Client and Risk Factors
In addiction counseling, “Drugstore Cowboy” serves as a fascinating case study of Bob Hughes, portrayed by Matt Dillon. Bob is a complicated person struggling with addiction and its tremendous effects on his life. Bob Hughes is charming but still battling drug addiction as he represents the hardships of individuals trying to manage life while abusing drugs. Bob’s addiction is insidious and affects every aspect of his life (Movieclips, 2012). He robs pharmacies to support his drug habit, and numerous risk factors exacerbate Bob’s addiction. First, social context matters since by depicting Bob as part of a close-knit gang of addicts, the film normalizes and romanticizes drug usage (Movieclips, 2012). His companionship supports his drug misuse, making breaking the pattern difficult, but he is depicted as vulnerable due to his background. The film suggests his addiction may be caused by trauma or unsolved difficulties. Effective therapy requires uncovering these underlying causes. Additionally, Bob’s legal efforts complicate matters as his drug addiction is perpetuated by illegal activity, which puts him at risk of legal penalties. Addressing these legal entanglements becomes integral to the counseling process.
Stages of the Disease
Bob Hughes’ addiction in “Drugstore Cowboy” progresses through phases with increasing problems and repercussions. First-stage drug usage is recreational. Bob’s thirst for altered states of awareness led him to drugs. Occasionally, using drugs shows experimentation and a lack of comprehension of the risks. Drug usage is Bob and his friends’ means of escaping reality. Recreational usage becomes routine as the Movie progresses. Drugs stop being a treat and become a way to cope with life. Bob and his crew get dependent on drugs to overcome obstacles. Drug usage becomes part of their everyday routine in the film, a combination of leisure and compulsion. In the third stage, addiction worsens and causes harmful conduct. Bob becomes addicted to drugs with serious repercussions. He is desperate and prepared to do everything to fund his addiction, even stealing pharmacies (Movieclips, 2012). This phase emphasizes personal values decay and drug precedence above ethics. The final stage encapsulates the culmination of the downward spiral rock bottom. Legal issues, broken relationships, and declining health make Bob’s life unbearable. He must face the deadly effects of his addiction at a turning moment. As Bob struggles with his life’s debris, the film shows insightful self-realization and conflict.
Interventions That the Addict Attempted
Throughout “Drugstore Cowboy,” Bob Hughes tries numerous addiction therapies. The film shows how addiction treatment is complicated and its obstacles. Bob quits drugs cold turkey without a gradual decrease in one intervention. The physical and psychological withdrawal effects of drug use make this method difficult. The intervention is seen to be tough as Bob experienced withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, anger, and physical pain. Also, Bob joins a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The program comprises mutual support, accountability, and spiritual development (Cape, 2003). Twelve-step programs are effective in building community and structuring rehabilitation, and they provide Bob and other addicts a support structure via their community. However, in Bob’s situation, several difficulties prevent interventions and therapies. First, the film’s depiction of drug use’s socioeconomic root causes a major issue. Leaving a drug-normalizing environment is difficult, and fear of isolation may hinder solutions. Also, the film argues that unresolved trauma or psychological disorders contribute to Bob’s addiction, needing more sophisticated therapy. Also, Bob’s interventions were interfered with by legal complications as his illegal activity sustains his addiction, compounding rehabilitation difficulties. Therefore, fear of legal implications created a barrier to him seeking and sustaining the addiction therapy.
Co-occurring Disorder/s Manifested by the Client
Bob Hughes, a character in “Drugstore Cowboy,” has dual diagnoses, a drug use problem, and one or more mental health conditions. Bob’s addiction and mental health difficulties complicate his circumstances. Co-occurring disorders include anxiety disorder. Bob shows traces of anxiousness throughout the film, especially during withdrawal or while considering going without medicines. His restlessness, anger, and obsessive thoughts about drugs suggest an anxiety problem worsening his substance use issue. Bob also suffers from depression. His addiction frequently causes deep misery and despair in the film. His demeanor, conversations, and narrative tone reflect his depression. Bob’s sadness stems from addiction’s cycle and its effects on his life. Bob may also have PTSD; as depicted in the film, his history may have been horrific. PTSD patients often have flashbacks and vivid memories of terrible events, which may have led to drug misuse to deal with them. Moreover, Bob demonstrates impulsivity throughout the film, which is typically connected with ADHD or impulse control difficulties. Criminals robbing pharmacies show that impulsivity may be a co-occurring disorder.
Victims (In the Client’s Circle of Friends and Family) Of the Disease
Bob Hughes’ addiction ripples through his friends and family in “Drugstore Cowboy,” leaving victims struggling with drug abuse. Kelly Lynch plays Bob’s girlfriend, Dianne, a drug user. Dianne is a victim of addiction as her life becomes chaotic. Since they take drugs together, her relationship with Bob is codependent. Dianne’s struggle with stability, her declining health, and the inevitable repercussions of addiction show her victimization (Fischer et al., 2013). Bob’s close friend Rick, portrayed by James Le Gros, is another victim. They commit crimes to support their drug habit. Taking part in Bob’s drugstore thefts leads Rick into addiction. As his legal issues increase, Rick tackles the criminal justice system, showing how addiction affects freedom and the future. Billy S. Burroughs plays Tom, another Bob victim. Tom, an elderly group member, represents the long-term effects of addiction and cautions younger members about his deteriorating health. Tom’s victimization is his body’s damage and his restricted future free from addiction (Fischer et al., 2013). The condition also affects Bob’s mother. While not thoroughly covered in the film, Bob’s difficult relationship with his mother shows the suffering addiction families face. The fear, powerlessness, and emotional toll on loved ones show the broad repercussions of drug usage. Beyond Bob’s family, more victims exist. A pharmacist, portrayed by George Catalano, is victimized by the group’s crimes. Pharmacy robberies endanger the pharmacist and represent the irreparable harm drug users do to innocent people (Fischer et al., 2013).
Evidence-based Treatment Approach to Use with the Client
An understanding of the complicated relationship between addiction and co-occurring illnesses is needed to choose an evidence-based therapy for Bob Hughes from “Drugstore Cowboy .”He might benefit from an integrated approach that incorporates CBT, MET, and trauma-informed perspectives due to his complex issues. Treatment requires Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that examines the complex link between ideas, emotions, and actions (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2014). Bob would need to recognize and challenge addiction-related cognitive processes, including rationalizations or mistaken views about drug advantages. Long-term behavioral change is promoted by CBT’s trigger and desire management abilities. Addressing negative thinking patterns related to anxiety, sadness, and trauma helps cure co-occurring illnesses. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) builds on CBT by boosting the intrinsic drive for improvement. Bob’s hesitation regarding recovery would need MET to explore and reinforce his drug-free reasons. Bob’s therapist uses empathy and non-confrontation to inspire self-motivation and improvement. MET empowers and empowers addicts by addressing their resistance. Trauma-informed perspectives are necessary due to trauma. This requires acknowledging how trauma affects addiction and mental health. Trauma-informed care values safety, trust, choice, cooperation, and empowerment. A secure therapy atmosphere and trauma-sensitive approaches may improve Bob’s drug misuse difficulties and promote a feeling of stability needed for rehabilitation. Also, due to Bob’s impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) may be helpful. DBT uses cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness skills to regulate strong emotions and strengthen relationships (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2014). Impulsivity and emotional issues may be worsening Bob’s addiction; thus, this strategy works. Moreover, an integrated paradigm that recognizes biological, psychological, and social components affecting addiction would underlie the therapy. Ecological Systems Theory might explain how individual, family, and social influences impact Bob’s addiction. This comprehensive approach addresses both internal and environmental variables that affect behavior.
Self-Reflection about Watching the Movie
The movie “Drugstore Cowboy” evoked a range of emotions and made me think about addiction, its intricacies, and rehabilitation. An overwhelming feeling of sorrow and turmoil permeates the film, showing the terrible effects of drug misuse. As I followed Bob Hughes’ turbulent journey, I felt pity, frustration, and sadness. The film’s honest portrayal of addiction’s grasp on people and relationships was riveting and upsetting. Seeing the characters struggle with drug usage, criminality, and loss of relationships was painful. Matt Dillon’s compelling portrayal made the story more emotional. The film left a sorrowful feeling and a deep admiration for its genuineness. It was a sharp reminder that addiction is a complicated biological, psychological, and societal condition. The film’s depiction of the characters’ inner battles and their outward lives made me think about addiction’s complexity and the difficulties of breaking away from it. Drugstore Cowboy” humanized addiction, changing my view. It goes beyond the stereotype of addicts as self-destructors. Instead, it examines their complex and sometimes unpleasant decisions. The film showed how addiction cycles, affects relationships, and drives drug use as a coping strategy. It questioned willpower beliefs and emphasized that addiction is a complicated health condition, not a moral failure. The film also stresses empathy in addiction awareness. Bob Hughes and other addicts were shown as struggling with internal and external demons. This insight changed my perspective, stressing compassion and assistance in rehabilitation. Additionally, the film raised my understanding of social aspects affecting addiction. The film showed how the characters dealt with healthcare, criminal justice, and addiction culture. It made me think about the structural problems that keep the cycle going and the need for holistic, compassionate solutions.
References
Cape, G. S. (2003). Addiction, stigma, and movies. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 107(3), 163–169.
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2014). Foundations of addictions counseling (p. 528). Pearson.
Fischer, M., Martin, C., & Khorassani, F. (2013). Movie Review: Drugstore Cowboy. Mental Health Clinician, 3(6), 327-328.
Movieclips, (2012). Drugstore Cowboy movie [youtube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puXEHhZgXaY&list=PL7093F88D4EC9DBFD
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