Case Study, Mohr

CHAPTER 30, Substance Use Disorders

In completing the case study, students will be addressing the following learning objectives:

Identify the two main components of interdisciplinary treatment for clients with substance abuse disorders.

Explain the importance of recognizing co-occurring disorders. 

1. John, a 23-year-old unemployed man, is addicted to cocaine.  John lives with his mother and sister and has been stealing money from them to pay for his cocaine.  His mother persuaded John to voluntarily commit himself to the hospital for treatment of his substance abuse. In the initial assessment interview, the nurse learns that John began smoking marijuana at age 19 and occasionally consumes alcohol. John said that he started on cocaine after his father, who had a history of alcoholism, committed suicide.  John says that he began to feel anxious then and still has periods of anxiety.  John is cooperative with his treatment program and stated that he wants to get completely off drugs and get a good job to help his mother and sister.  John also said that if he experienced anxiety, he would take a stiff drink like his father had done when he was anxious.

 (Learning Objectives: 2)

a. How can the psychiatric staff counsel with John to avoid his turning to alcohol as substance?

b. With what other co-occurring disorders could John be diagnosed?