Graduation Year

2020

Graduation Month

December

Document Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

School or Department

Psychology

Major

Psychology

Faculty Mentor

Kaetlyn Cordingley

Keywords

SBIRT, addiction, treatment

Subject Categories

Community-Based Research

Abstract

Our team approaches drug and alcohol addiction through the lense of a holistic medical model and focuses on integrative healthcare and treatment at all points in an individual’s experience with substance abuse. Through a review of global and local research on addiction, we observed the benefits of integrative healthcare for individuals and society and noticed that the state of Montana is behind in implementing such programs. We propose the implementation of infrastructure that provides prevention, intervention, and treatment programs across multiple healthcare agencies and community organizations. This unification within the health organizations in Missoula, Montana will promote the integrative care of all individuals in need, as well as maximize the benefit and effect of existing addiction resources. Additionally, our team brings a variety of knowledge and professional experience in the field of psychology to the topic and we aim to also provide addiction intervention resources in areas of mental and behavioral health care, housing instability, and poverty. Both Community Health Centers and screening programs have a presence in Missoula but they are not as effective as they need to be at preventing and treating addiction. Our team will conduct research to examine where exactly the community needs assistance in unifying the care for those experiencing substance addiction. Our emphasis on the integrated treatment and prevention of drug and alcohol addiction is meant to ensure that each patient receives the care they need as quickly as possible. The coordination between services and programs is key to the success of integrated healthcare and the emphasis the medical model for drug and alcohol addiction reduces the punitive and recidivistic effects of the law enforcement model. Our team strives to increase outreach to these programs and increase the use of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach. This approach identifies those at risk for developing a SUD through effective screening methods and provides treatment for those with a SUD before detrimental results, such as comorbid health problems and legal troubles, occur.

Honors College Research Project

Yes

GLI Capstone Project

no

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2020 Lauren Baeten, Shannon Frizzell, and Kelly Toney