The Substance Use Crisis in the United States—Moving from “Why the Addiction?” to “Why the Pain?”—Ethical Considerations for Social Workers

Registration: Please visit our website HERE for more information and to register.

Presenter:
Kyle M. Bennett, Ph.D., MSW
Assistant Professor
St. Ambrose University School of Social Work

Description:
Research from the last decade suggests anywhere from 29.1% to 49% of United States-born persons experienced a lifetime diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder (SUD; Grant et al., 2015; Payne, 2020; Salas-Wright et al., 2014). A vast majority of those diagnoses are for alcohol use disorders (AUD), with other substances (e.g. Cannabis, Opioids, Cocaine, Other Stimulants) accounting for roughly 9.9% of lifetime diagnoses nationally (Grant et al., 2016). Exacerbating these trends, the COVID-19 pandemic collided with the ongoing opiate/opioid crisis here in the United States, resulting in widespread shutdowns, economic and social consequences, and reductions in access to community and healthcare agencies (Melamed et al., 2020). Given the tremendous levels of stigma surrounding substance use here in the United States (though internationally as well), and considering fewer than 6% of individuals ages 12 and older who might benefit from specialized substance use treatment received such treatment in 2021, it is not an understatement to say we are experiencing a domestic crisis of emotional pain for which many individuals use substances to help medicate (SAMHSA, 2023; Yang et al., 2018). Social work professionals would benefit from more person-centered approaches to working with these populations and as a means to understanding "Why the pain?" rather than simply, "Why the addiction?". Through this presentation and discussion, we will explore these questions and challenges via the social work Code of Ethics, and re-commit ourselves to ethical work with the individuals, groups, and communities all around us who are likely affected by emotional pain and the substance use it causes.

Participants will:
1) Explore the etiology and epidemiology of substance use domestically.
2) Summarize the importance of both person-centered and person-in-environment methods to working with individuals, groups, and communities affected by emotional pain and despair.
3) Enhance understanding of social work ethics within the contexts of substance use and addictions.
4) Engage in critical self-reflection and ethical decision making through review of scenarios and discussions.

Continuing Education:
This event meets the criteria of the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing social work education for a maximum of 3.0 hours. St. Ambrose University School of Social Work is a licensed provider of social work education through the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and will grant a maximum of 3.0 continuing education units. (IDFPR license #159.000816).