Applying the Stages of Change Model to Substance Use Relapse: The Case of Mario

Abstract

HEALTH PSYC chapter 3 and 4 WEEK 3 JOURNAL It is important to discuss how change happens before explaining each step to promote change. As we know from our reading, Prochaska discovered that people go through six stages of change when they try to break unhealthy habits in accordance with the Stages of Change Model. Different tasks need to be addressed at each stage in order to progress to the next stage. It is important for the individuals to know what stage they are in. Without knowing this, the individual might set goals that are unrealistic. In thinking about the case below, what stage in the Stages of Change Model would Mario fall into and why?  Mario: Mario is a 39 year old male who has sought individual counseling for work-related stressors. Mario is a police officer and admits that sometimes his job “gets to him”. Recently, Mario’s partner was shot in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop. Fortunately, his partner sustained only minor injuries. However, Mario reports that he has experienced difficulty sleeping, concentrating, and relaxing since the incident. He reports that he has recently began to use his wife’s prescription sleep aid to help him fall asleep at night. However, the sleep aid has begun to lose its efficacy and Mario reports that he has recently began drinking in the evening, after he gets off of work to help him relax. Mario reports drinking approximately a six-pack of beer each evening for the past two weeks in addition to a half a pack of cigarettes. Mario admits that he is concerned about his reliance on substances to help control his stress. However, Mario states that he is also concerned about the effects of seeking treatment for his alcohol use as well as tobacco because of possible ramifications to his career.  (You should write at least 500 words to answer this question and use examples).  Week 3 short paper: applying the health b elief model The Health Belief Model is one of the most commonly used theories in health psychology to explain health behavior. According to this model, health behavior is determined by the personal beliefs or perceptions about a disease and strategies available to decrease its’ occurrence. Personal perception is also influenced by a wide variety of interpersonal factors which impact health behaviors. As we know from our reading, there are four perceptions which serve as main constructs of the model: Perceived Seriousness, Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Benefits, and Perceived Barriers. Each of these perceptions either combined or individually can be used to explain health behaviors. Now let’s think about applying this model to your everyday life. For example, let’s look at a common health related decision that is made on a year basis. In the US, many individuals each year choose to be vaccinated for the influenza virus while many others pass on being inoculated.  In thinking about yourself and this decision each year, please explain each of the 4 steps of the model in thinking about your decision making process in choosing to obtain the vaccine or not. Please think about each of the steps in the HBM and how it applies to you as you make a decision whether or not to be vaccinated. Remember to take into consideration the ecological and community models and to think about regulations and policies regarding vaccinations, community factors and ease of access. Directions: This short paper should include: A cover page 2 full pages of content A reference page, with at least two scholarly sources. Please use at least 1 scholarly source you find at the library to help further your discussion in addition to our textbook. Please use scholarly sources from our library and do not use websites such as Wikipedia, simple psychology, or other sites without academic backing. NEURO PSYC chapter 3 WEEK 3 DISCUSSION: brain development PRESENTATION Prompt: In Chapter 3 of the McHenry textbook, we are exposed to how the brain develops from birth through adolescence. Focusing mostly on Piaget’s developmental timelines, create a seven slide presentation. Slide one will be the title slide. Next, for slides 2 – 5, address Piaget’s four developmental stages – one for each slide....