Mrs. Hefner is a 40-year-old female

Journal entry:

 Mrs. Hefner is a 40-year-old female who lives with her 16-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter. Mrs. Hefner has been separated from her husband for 1 year. Throughout her marriage she and her husband used marijuana occasionally and drank only on weekends. Lately, she reports finding herself using both wine and marijuana nightly to help her fall asleep. She admits that her husband would binge drink on weekends but never touched alcohol during the week. Mr. Hefner has another family to support now and has been giving her less and less financial assistance. Mrs. Hefner works part-time to be able to care for her children. Daycare is too expensive and Mrs. Hefner is concerned about the minor trouble her 16-year-old has been getting into at school and in the neighbourhood.

1. Is substance abuse an issue in this family? Why or why not?

Mrs. Hefner comes to the community free-clinic asking for help. As the nurse, you begin to develop a plan of care for this family.

2. List the actual and potential problems in this scenario.

Mrs. Hefner says, “I’m so glad I heard about this clinic. I have been so worried, but I didn’t know where to go for help.”

3. What referrals would you make in this situation?