Disorder (13%), and Major

Depressive Disorder (11%). Adolescents have higher rates of Conduct

Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Course
Onset is usually during adolescence or young adulthood, but it can start in

preteens and older adults. The onset is usually gradual. Cannabis use prior to

age 15 is a strong predictor of later Cannabis

Use Disorder, other Substance Use Disorders and Conduct Disorder

Outcome

The prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder decreases with age, with rates

highest among 18- to 29-year-olds (4.4%) and lowest among individuals age

65 years and older (0.01%).

Effective Therapies

There is no FDA-approved pharmacological treatment for cannabis

dependence. There are only two pharmacological, randomized, double-blind,

placebo-controlled clinical trials which had a positive outcome (N-

acetylcysteine, gabapentin) - but neither of these clinical trials has been

replicated.

There are no randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of any

psychosocial treatment. Thus the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment for

Cannabis Use Disorder is unknown.

 Cannabis use disorder is the continued use of cannabis despite

clinically significant distress or impairment.

 Typically includes a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in

controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a

higher priority given to drug use than other activities and obligations,

increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state.

 Problems

 Occupational-Economic Problems:

 Causes significant impairment in academic or occupational functioning

 Critical, Quarrelsome (Antagonism):

 Some develop suspiciousness, social withdrawal

 Impulsive, Disorderly (Disinhibition):

 Intoxicated behavior, impaired driving

 Impulsivity, dangerous risk taking, irresponsibility

 Marital/child neglect in heavy users; legal problems

 Cognitive Impairment (Impaired Intellect):

 Cannabis intoxication causes:

 Impaired motor coordination

 Sensation of slowed time, impaired judgment

 Decreased short term memory, impaired learning, apathy (even when

not intoxicated)

 Less commonly, cannabis intoxication can cause psychosis:

 Paranoia or acute psychosis with delusions & hallucinations

 Can trigger schizophrenia in 4% of regular users

 Less commonly, cannabis intoxication can cause delirium:

 Disturbance in attention (ie, reduced ability to direct focus, sustain, and

shift attention) and awareness (reduced orientation to the environment)

 Disturbance in cognition (ie, memory deficit, disorientation, language,

visuospatial ability, or perception)

 Distressed, Easily Upset (Negative Emotion):

 Intoxication can cause anxiety and panic

 Medical:

 Intoxication causes relaxation, sleepiness, and mild euphoria (getting

high)

 Denial of addiction; respiratory illness; lung cancer

  Marijuana is often cut with hallucinogens and other, more dangerous

drugs that have more serious side effects than marijuana

1.2 ABOUT THE HOSPITAL :

Psymed Hospital, we help people. Real people with real life challenges. We help

people deal with a full spectrum of life's most difficult periods; from depression or

grief counseling to hopelessness and even crisis.

Our staff is among the most experienced and highly-skilled in the industry.

Specialists here cover a broad spectrum of counseling and are dedicated to give our

clients the support and encouragement they need to live full and happy lives.

Our staff is among the most experienced and highly-skilled in the industry.

Specialists here cover a broad spectrum of counseling and are dedicated to give our

clients the support and encouragement they need to live full and happy lives.
SERVICES

 Psychiatric Emergency care

 Pharmacotherapy
 Psychotherapy (counseling)
 Substance abuse Detoxification (Detox 7 Program)
 Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
 Old age (Geriatric) & Memory Clinic (Full Life Program)
 Headache Clinic (Migraine)
 Sleep Clinic (Sleep Well Programme )
 Behavior modification
 Psychosocial Rehabilitation
 Family therapy
 Group psychotherapy
 Group psychotherapy
 Individual psychotherapy
 Group psychot
 Marital counseling
 Sexual Therapy
 Milieu therapy
 Music therapy
 Nutritional therapy
 Occupational therapy
 Symptom relief
 Vocational rehabilitation
 Supportive therapy
 Recreation therapy
 Stress management
 Corporate Mental Health (Tranquil Life Program)
 School Mental Program (Little stars Program)
 Adolescent mental health program (Cool Buddy Program)

SPECIALIZED SERVICES
  Alcohol & Substance abuse - Detox 7
 Adolescent mental health program - Cool Buddy
 School Mental Program - Little Stars
 College Mental Health Programme - DUH CRUE / The Crue
 Corporate Mental Health - Tranquil Life
 Geriatric Mental Health - Full Life
 Woman Mental Health
 Headache & Pain Clinic
 Sex Clinic
 Sleep clinic - Sleep Well

PURPOSE OF CASE STUDY

Case study is a study of a person that happens over a period of time. It helps to

understand the patient better. It helps us understand different people who are on the

same category as them. Not only do we learn about the individual but also the

category they belong to.

The purpose behind psychologist case studies are in seek in depth information

about the human brain, behavior, or cognitive thinking. The purpose of a scientists’

case study is to experiment between theories or come up with new theories. Scientists

are able to develop a hypothesis and go into detail through their research and

experimenting when processing through the case study type of their choice.

 Individual theories focus on an individual’s development and interactions with

a subject. Elaboration with that that object is delved and described in theory.

 Organizational theories pay detail to the organization hierarchy or statuses of

an institution or the purpose of an organization.

 Social theories are more commonly used with sociologists because they focus

on the development or structure of communities, groups, or areas.

 These types of case studies have different purposes to satisfy and explain the

proper data according to each scientist. In even greater detail there are

specifics and details that make each have a special purpose.

 The purpose of an explanatory case study is to better show the data and

description of a casual investigation.

 Collective case study’s purpose is to show the detail of how a group of

individuals in a manner that shows all the data concisely.

 The purpose of a descriptive case study is to be able to compare the new

gatherings to the pre-existing theory.

 An exploratory case study is used to give more background information than

usual case studies, to better compare results, and to allow for the researchers to

dedicate more time into studying the information needed for their experiment

or case.

 Intrinsic case studies are based in the researcher’s personal interest or

curiosities. It serves the purpose of allowing a researcher to freely learn or

study what they please.

 An instrumental case study’s purpose allows for researchers to try

understanding the science behind an experiment or case.

 CASE STUDY

1. Name : DS

2. Age : 28 years

3. Gender : Male

4. Religion : Hindu
5. Address : West Mambalam

Chennai.

6. Reported Offence : Consumption Cannabis

7. Education : B.Tech in Civil and Post Graduate in Human

Resource Management.

8. Father’s Name : Sridhar

9. Mother’s Name : Thungabathra

10. Siblings : Elder Sister

11. Economic Status : Middle

12. Family Type : Nuclear Family

13. Presence of

Unhealthy habits : Consumption Cannabis

14. Employment : Currently is not working.

15. Hobbies and

 Recreation : Listens to music and hangs out to movies with his

friends in his free time. He loves to play football and instrumental music Thabla.

DIAGNOSIS :

The client was diagnosed with Cannabis induced psychosis with the following

symptoms :

 Weight loss

 Excessive sleep

 Distorted perception

 Ongoing problems with learning and problem solving

 Loss of control

 Poor coordination

 Functioning interruption

 Low self care

 Hostile behavior

OBJECTIVES OF THE CASE STUDY

 To understand the background and the present status of the client.

 To explain to the client and to make him understand the harmful effects of

consumption of cannabis.
  To motivate him to quit the friendship which make him engage with such

activities.

 To motivate him take care of himself.

 To help him understand the need to stop substance abuse.

 To help him enhance his personal life and career.

FAMILY BACKGROUND

DS is a 28 year old adult, He was born in Chennai. He comes from a nuclear family

setting. His belongs to a orthodox Hindu cultural family background. They reside in a

decent environmental apartment with good rapport with their neighborhood

surroundings.

DS father and mother are retired government employees. And he has an elder sister

who is married and settled in Bangalore.

DS’s father is a diabetes patient and is his mother. There is no sign of unhealthy habit

practices in the family (relatives ) , except for his maternal uncle who smokes and

drinks often. No other medical conditions found in his maternal and paternal family

sides.

DS’s mother is very strict compared to his father, even then he his more attached to

his mother. At hospital, both his parents mother and father are the caregivers of DS.

However, DS is more closed his mother, the caregiver reported of his substance abuse

symptoms and seeked medical support.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

DS passed out school in the year 2006. DS completed his undergraduate B.Tech Civil,

in Sastra University (Thanjavur ) in the year 2011. After a year break he did his Post

Graduate in Human Resource Management in Goa. After completion of his studies he

got placed in Reliance, one of the main branches in Gujarat.

Currently DS is not working , he is looking for a job in Chennai.

SOCIAL BACKGROUND

DS shares a decent rapport with his family and friends. Comparatively spends

more time with his childhood and his neighborhood friends. He has a jovial and funny

nature; He is friendly and likes to help others when asked for any favor.

In a family setting with relatives around, he prefers to be on his own. Doesn’t interact

much with his close relatives. DS stays with his family, he is more attached to his

mother than his father. Recently, because of his substance abuse he happen to act

violent and aggressive to his family members and to his neighbors there was lot of

disturbance in the apartment leading to unpleasant state of being with neighbors. Due

to his continuous intake of drugs and engaging in causing distress the family seeked

for medical support and admitted him in the hospital for treatment.

CASE HISTORY
The client DS was admitted in Psymed Hospital on 20th July .He was admitted under

the diagnosis of Cannabis Induced Psychosis.

On the day of admission of DS the caregiver reported about his substance abuse and

that he crossed his threshold level , the causes of intake of drugs. He also engaged

violent activities at his residence and caused unnecessary problems among the family

members and neighborhood.

The clients’s history highlights on his substance abuse for the past 4 years, he has

inculcated this habit when he was pursuing his post graduation in HR in Goa. At that

time, he stayed in hostel and had lot of friends from different places and cultural

backgrounds. Due to peer pressure he tried cannabis intake and then slowly it been

habitual and later developed into addiction. He started to consume drugs on a regular

bases, which eventually led him to lot of physical and mental illness.

When he completed his course in Goa, he moved to Gujarat for his job even then he

continued taking drugs. When DS moved back to Chennai because he lost his job due

to his lack of motivation and interest towards the job. He wasn’t able to perform

efficiently due to his regular drug abuse. After he moved in Chennai he didn’t get a

proper job, nor was he was interested DS was completely into drugs and hangs out

with his friends.

And his parents came to know about his substance abuse and his hyperactive

behavioral patterns when consumed and the following physical illness, they took him

to a couple of rehabilitation centres, the treatment and counseling given didn’t help

DS to cope up much. He however continued intaking drugs, recently there was

incident that happened in his residence which led to lot of disturbances in his

neighborhood also. DS’s behavior tends to be more violent and abnormal every time
he consumed and the recent one caused a lot of unnecessary issues. Hence the family

seeked for medical support and they admitted DS in Psymed Hospital for Treatment.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

 CAST- Cannabis Abuser Screening Test.

 Sentence Completion Test

 The Wechsler Intelligence Test

Were the psychological assessments conducted to the client DS, however the hospital

management didn’t reveal the test results.

PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED:

The Hospital however denied to reveal the results the client DS obtained by the

psychological assessments performed.

These are some of the symptoms in which DS was identified with Cannabis Induced

Psychosis :
  Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

 Sudden weight loss

 Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming

habits.

 Dilated pupils.

 Red eyes

 Dry mouth

 Decreased coordination

 A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"

 A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception.

TREATMENT PROVIDED :

DS was identified with Cannabis Induced Psychosis and he was under observation for

3 days and was given the following treatment :

 Antidepressant drugs

 Serenace tablets

 Behavioural therapy

 Long term follow-ups to avoid relapse

INTROSPECTION

REPORT
The client DS was diagnosed with Cannabis induced psychosis, which was identified

by the psychological tests and diagnoses performed by the specialists in the Hospital.

DS has no acknowledge of his own problem, he denies that there is severity which

concerns his physical health, mental health and other aspects affecting his day today

well-being. But the client is cooperative and is willing to get himself treated, but there

is no proper acknowledgement of his substance abuse habits. He believes he is under

control and there is no other problem pertaining his intake of cannabis.

He accepted to get himself treated because of his parents who were extremely worried

about his health and other concerns of his personal and career life.

He shows lack of interest in his personal and career life, its been 6 months he is

without a job and he didn’t make any effective efforts to find a proper job with his

qualification. He mostly spends time alone listening to music and he also plays his

favorite instrument Tabla. He also hangouts with his friends to movies and malls in

his free time.

The client is identified with prominent symptoms of cannabis intake, loss of appetite,

weight loss, poor self care, excessive sleep etc.

The Client DS was very cooperative throughout his treatment in Psymed Hospital,

psychological assessments were conducted and he was under medication and

observation for 3 days.

The case study details were collected under the supervision of Dr.Sindhu, She was

very supportive throughout the case study period in the hospital. She clarified the

doubts and queries regarding the case and also encouraged to do more case studies in

future.
REFERENCES

Benjamin B. Wolman ( 2000), “ Adolescence: Biological and Psychosocial

Perspectives”, 6th edition, Paper Collins publishers, New Delhi.

Nanette J. Davis ( 2001) , “Youth Crisis : Growing Up in the High-Risk

Society ’’ 8th edition ,Applenton - Century Crofts, New York.

The Treatment Team Approach in Addiction – Import, 15 Oct 2010

by Godkin Dr Masha (Author)

http://www.mayoclinic.org

http://wechslertest.com

www.drugabuse.gov