Paper Respond

Running Head: ADDICTION AND DEPENDENCE
TITLE: CASE STUDY APPLICATIONS
STUDENT’S NAME
INSTITUTION
DATE
Case Study Applications
Drug addiction and dependence are always characterized by factors such as tolerance, loss of control, withdrawal symptoms and drug interactions. Drug addiction and dependence not only affects the health of the user but also his or her work performance and those around him/her. George’s case study is an excellent example of drug addiction, dependence, and its impacts.
There are instances when George exhibits drug tolerance. He admits to trying to limit himself to two drinks per night but ends up taking more. George even tolerates hard liquor such as vodka. He cannot control his actions as he drinks too much and gambles. Using both alcohol and cocaine exhibits drug interaction. He uses alcohol when he feels so energized by the cocaine and stressed out due to losing money. Withdrawal symptoms are evident days after taking alcohol making him feel nervous. He justifies his behavior that alcohol is necessary to “turn down the volume” and disagrees that his work performance has been affected.
There are also DSM 5 symptoms noted in the scenario. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association used by both clinicians and psychiatrists to identify psychiatric illnesses (Cherry, 2018). For alcohol, cocaine, and gambling, he exhibits markers of impaired control, risky use, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms which are moderate and mild respectively.

George’s scenario shows addiction and dependency. Alcohol addiction is characterized by failure to stop using alcohol despite adverse consequences, exceeding limits, inability to quit, tolerance and withdrawal (Cabin, 2016) He cannot do without alcohol, cocaine, and gambling although these have negative impacts both on his health, finances, and work. This is evident through his long-term use of alcohol (20years), he still uses alcohol and cocaine despite having chronic gastritis, drinking beyond his limit and withdrawal when he is not drunk. Gambling addiction is evident when he “uses all he has and does not save some for the next weekend” meaning he cannot control his gambling habit. People who are addicted to gambling may experience distress, depression and anxiety problems CITATION Nor18 l 1033 (Nordqvist, 2018)Dependence is also characterized by tolerance and withdrawal disorder. This disorder occurs when the heavy drinker stops or cuts down his/her alcohol intake causing anxiety and confusion (Cabin, 2016). George already has withdrawal syndrome as he “gets nervous and jittery in the days after drinking”. Therefore, addiction and dependence are different but closely related.
References
BIBLIOGRAPHY Cabin, T. (2016, February 25). Alcohol Addiction vs. Alcohol Dependence. The Cabin. Retrieved October 08, 2018, from www.thecabinchiangmai.com
Cherry, K. (2018, February 12). What Is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)? Verywell mind. Retrieved October 08, 2018, from www.verywellmind.com
Nordqvist, C. (2018, June 19). What’s to Know about Gambling Addiction. MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved October 08, 2018, from www.medicalnewstoday.com