Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis of a Substance Abuser
Abstract
The paper includes an assessment and a diagnosis of an alcohol substance abuser based on the conducted interview. A genesis for treatment and possible course of recovery are proposed based on the individual’s type of substance abuse, stage of recovery, general assessment, and rationale. A DSM-V type diagnosis is provided. After the interview, based on the 11 possible criteria for the diagnosis, it is established that the alcohol abuser suffers from a severe substance use disorder, to be precise, the alcohol use disorder. The individual is in early remission and is currently suffering from withdrawal. Therefore a rehabilitation therapy is proposed based on the conclusions extracted from the interview.
Keywords: substance abuse, DSM-V, addiction
Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis
of a Substance Abuser
An interview with a substance abuser has been conducted. Type of substance of concern is alcohol. The subject of the assessment is a 26 year old Caucasian male, currently unemployed. The subject is suffering from the Substance Use Disorder, precisely, the Alcohol Use Disorder. The DSM-V type diagnosis has been made based on the assessment of the presence of the 11 addiction criteria. Nine of the eleven criteria were present in the interviewed individual: taking alcohol in larger amounts than meant to, spending a lot of time using or recovering from alcohol use, cravings and urges to use alcohol, not managing to do what needs to be done at work and not being able to sustain a permanent job because of alcohol abuse, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems in personal relationships, giving up important occupational activities because of alcohol use, continuing to use despite the physical problem that could be made worse by the alcohol, needing more of the alcohol to get the wanted effect (increased tolerance), and development of withdrawal symptoms, which are relieved by taking more of the alcohol. Therefore, the subject is suffering from Severe Substance Use Disorder.
The Alcohol Use Disorder in the individual is assessed as minimally symptomatic. He should be closely monitored in case of development of more severe symptoms such as delirium or seizures. If left unmonitored symptoms might develop and lead to serious repercussions, such as cardiac failure and rhabdomyolysis.
The individual is currently in the stage of early remission. He is attending AAA meetings and has been sober for 3 months and 1 week now. The subject is struggling with withdrawal and is constantly tempted to use alcohol. He admits that it is incredibly hard to show self-control and he feels a lack of support. The surroundings prompt him to continue alcohol abuse, and the subject is prone to the negative influence of his environment. Therefore, it is recommended that the individual enters a rehabilitation facility where he can find the proper help and support he seeks.
Seeking for help, medical attention and emotional support in an inpatient treatment facility is the best option, since the individual is a heavy alcohol abuser with a Severe Substance Use Disorder. …
