The given case study is about an individual who has an alcohol addiction. The main cause of alcoholism is deeply rooted in dysfunctional mother and daughter relationship. Social damage from alcoholism is enormous because families break up, crime grows, life expectancy decreases, and the intellectual level of society declines. Jane’s alcoholism problem is directly caused by her family issues.
The referral should be made, where Jane could express her thought and understand the causes of her addiction. Jane’s primary problem is her alcohol addiction due to high levels of consumption (Perkinson 134). Children of alcoholics have reduced mental potential, suffer from various diseases of the central nervous system, which ultimately inhibits the normal development of society as a whole (Galanter et al. 298). Alcohol use is a mass phenomenon associated with such social categories as traditions and customs, on the one hand, and public opinion and fashion, on the other. Also, alcohol consumption is linked with the psychological characteristics of the individual.
The given case study is a typical occurrence when a person begins to overconsume alcoholic drinks as a solution for the underlying issues. Jane’s physical changes are minor, because her alcoholism lasts not long enough to cause a significant amount of damage. However, the behavioral shifts are present, such as social isolation and difficulty in communication. The issues are the result of depression, and alcoholism make the problem more severe. The main point is that personality disorders caused by alcohol addiction disrupt the socio-psychological patterns of adaptation (Galanter et al. 312). This leads to the fact that maladaptive personal properties are fixed, because of the specific social and socio-psychological conditions that provoke alcohol consumption.
The correct referral method for Jane Roberts is transferring her to Alcoholics Anonymous because it will allow her to open up and have social interaction. Currently, the problem of psychological assistance to people with substance dependence and their close ones retains its importance (Perkinson 142). The researchers note that mental health disorders and distortions in personal development are detected not only in individuals with manifestations of alcohol dependence but also in their family members, in particular, their marriage partners (Perkinson 121). A person dependent on psychoactive substances inevitably forms around him or her a complex of pathological, inadequate, painful relationships leading to various disturbances in the family environment at personal and social levels.
In conclusion, the case study of Jane Roberts is about her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, which led to alcoholism. Family codependency is defined as a violation of mental health and personal development, formed as a result of prolonged exposure to stress as well as a full concentration on the problems of another family member. The psychological content of codependency is evidence of the uniqueness of health disorders and personal functioning of a family member as compared with alcohol-related disorders.
Questions
- Can you skip consuming alcohol or Valium for one day?
- Have you ever experienced losses in memory and black outs?
- How are your social interactions are influenced by Valium and alcohol?
- Did you experience severe symptoms of withdrawal?
- Have you ever risked your freedom and safety to acquire the substances?
- Are you a social drinker or do you prefer loneliness?
- Which one the substances do you prefer when you are depressed and angry?
- Did your daily dose of alcohol increased since you started?
- What part of a day do you consume the substances?
- What attempts did you make to give up the substances?
The rationale for these questions is that they identify severity of an addiction, and gather information, which will be useful during the treatment procedures. Open-ended questions allow interviewees to have freedom of answers, whereas yes/no type of survey are limiting.
Works Cited
Galanter, Marc, et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of substance abuse treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Perkinson, Robert R. Chemical Dependency Counseling: A Practical Guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.