Carla is a 26-year-old woman from Medellin, Colombia. She works as a server in a local restaurant. Her employer found her unresponsive in the restaurant's staff room and took her to the local hospital. After she was revived with the opioid antagonist naloxone (called la naloxona in Colombia), Carla was found to have nearly overdosed on opioids. Carla admitted to hospital staff that this was part of a pattern of episodic drug use she had engaged in over the past decade of her life.
Additionally, read the World Opioid and Substance Use Epidemic: A Latin American Perspective article to get a more holistic view of the opioid crisis in Latin America.
Prompt
Apply your disciplinary perspective to analyze and prioritize the major determinants of health implied by the case. In other words, defend your professional viewpoint regarding the most important factors that contribute to the health challenge. Then, in your responses, work as a group to refine those initial assessments.
In your initial post, address the following elements. Provide at least one scholarly source from the last five years to support your claims:
Identify the most important mental health considerations for this case. In other words, which mental health challenges are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla's case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Identify the most important nutritional considerations for this case. In other words, which nutrient deficiencies are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla's case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Identify the most important food safety and insecurity considerations for this case. In other words, which drivers of food insecurities are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla's case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
Full Answer Section
Evidence:
- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with SUD are more likely to experience depression and other mental health disorders than people without SUD.
- A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that people with depression are more likely to develop SUD and have more difficulty recovering from SUD.
Nutritional Considerations
People with SUD are at risk for a variety of nutrient deficiencies, including:
- Protein deficiency: Protein is essential for many bodily functions, including muscle repair and immune function. People with SUD may not eat enough food or they may eat foods that are low in protein.
- Iron deficiency: Iron is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body. People with SUD may lose iron through sweat or vomiting, or they may not eat enough foods that are rich in iron.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function and red blood cell production. People with SUD may not eat enough foods that are rich in vitamin B12, or they may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.
Evidence:
- A study published in the journal Nutrients found that people with SUD are more likely to have nutrient deficiencies than people without SUD.
- A study published in the journal Alcohol & Alcoholism found that people with SUD who also have nutrient deficiencies are more likely to experience health problems and have difficulty recovering from SUD.
Food Safety and Insecurity Considerations
People with SUD are at risk for food insecurity, which is a lack of access to adequate, nutritious food. Food insecurity can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health problems.
Drivers of food insecurity:
- Poverty: People with SUD are more likely to live in poverty, which can make it difficult to afford food.
- Lack of access to healthy food: People with SUD may live in areas where healthy food is less available or more expensive.
- Mental health challenges: Mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, can make it difficult to plan and prepare meals.
Evidence:
- A study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition found that people with SUD are more likely to experience food insecurity than people without SUD.
- A study published in the journal Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that people with SUD who also experience food insecurity are more likely to have health problems and have difficulty recovering from SUD.
Conclusion
The most important mental health, nutritional, and food safety and insecurity considerations for Carla's case are substance use disorder (SUD), nutrient deficiencies, and food insecurity. These factors are interconnected and can have a significant impact on Carla's health and well-being.
Recommendations
Carla should be assessed for SUD, depression, and nutrient deficiencies. She should also be connected with resources to address food insecurity. Carla's treatment plan should include evidence-based interventions for SUD and depression, as well as nutritional counseling and support.
Group Refinement
Our group agrees that the most important mental health, nutritional, and food safety and insecurity considerations for Carla's case are substance use disorder (SUD), nutrient deficiencies, and food insecurity. We also agree that Carla should be assessed for these conditions and connected with appropriate resources.
In addition to the recommendations above, we also suggest that Carla's treatment team consider the following:
- Trauma-informed care: People with SUD often have a history of trauma. Trauma-informed care is a type of care that is sensitive to the impact of trauma and provides support to help people heal.
- Peer support: Peer support programs can provide Carla with support from other people who have been through similar experiences.
- Harm reduction: Harm reduction is a set of strategies that aim to reduce the negative consequences of drug use without requiring abstinence. Harm reduction strategies that may be helpful for Carla include naloxone overdose prevention training, safe injection sites, and syringe exchange programs.
We believe that a comprehensive approach that addresses all of Carla's needs is essential for her recovery and well-being.
Sample Answer
The mental health challenges most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla's case are substance use disorder (SUD) and depression.
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by compulsive use of drugs, despite negative consequences. Carla's episodic drug use over the past decade is consistent with a diagnosis of SUD.
Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. Depression is often associated with SUD, and it can be a major barrier to recovery.