Substance Abuse & Triple C's

Recreational drug use has been a part of societal culture for as long as I can remember. Cannabis, Cocaine, Methamphetamines and a slue of other drugs have been used recreationally for years by teens and adults alike. One drug I am beginning to see more and more in my professional career as psychiatric social worker is the use of "triple c's," or "cold, cough and congestion" medication. Because these medications usually have some degree of ephedrine (a stimulant) many have learned they can take one or more boxes at a time to achieve a 'high.' These drugs have been abused for years by those who manufacture methamphetamine because the ephedrine is needed for the production of meth. What's more surprising is that a majority of individuals using these 'triple c's' are teenagers and young adults as they are more readily available than alcohol or other street drugs. They are found in most stores and unsuspecting parents are unlikely to question their child's needs for a cold, cough and congestion medication.

Trials & Triumphs of Social Work

Ahh... the tragedies, trials, joys and triumphs that come with the territory of social work. It doesn't matter if you work with patients, clients, children or adults there are certain qualities unique to all forms of social work. Frustration and joy, despair and excitement, accomplishments and failures. No matter what you do in social work or who you work with it is certain all of the aforementioned emotions have been or will be experienced. If you haven't expreienced these emotions....just give yourself some time, you will.

In everything we do, what's right for the patient takes precedent. However, does this mean if a patient has poor insight and no clue what they are in need of that social workers should intervene? Does this mean that if a patient yearns for the absolute worse thing they need that social workers intervene? Or, could it possibly mean that compromise reigns paramount and finding a solution acceptable to all is the appropriate answer?

No matter what your personal opinion regarding the matter is, we can remain certain that all emotions within the realm of human emotions are certain to be experienced in the occupation of social work.