Flight_Case_Study

Flight Case Study
Student’s Name
Institution

Abstract
Substance abuse and dependence are very common in the recent times. Drug and alcoholic substance abuse are on the rise, and every day new cases are reported. Intensive research has been done to establish ways to deal with and cure substance abuse and dependence, however, some gaps are left regarding people suffering from comorbidity and substance abuse and dependence. Beyond associated financial effects, substance use leaves a psychological mark on an individual. Though there is always an illusion of high performance by individuals using the drugs, the psychological effects cannot be ignored. Flight is a movie written by John Gatins and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film revolves around the life of Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot from Atlanta, Georgia. The retired Navy pilot is under the grip of substance abuse. Throughout the film, we are taken through the life of Whip as a professional pilot who is presentable by all counts. However, the introduction is at a point where he is already under the grip of alcoholism and drug use.
Keywords: substance use, alcohol use disorder, Federal Aviation Administration, psychiatry. Substance use is a menace that has captured the society at large. This is a scourge whose eventual effect is people crossing lines considered inappropriate by societal norms. Though individuals usually get into it through peer pressure and at times out of curiosity, it is a situation that gets out of hand usually without consciousness.

Beyond associated financial effects, substance use leaves a psychological mark on an individual. Though there is always an illusion of high performance by individuals using the drugs, the psychological effects cannot be ignored. This is a situation seen amongst people in high-risk areas or those expected to make tough and life-changing choices. The air of calmness created by the drugs allowing for decision making without tension may be misconstrued by some, if not all, as the most beneficial effect. Still, there are underlying issues created that if not checked in time, will have lethal effects.
Presenting the Problem
Flight is a movie written by John Gatins and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film revolves around the life of Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot from Atlanta, Georgia. The retired Navy pilot is under the grip of substance abuse (“Flight – Action Movies,” 2017). The pilot, played by actor Denzel Washington, makes his way to work one morning after a night spent in sex, alcohol, and drugs. On top of that, Whip sneaks bottles of alcohol into the jetliner. The events occurring act as a case for analysis of the effectiveness of high performing individuals and the psychological condition that result.
History of present illness
Throughout the film, we are taken through the life of Whip as a professional pilot who is presentable by all counts. However, the introduction is at a point where he is already under the grip of alcoholism and drug use. Whip has an ex-wife and son. On top of that, he has is perpetuating a relationship with a coworker, flight attendant called Trina. It is evident from the film that Whip did not suffer any childhood trauma that would have influenced him to alcoholism. In addition, his background was not one of a family taken aback by alcohol-related problems. Whip, it is apparent, picked up alcoholism by himself. There are no predisposing factors or personal failures leading to it other than the consequences of his drinking.
Though there is no specific reason as to where alcoholism starts, there are research reports have revealed there are risk factors related to alcoholism. Generally, they can be grouped into the family background and personality. There are schools of thought that believe that alcoholism may run in a family and is thus partially inherited. Trait anxiety, also, has been seen as a risk factor for alcoholism. Such are factors are known to lead in uncontrolled alcohol consumption. Captain Whitaker did not go through all these.
However, it is clear that Whip is an attention seeker. This is evident in his broken marriage and two affairs. From the first scene, he is introduced in a hotel room with his girlfriend Trina. Later on, we see him easily hook up with Nicole, another recovering addict (“Flight – Action Movies,” 2017). These two heavily affect him when they are gone and Whip seeks solace from the bottle. Such is indicative of a personal cause of his alcoholism. He is also seen as an individual who, though craving attention, prefers the life of anonymity. This is a skill he perfects through his dual life where on one end he is an alcoholic and on the other a highly skilled pilot. Such are pointers to an antisocial behavior, a factor leading to his search of consolation in substance use.
Past psychiatric history
It is a legal requirement by the FAA rules and regulations that airline pilots undergo checkups. For those 40 years and below it is at on an annual basis and for those older, it is biannually. However, these tests are not always indicative of underlying conditions. It is, therefore, possible for individuals to feign control and wellness in front of the aviation doctors while deep in their core a psychological war is brewing. However, a look into the candidates past psychological health is revealing. This is because it is a collection of behavioral patterns that are predictive of future tendencies.
Whip as a captain is an individual standing out as an accomplished liar. As such, it is not a difficult task being qualified as physically and mentally fit to fly. A look at his past life situations reveals embedded psychological issues. Starting with the most recent, Whip is separated from his wife and kid who want nothing to do with him (“Flight – Action Movies,” 2017). This is a trigger that prompting him to raise his consumption level as a coping mechanism. Whip, while still facing this, assumes a normal life, acting like he is in control. He even goes to the point of initiating a love affair with Trina. His previous personality, coupled with a separation, is a sign that his drinking is beyond the celebratory swig.
It is essential, additionally, to note that Whip has been an efficient individual operating in a high-stress field. The expectations for complete sobriety and professionalism are an extra load for him. This is a factor leading to his search for momentary peace through drinking. Such led to an apparent rift in his own home. The eventual result of this was the divorce that in effect accelerated his fall into the scourge. Such a family background is indicative of his past psychiatric state and the reason for his present troubles with substance use.
Social and developmental history
A drug addiction is a chronic illness with relapses in an individual resulting in dependencies. These tendencies, however, have roots. The social growth and development of an individual are one of the predisposing factors to addiction. For Whip, it has been previously established that he is a recent divorcee who craves for attention. As such, he is bound to seek out a form of comfort from substance use when deprived of such. Again, it can be seen from the film that Captain Whitaker comes out as a man socially expected to be in control. Such a requirement in a high-pressure business would appear normal. However, it has a gradual psychological effect contributing to relapses. From his earlier years, Whip has been involved in activities resulting in his standing out in prominence. In addition, Whip is not a religious type. When it is brought to him that his maneuvering the plane was an act of God, he believes it was by his own skills and abilities that it happened (“Flight – Action Movies,” 2017). This shows he did not grow around strong spiritual beliefs that may have acted as a source of mores. This would have been a guard against relapse.
Medical History
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set guidelines prescribing basic standards on the health of airline personnel. Whip is medically fit. This, partly, is evident from the fact that the airline allows him to hold his job. Though addiction is as a condition referred to as a disease, it is, however, a condition that developed gradually in Whip to a point where the assumptions effect could not be made anymore. This, it is clear, is the only condition he has suffered from. He is qualified medically as an airline pilot with no permanent conditions.
Family psychiatric and medical history
A look into the health of his family is revealing. The fact that the couple file for divorce shows there were irreconcilable differences. The psychological state of the wife and son were affected greatly by Whip’s tendencies. This, it is clear, was a divorce that was filed to seek an end to the psychological turmoil. Besides, this was a testament to the suffering they went through before they decided to call it quits. However, the family is medically fit.
Mental status examination
After there was carried a mental health status examination it was revealed that Whip suffered from prolonged alcohol use disorder. The test results also revealed that Whip suffered from alcohol withdrawal. Mental problems not only emanate us to drink too much, they, in addition, make people drink a little too much. Whip, the results state, has suffered from both effects. His previous family situation state led him to sink more into alcoholism to a point of disillusionment. This is seen in his quest for transformation when he tries quitting without outside help. Again, it reveals itself in his adamant belief that it was his very own ability that saved 96 lives ((Bovin, Marx, Weathers, Gallagher, Rodriguez, Schnurr & Keane, 2016). In spite of this, Whip exhibits full cognitive capability in a situation where he is not extremely intoxicated.
DSM diagnosis
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is a document that clinicians and psychiatrists use to diagnose mental illnesses (Bovin, Marx, Weathers, Gallagher, Rodriguez, Schnurr & Keane, 2016). Psychiatric evaluation of patients with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a challenging medical task. This is because alcoholism can mimic or complicate psychiatric syndromes. It makes diagnosis difficult especially on the actual nature of the patient’s complaint. From the film, Whip is seen to use alcohol in the most dangerous of places. Flying a plane full of passengers under influence is a hazard for the people onboard and himself. In addition, he keeps on drinking despite the fact that his wife and son have unanimously built a rift barring him access to a family that was once his (“Flight – Action Movies,” 2017). These are manifestations in which he meets the basic criteria for alcohol abuse. In addition, Whip is seen to withdraw when he chooses to take residence at his father’s barn after the crash. While in this state, he tries to get rid of all alcoholic drinks in a bid to quit but is unsuccessful.
Biopsychosocial Formulation
From a biological view, Whip does not suffer from any genetic vulnerability that might result in his AUD. However, he is a man who at the most basic uses deception as a defense mechanism concerning the underlying alcoholism. He seeks to lie by means of convincing people that he is still effective in his job regardless of his drinking. This is clearly seen when he argues with Charlie concerning his drinking problem. Socially, Whip has no support essential for recovery. His girlfriend and colleague Trina is introduced as a lady who only cares that he is present. Again, his wife and son are separated from him primarily due to his drinking problem. Though he enjoys a brief relationship with Nicole, she deserts him the moment she realizes he is a danger to his recovery process. These factors play a major role (Bovin, Marx, Weathers, Gallagher, Rodriguez, Schnurr & Keane, 2016) in his near perpetual state of intoxication characterized by failed attempts at self-medication.
Treatment Recommendations
Individuals dealing with alcohol use disorder need not suffer alone. This is because there are professional systems in place to assist them to recover. Towards the end of the film, Captain Whitaker is seen as a man who is reconciled with himself. His decision to end the cycle of lies ushers him into a new phase of life following his hearing. Though it brings with it an eventual jail term, it creates an opportunity for him to heal and reconnect with his family. His son is seen coming over to visit seeking help on an essay concerning his father. This is indicative of a reunion. His transformation is also evident during the AA meetings while he serves his term.
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5238753092450052387530924500Whip’s grandfather
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Nicole
Temporary
-1809754000500-1809754000500 Whipsexual relationship
Trina
349567531623000360045031623000Whip’s wife
Divorced
Whip’s Son
References
Bovin, M. J., Marx, B. P., Weathers, F. W., Gallagher, M. W., Rodriguez, P., Schnurr, P. P., & Keane, T. M. (2016). Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth Edition (PCL-5) in veterans. Psychological Assessment, 28(11), 1379.
Flight – Action Movies. (2017, January 2). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0N0gS3JpS8