Case Study Analysis

Literature Review Thesis

When the updated version, DSM-5, came out there was a new area for alcohol disorders which are referred to as alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This is a step forward in that there are criteria to be met for a proper diagnosis as well as help in the way of treatment and testing available for the disorder. This paper will aim to look into the diagnosis of an AUD as well as different treatment methods that are available and some testing that can be beneficial in helping a person newly diagnosed. The overall goal is to help diagnose Patient: Jerry and to start a treatment plan for him that will be beneficial so that he is able to get back to his life in a meaningful way.

Annotated Bibliography

Anker, J. J., Kushner, M. G., Thuras, P., Menk, J., & Unruh, A. S. (2016). Drinking to

cope with negative emotions moderates alcohol use disorder treatment response in patients with co-occurring anxiety disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 159, 93.

This article relates to the case study in that it gives insight into why a drinking problem may develop an underlying mental health problem. This is important because it shows that there needs to be a complete understanding of the person’s mental health and what exactly they need from treatment. If there are other mental health issues that have alcohol abuse as a result then there needs to be a treatment plan that includes the original problem that led to the development to the alcohol abuse. It will help treat the whole person rather than just pieces.

Berger, L., Brondino, M., Fisher, M., Gwyther, R., & Garbutt, J. C. (2016). Alcohol use

disorder treatment: The association of pretreatment use and the role of drinking goal. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 29(1), 37-49. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2016.01.150143

This article is related to the case study in that it looks at different treatment methods to help with the goal of not drinking. The authors conduct a study in which they use abstinence as well as pharmacological treatments and they found that they are helpful. Most patients would benefit from the combo method of medication and the goal of abstinence.

Grove, R., McBride, O., & Slade, T. (2010). Towards DSM-V: Exploring diagnostic

thresholds for alcohol dependence and abuse. Alcohol & Alcoholism, 45(1), 45-52. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agp069

This article relates to the case study in that it assesses whether the DSM-5 should list alcohol abuse disorders as dimensional or categorical construct. It also shows why alcohol abuse disorders should be listed as a psychological disorder by looking at suicide rates as well as genetics, onset of drinking age, mental distress and other factors. There is also a call for diagnostic thresholds to be defined in a systematic way but there is validity for the DSM-5 to make an area for alcohol disorders in the new version.

Hagman, B. T., & Cohn, A. M. (2011). Toward DSM-V: Mapping the alcohol use

disorder continuum in college students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 118(2), 202-208. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.03.021

This article relates to the case study in that it looks at the validity of the DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use dependency. By testing the validity it is ensuring that the criteria that is needed to diagnose a patient is doing just that, accurately and correctly diagnosing someone so that treatment and the road to recovery can begin. The study is conducted on college students which is kind of genius seeing as there is a higher rate of drinking during college and there is clear evidence to as well as examples to prove the accurateness. The results call for more high-risk findings from college students and that there is a general acceptance of the proposed changes of the DSM-5 for alcohol abuse.

Isenhart, C. E., & Silversmith, D. J. (1996). MMPI-2 response styles: Generalization to

alcoholism assessment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 10(2), 115-123. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.10.2.115

This article relates to the case study because this is an assessment that can be given to people seeking treatment for alcohol dependence. The reason for having the MMPI-2 is to see if there is a correlation between test-taking attitudes and the response to treatment. By completing the test the hope is that there is a level for fakeness and lies and these can be factored out to get to the end result and by getting to the result the person will be able to get the best treatment tailored to their style. While this study was proved effective there is a call for continued research for using this test as an effective tool in the making of a treatment plan for a person that has alcohol use dependency.

Maisto, S. A., & Saitz, R. (2003). Alcohol use disorders: Screening and diagnosis. The

American Journal on Addictions, 12, s12-s25. doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2003.tb00493.x

This article is related to the case study in that it looks at screening and diagnosing for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This article wants to give clinicians and researchers information on how to properly help those in treatment facilities as well as tests that can be used to evaluate how dependent a person is on their alcohol. This is useful in knowing the signs as well as how to intervene and start treatment for a patient.

Quanbeck, A., Chih, M., Isham, A., & Gustafson, D. (2014). Mobile delivery of treatment

for alcohol use disorders: A review of the literature. Alcohol Research : Current Reviews, 36(1), 111-122.

While this is a literature review there is an importance to its subject content because of the technologically advanced world that we live in. The article looks at different treatment methods that include the use of the patient’s cell phone. This is a thing and it can be an important tool to use when it comes to dealing with a person with an alcohol abuse disorder because they may need extra encouragement at an odd hour or when a therapist is not physically present but there is still a level of accountability.

Pierucci-Lagha, A., Gelernter, J., Feinn, R., Cubells, J. F., Pearson, D., Pollastri, A.. .

Kranzler, H. R. (2005). Diagnostic reliability of the semi-structured assessment

for drug dependence and alcoholism (SSADDA). Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 80(3), 303-312. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.04.005

This relates to the case study by being an assessment that can potentially help those patients that are seeking treatment for their disorder. This test looks at the genetics of the person. There is said to be a high genetic rate for developing alcoholism depending on parent’s abuse before and this is a way to look at that. This can assess how much is genetic and how much is truly the person and their personality. This can assist in creating a treatment plan that is well rounded and has a bigger picture of what is at play with the disorder. While the SSADDA is typically used for cocaine and opioid addiction it is proven to be adequate in the screening and treatment of those with alcohol abuse disorders as well as other mental health diagnoses.