The Disease Model

The Disease Model

Introduction

The diesel model of addiction classifies alcoholism as a disease because it is a chronic biological and chemical issue that ends up as fatal if not treated.  The client is a 45-year old catholic Caucasian male from a broken family. He is divorced with two children who seem to be disconnected from him. The client’s circle consists of his father and brother, who are extreme alcohol abusers. The three live in the same city, a contributing factor to more reason for the client to drink as they meet more often than not. Despite his frequent drinking escapes, the client served in the military with an honorable discharge, which means that he delivered excellent services during his time.

Despite his alcohol addiction, alcohol consumption did not affect his performance. Alcohol addiction for the client is more of a genetic predisposition because of the influence of his immediate environment, his family, and friends. The client began his alcohol endeavors as a teenager due to an impact on his peers. I believe the habit became more persistent because he was accustomed to seeing people like his father comfortable with alcoholism. His broken family has further intensified the addiction due to the divorce. Divorces are linked with situational depression because people tend to adjust to a lonely life. The client stays alone because his older child is independent, and his younger child stays with his ex-wife.

Application of Disease Models

Addiction is a disease of the brain because it alters the typical structure and functioning of the brain. My client suffers from a condition of addiction because of his incapability to stop the consumption of alcohol despite its negative influence like the DUIs. Weil, Corrigan, and Karelina (2016) argue that addiction impairs a victim from making sound decisions despite them being aware of the consequences that may result.  Three years prior, my client underwent treatment after his first DUI conviction. Driving under the influence is regarded as a serious offense because of the lives put at risk by an individual. Three years later, my client is convicted with the second Dui that resulted in two severely injured casualties and a minor injury for him.  These convictions may ultimately render him subject to mandatory jail time, a bad reputation for him, and a negative impact on his family.

I would recommend my client undergo a residential treatment for alcohol addiction as a disease model treatment as well as undergoing therapy, which delves into his depression and meaningless life. The structure of residential treatment creates a sober environment that encourages long-term recovery for the client. According to his treatment history, outpatient care was ineffective for the client despite his ability to abstain for months, because he ultimately got convicted completely. A constricted environment will eliminate avenues that encourage the client to consume alcohol. My client is accustomed to drinking alcohol in almost all social settings, and his peers and family support and contribute to excessive alcohol consumption because they condone with it.

Despite providing a sober environment, residential treatment offers a safe community that is not judgmental because everyone has a problem they are trying to overcome. Furthermore, counseling will be complementary to the treatment as it will allow my client to heal from past and present trauma that deter him from seeing the good in life. Trauma hinders the normal functioning of the brain as individuals are unable to assess critical situations with utmost diligence (Volkow, Koob & McLellan, 2016). Once he comes to terms with his failures and biased decisions, he can move forward through overcoming his prior experiences.

Sociocultural Factors and the Disease Models

The medicalization of addiction rectifies the disease model by eliminating the cause of addiction. The introduction of drug treatments acts as components of detoxification as well as stabilizers that prevent delirium and seizures. According to Volkow, Koob, and McLellan (2016),  medicalization mocks the idea of addiction treatment because it builds up intoxification of different types of drugs intended to eliminate alcohol. The therapy tends to build up a reliance on drugs to attain sanity and soberness, thus acts as an ineffective mode of treatment for addiction. Sociocultural factors inclined to addiction are a stressor that discourages addicts from taking up reliable ways of treatment because they accustomed to failure and inability to attain long-term sobriety.

Drug addiction risk factors include genetic predisposition that creates an environment that inclines one towards abusing substances. Psychological factors like depression and stress lean individuals towards substance abuse as they tend to perceive drugs as stress relievers or sensation builders. Furthermore, individuals with anxiety and low self-esteem are susceptible to peer pressure as they are incapable of respecting and standing for their values (Weil, Corrigan & Karelina, 2016). They ultimately incept traits that are physically and emotionally disorienting. Overcoming addiction can be attained to surrounding oneself with an enabling environment like support groups that comprise of individuals undergoing similar challenges, ultimately creating workable solutions that are relatable. Addiction can be achieved through counseling as it attempts to delve into the roots and drivers of addiction. Through identifying and understanding the root problem, one can solve an issue at a time, ultimately eliminating any stressors.

References

Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.

Weil, Z. M., Corrigan, J. D., & Karelina, K. (2016). Alcohol abuse after traumatic brain injury: Experimental and clinical evidence. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 62, 89-99.