Case Study: Shelby County Mental Health Clinic

I live in Maylene, Alabama which is within Alabaster which is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama. Alabaster has grown more than 63% in the last ten years. The fast growth has made Alabaster a profitable place to do business and the demand for retail and restaurants is high. Alabaster’s crime rate is one of the lowest in Shelby County which makes it an attractive place to live. With its fast growing economy, Alabaster has much opportunity for employment (City of Alabaster). Though industry is high, opportunities for mental health care are low. Shelby County has a mental health clinic, though it is not located in Alabaster. Alabaster has some psychiatry services, though none are non-profit or work on a sliding scale pay rate. There are opportunities for individuals who have health insurance to obtain services, though the resources for low income individuals or the unemployed are slim. Shelby County Mental Health Clinic would be the nearest resource that would be available to Alabaster citizens, though treatment may be challenging if transportation is an issue. Alabaster has a population of 30,991 with 79% being white, 13.5% black, and 9% Hispanic or
Treating an individual with a dual diagnosis of substance abuse disorder and mental illness can be problematic in several different areas. Because the individual not only suffers from SMI but SUD as well, several factors must be considered before an accurate diagnosis can even be made. It is unlikely that a therapist specializing in addiction counseling or a therapist specializing in clinical mental health counseling would be equip in and of themselves to treat these patients, consultation and combined efforts would be