Summary
Dave presents symptoms of alcohol-dependent syndrome, considering that he exhibits drug and non-drug use problems. Some of the drug use problems exhibited include excessive alcohol and cigarette consumption. Various triggers have established his overdependence on drugs, including peer pressure and lack of willingness to change (M1 Assignment, n,d). Therefore, this study explores Dave’s readiness and ability to change by analyzing various metrics, including his stage of change, readiness, and ability to change.
Case Summary
Dave also has had episodes of blackouts where he could not recall what happened. The reason is that Dave consumes approximately 48 bottles of alcohol every weekend. For 15 years, Dave has been smoking about five cigarettes daily, which is beyond the maximum limit (M1 Assignment, n,d). Additionally, he experiences insomnia when not under drugs, indicating significant dependence. Some of the non-drug use problems include; denial of drug dependence, engaging in risky activities such as driving under the influence, inability to refuse to accompany friends in bars, and feeling distraught when advised against drugs which indicates a significant problem with drugs.
Readiness and Ability to Change
There are various stages of change, including pre-contemplation, contemplation, readiness, action, and sustainability. Dave’s situation of over-dependence and denial puts him in the pre-contemplation category (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2017). He qualifies to be in the pre-contemplation group in alcohol consumption, considering that he claims to be clean from drugs and has never even taken aspirin which shows denial. His perception of alcohol is that taking much does not harm the body or change behavior, and being caught with a drug-related crime is just bad luck.
The reason is that he has cases filed against him for drinking and driving and believes that meetings set to promote sobriety, such as Alcohol Anonymous (AA), are irrelevant. All of these indicate that Dave is in a state of denial and lacks the knowledge of how drug dependence has negatively impacted his life (M1 Assignment, n,d). Therefore his drug tendency can be recorded pre-contemplation stage for alcohol and cigarettes.
Similarly, his non-drug problems, including engaging in risky behaviors, denial of drug dependence, conforming to peer pressure, and feeling distraught when advised, set him in the pre-contemplation stage. One factor is that he acknowledges the integral role his wife Melanie plays in their life and confesses that he will not feel bad if she leaves, indicating cognitive awareness of moral principles (M1 Assignment, n,d). This factor indicates that he is capable of deciding to change and is also knowledgeable of the consequences of his behaviors but refuses to make changes to his lifestyle.
Alcohol use is one of the drugs Dave is proactive about seizing to use. The reason is that he has worked to reduce alcohol consumption despite the various setbacks he experienced. For instance, Dave joined the AA club, indicating the realization of the consequences of alcoholism and wanting to change (Sommers-Flanagan, 2014). He also mentions that it would be easier to reduce his alcohol intake if his wife stopped nagging him about his alcoholism status each day. These attempts to gain sobriety indicate that alcohol is one drug he would like to use.
One non-drug problem identified as a priority for change is conforming to pressure from friends. Dave is willing to change, considering he understands how to make necessary changes (M1 Assignment, n,d). How mentions that he does not know how to explain to his friends that he will not be available. His willingness to solve this menace shows that he can change his friends but still makes excuses for maintaining this friendship.
His drug use problem can be rated high, considering it exceeds usual standards. For instance, his alcohol intake stands at 8 out of 10, indicating that he is a heavy drinker. His readiness to quit alcohol is 3 out of 10, indicating that he is in denial and has made drinking a lifestyle. His tobacco smoking can be rated as 7 out of 10, considering that he smokes over half the pack of cigarettes daily. Dave’s readiness to quit smoking tobacco is at 2 out of 10, considering that he is dealing with chronic dependence that has lasted 15 years, making him hesitant to change (M1 Assignment, n,d). His non-drinking problems, including risky activities such as driving under the influence, inability to refuse to join friends in bars, and feeling distraught when advised against drugs, stand at 7 out of 10, indicating that they are significant problems (M1 Assignment, n,d). His willingness to change stands at 1 out of 10, considering that he has put little effort into changing these habits.
There are specific areas that I would want to address about the patient’s background, including some of the childhood trauma that he may have encountered, considering that all of these influence behavior (Miller & Rollnick, 1991). This information will help uncover some triggers that established this problematic behavior. This information will also help develop a better intervention for his behaviors.
Specific questions to ask include:
- How did the physical trauma experienced during childhood affect you?
- Did this trauma make you feel rejected?
- Did your parents ever accept some of the decisions you made?
Various things, including childhood trauma, can trigger dependence on drugs. Dave’s scenario depicts the life of a drug-dependent individual who abuses alcohol and cigarettes. His willingness to change has been affected by external factors, including friends and wrong perceptions about the effects of drug abuse. This behavior can be traced back to his childhood environment, considering that he faced physical abuse and rejection, which requires intensive therapy.
References
Lassiter, P. S., & Culbreth, J. R. (2017). Theory and practice of addiction counseling. Sage Publications.
M1 Assignment. (n,d) Assessment Applied to Selected Case Study 5
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (1991). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people to change. Guilford Press
Sommers-Flanagan, J. (2014). Clinical Interviewing: Intake, Assessment & Therapeutic Alliance Video. YouTube. Web.