6905: Anxiety and Substance Abuse Disorders

Anxiety and Substance Abuse Disorders

Name
Course
Instructor
Date

6905: Anxiety and Substance Abuse Disorders

Case One: Mr. Y.

Mr. Y is likely to be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is normal for
individuals to experience sessions of anxiety every once in a while. However, severe cases of
anxiety can interfere with a persons well-being and ability to function. Mr. Y has generalized
anxiety disorder i.e. an anxiety disorder that makes a person constantly worry about his life. Mr.
Y presents the classic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder as he gets worried about going
bankrupt and being unable to provide for his family. In fact, Mr. Y considers himself a worrier; a
factor that has affected his ability to concentrate at the workplace (American Psychiatric
Association, 2014). Mr. Y. Fits the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder as provided in the
DSM-5 criteria. Mr. Y. is unable to control his nervousness and tension and he has become
irritable and yells to everyone including his daughter.
Mr. Ys condition has worsened over the last 6-8 months to the extent that he is unable to
sleep until about 2-3 in the morning. The symptoms Mr. Y manifest fits the diagnosis of
generalized anxiety disorder. Mr. Y also points out that he is an occasional drinker thus the
elimination of substance abuse as a contributor to his symptoms. It is likely that Mr. Y developed
generalized anxiety disorder progressively since he was a child. He has always felt the pressure
to excel as exemplary as his father and grandfather. He thus lived with the constant fear of not
living up to the legacy his father and grandfather created. Unfortunately, the fear of failure
resulted in anxiety and tension to the extent that his normal life is affected. Mr. Y. can be assisted
through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to encourage the development of positive thoughts
(American Psychiatric Association, 2014).

6905: Anxiety and Substance Abuse Disorders

Case Two: Alcohol Use Disorder

According to DSM-5 criteria, Nancy is suffering from the alcohol use disorder. An
individual struggling with alcohol use disorder consumers large amounts of alcohol whose
quantity increase over time. In most instances, the person takes more alcohol that he had
intended. The person also demonstrates unsuccessful efforts of cutting down or stopping alcohol
use. Similarly, the person spends a significant amount of time trying to access alcohol, use
alcohol or recover from the effects of alcohol. Lastly, the person demonstrates a strong urge to
consume alcohol.
Nancy began drinking from her 20s and increased the quantity of alcohol consumption
over time (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2014). She has attempted to stop
drinking without success as joined a rehabilitation center, as well as alcohol anonymous program
without success. She relies on alcohol, to sleep as well as escape the realities of her life i.e. her
broken marriage. According to DSM-5 criteria, Nancy has a severe alcohol use disorder as the
alcohol appears to control her life. Nancy began shaking when she doesnt take alcohol and thus
consumes the substance to control her shaking.
She appears aware of the adverse effects of alcohol consumption thus her fruitless
attempts at rehabilitations. Unfortunately, her abrupt abstinence from alcohol resulted in a
seizure. It is evident that Nancy needs help with her alcohol use problem since she is severely
addicted. The drug acamprosate can cause anxiety and depression as side effects. Unfortunately,
the symptoms may have pushed Nancy to consume more alcohol as a strategy of escaping the
negative feelings of anxiety and depression.

6905: Anxiety and Substance Abuse Disorders

References
American Psychiatric Association (2014). DSM-5 implementation and support. Retrieved from
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2014): Alcohol use disorder: a comparison
between DSm-4 and DSm-5. Retrieved from
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/dsmfactsheet/dsmfact.pdf