The addictions field struggled for years to get substance addiction recognized as a serious life-threatening illness, if not treated. Incorporating the physiological and psychological models assists clients in understanding the medical ramifications, psychological triggers, and post-acute withdrawal symptoms connected with their substance use. These two models also help explain the etiology of recovery in the five competency areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual.
Case Scenario
Sam is a twenty-eight-year-old man who has lately been drinking a lot. He is also seeing a counselor, whom he told that his alcohol consumption has increased because he wants to regain the buzz in his life. He confessed that all his attempts to go without drinking had failed in only about four days of remaining sober. He also mentioned that when he attempted to refrain from drinking, he experienced mood swings, stomach irritation, and sleeplessness, but denied having tremors or shakes. However, Sam denied undergoing any prior treatment for alcoholism.
Sam told his counselor that he recently broke up with his girlfriend after he had two nearly fatal car accidents in the last six months. Both happened because he had been drinking heavily. However, Sam believes that their breakup was a result of his girlfriend overreacting after the accidents. Sam knows that he was a teenager when he lost his father due to alcoholism and that his uncle is facing serious medical complications due to his drinking.
Using the South University Online Library, research further on addiction. Based on your research, understanding, and the given scenario, answer the following:
Using the DSM-V criterion, what would Sam’s diagnosis be? What intensity level (i.e., mild, moderate, or severe) would he be? Be sure to explain the diagnosis fully, including the concepts of withdrawal, tolerance, physical dependence, comorbidity, and psychological dependence.
References you will be using: Fields, R. (2020). Drugs in perspective: Causes, assessment, family, prevention, intervention, and treatment (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 9781260240672. Readings attached.
*Include two follow-up questions to expand the conversation.
