Final answer:
An appropriate initial outcome criterion for a client seeking drug and alcohol counseling is to verbalize that a substance abuse problem exists, as this acknowledgment is essential for further recovery steps.
Step-by-step explanation:
An appropriate initial outcome criterion for a client who is a polysubstance abuser and mandated to seek drug and alcohol counseling could be option a, verbalizes that a substance abuse problem exists. This is considered a crucial first step in many therapeutic models for recovery, reflecting acknowledgment of the problem, which is foundational for subsequent therapeutic interventions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines the criteria for substance use disorders, which include a pattern of compulsive use of drugs despite negative consequences, as well as physical and psychological dependence.
Acceptance of the problem allows the individual to open up to learning about the neurotransmitter systems impacted by drugs and to understand how their behaviors and drug use affect them and others around them – an understanding developed further in therapy and counseling. Furthermore, this admission aligns with what anthropologist Summerson Carr observed as 'healthy talk', where individuals make progress in treatment by learning culturally appropriate ways to speak about their addiction and responsibilities.