Case Study: Negative Consequences Of Addiction

The case presented is that of, Juan Martinez, a 22 year old Mexican American male, who has been diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence, Narcotic Dependence, Stimulant Use Disorder-Moderate, and Opioids Use Disorder-Moderate. Client was also referred to a mental health professional to be assessed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and was later diagnosed and began treatment by a psychologist. Client, Juan Martinez, has had a history of unsuccessful relationship with friends, and significant others due to his substance abuse, and addictions. The presented client had stable employment and stable income from the United States Army, until he was discharged on a general discharge in December 2015. Client has reported that he was first introduced
Most research topics that have studied the relationship of addiction and military members are in regard to the negative consequences that arise from addiction and substance abuse. The topic of binge drinking and heavy drinking of military members, and the negative consequences that arise was discussed by Bray, Brown, Mattiko, and Olmstead (2011). Within the research they provided, they were able to discover some of the consequences that were common amongst service members. They included: loss of promotion, illness due to drinking with time off duty, punishment by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Driving Under the Influence (DUI), alcohol related arrests, alcohol related injury, alcohol related injury and damage to personal property, divorce and separation, and physical fighting. According to the research provided by Bray et al. (2011) “One fifth of active duty military personnel were classified as heavy drinkers and this group showed the highest risk of alcohol-related problems” (p 612). Also according to Bray et al. (2011) “Service members who were categorized as infrequent/light drinkers were as likely as moderate drinkers to report serious consequences and productivity loss related to alcohol use” (p 612). They contributed the equal likelihood of both heavy and light drinkers to have
One of the most widely believed theories in the treatment of addictions is the Disease Theory that has been widely known and used for years is explained by Korhonen (2003) she suggests that:
“The theory says those who have this innate disease cannot control their use of alcohol. When they first drink, the underlying disease is activated. The disease then leads them to drink more and more until it destroys them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There is no cure, it is said, but the effects of the disease can be stopped if the person stops drinking” (p 8).
The article presented explains that researchers and medical professors have believed in this theory for years. They explain that alcoholism and addiction is an incurable disease that you are born with, and active when you have your first drink. This theoretical approach applied to the presented case study explains that ever since Juan was exposed to alcohol and other substances his addiction has increased in severity overtime, and has lead him to rely on other substances, because the effects are no longer strong