Rosa Lee Cunningham Case Study

ASSESSMENT:

Rosa Lee Cunningham is a 56 year old African American female. She is referred to the facility from Howard University Hospital. She was treated for a condition called osteomyelitis, which resulted from a bacterial infection while using heroin (Dash, 2006). Rosa Lee states that on October 7, 1983, she injected cocaine, which resulted in her being hospitalized at D.C. General Hospital (Dash, 2006). Prior to her hospital visit in 1983, she injected heroin, cocaine, and various substances. After a horrible breakup with her girlfriend, she used heroin for the first time (Dash, 2006). She stated that she uses speed ball of cocaine, heroin mixed injection as well as Prelundin, occasionally (Dash, 2006).

Ms. Lee has a record of drug abuse which includes, heroin,

cocaine, opioids and amphetamines. For the last twenty years Ms. Lee has been in and out of jail for stealing as well as selling drugs. Ms. Lee is referred to counseling in an attempt to help her recover from her addiction and to help Ms. Lee gain control of her addictive behaviors.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Information is gathered from interviews with the subject, family members, and other interested parties.
PSYCHSOCIAL HISTORY:
Rosa Lee Cunningham, born Rosa Wright was born October 7, 1936. Rosa is one of eighteen children between her mother and her father Earl Wright. Rosa a 56 year old African American female whom was born in Washington DC. Rosa Lee reports that her mother Rosetta Wright passed away in 1979 due to natural causes. Her father past away due to cirrhosis of the liver. Rosa Lee’s parents both grew up as poor sharecroppers in Virginia and moved to Washington DC during the Great Depression for better opportunity (Dash, 2006).
Ms. Lee had an obstreperous relationship with her mother. She stated that many times her mother would hit her upside her head or mouth (Dash, 1996). Ms. Lee stated that she began stealing as a young child to gain affection from her mother. She would bring the stolen items home and give them to her mother, who accepted the gifts but did not approve of Rosa stealing (Dash, 2006). Although her mother did not approve of her stealing she never disciplined her for stealing the items.
Ms. Lee stated that she had good relationship with her father. She stated that when she helped her father up the front steps, he sometimes gave her money (Dash, 2006). Her father Earl Wright passed away at the age of thirty-six when Rosa Lee was twelve years old due to cirrhosis of the liver (Dash, 2006). When her father died it, was a major turning point in her life. Rosa stated that she began to have sexual relations with any boy that would pay her any attention (Dash, 2006).
Rosa Lee reports having a total of nine children (one adopted son) with the first pregnancy occurring at thirteen years.

She shared that her parents urged her to marry the children’s father, Albert Cunningham (Dash, 2006). The marriage lasted four months, which ended with a brutal assault by Rosa’s husband (Dash, 1996). Rosa Lee states that she had a hysterectomy in order to prevent additional children. Rosa Lee has eight children from six different men, six boys and two girls, and thirty-two grandchildren (Dash, 2006). Five of her eight children are also substance abusers and her oldest son Bobby died from AIDS (Dash, 2006).

CURRENT STATUS:

Rosa Lee son Richard was sent to an inpatient drug treatment center in Colorado for three years. Ducky is in jail for theft. Rosa Lee is under the care of a doctor for treatment of HIV and takes methadone daily (Dash, 1996). Alvin and Eric are still doing well in their jobs (Dash, 1996). Patty is serving time in the state prison (Dash, 1996). Ronnie is living with his mother in law. Rosa Lee is currently living in public housing and takes care of a great-grandson during the day while his mother attends school (Dash, 1996).

INDICATORS OF

USE/ABUSE/DEPENDENCY:
Education. Rosa Lee dropped out of school at the age of thirteen when she was pregnant with her first child (Dash, 2006). Ms. Lee states that she is illiterate. She has a difficult time reading basic information, but will often act as though she can read. Ms. Lee said that she skipped school often and was promoted to the next grade despite the fact that her teachers knew she was illiterate (Dash, 1996). Without an education and the ability for her to read, it has been very difficult for Ms. Lee to find work.
Occupational Functioning. As a child Rosa Lee sold the Afro paper to members of the community. Rosa Lee states that she lives of her monthly check from the government. She states she sells items that she stills from various department stores to help earn additional income for her family. She was employed as a waitress an exotic dancer (Dash, 2006). She would make money by going home with various men (prostitution) to help pay for food and clothes for her family. She sold Darvon and Xanax, which she received from her doctor for back problems. She stated that she sells medications to her methadone friends; she also reports that she has sold marijuana and heroin for over 19 years (Dash, 1996).
Attitude and Behavior. Ms. Lee continues to use heroin despite the fact that it has given her seizures and could possible kill her.
Legal History. Between 1979-1983 arrested six times for shoplifting (Dash, 1996). She has been arrested over twelve times and has served five years in prison (Dash, 1996). She was arrested in 1965 for trying to steal a fur coat (Dash, 2006).
Health History. Rosa Lee is prescribed Xanax, Darvon prescriptions, Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Folic Acid, and Azido thymidine (AZT) for her HIV status (Dash, 1996). Rosa Lee states that she contracted HIV from sharing needles with her daughter. Rosa Lee states she has suffered three major seizures from heroin usage. Rosa Lee states that she wakes up every morning with withdrawal system and goes directly to the methadone clinic (Dash, 2006).
Spiritual History. At nine years old, she stole money from the pockets of church members. She grew up attending church and attends church from time to time (Dash, 2006). Rosa Lee and one of her granddaughters where baptized on the same day and she joined the Mount Joy Baptist church after a long absence (Dash, 2006).