Jerry's Case Study Summary

Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder for Jerry at age fifty-five to get diagnosis with substance uses disorder under alcohol. He must “displays a maladaptive pattern” that lead “to impairment” and “need to have two of the eleven symptoms with a one year period”. Some of the eleven symptoms that Jerry exhibits are as follow: consume a large amount over an extensive period, unsuccessful effort to reduce or control consumption, continue to consume alcohol with interpersonal problem, reduction of activity and interaction, continue to use despite of health issue, have tolerance effect, and withdrawal reaction.
Based on Jerry’s case and connecting to the DSM-5, he refuse to believe that he is an alcoholic because he consider

Through operant conditioning and classical conditioning model Jerry associated alcohol with reduce tension, bonding with his father, and acceptance. Jerry would drink daily for lunch and dinner became a habit in college after joining the fraternity. Jerry had a reputation for the ability to consume large amount of alcohol without being intoxicated and getting hangover. His reputation continues on after college into his acceptance in the Air force Officer Candidate School. Jerry gets positive reinforcement and social acceptances from his peers and colleague. Also it boosts his esteem that he received for binge drinking. That was all Jerry known for and that became part of his

As for behavioral therapies they used aversion therapy. Aversion therapy is uses to change individual association of alcohol through classical conditioning. For example, behaviorist would pair alcohol with an unpleasant stimuli to create a negative experience to decrease Jerry uses. In Biological treatment would help guide individual like Jerry to go through withdrawal to creating a safe level of alcohol that Jerry could consume. The goal for allowing some type of alcohol consume in hope to decrease the chance of Jerry to excessively consume alcohol. In withdraw period individual such as Jerry would go through a phase of detoxification where no alcohol will consume. This will alert the brain to start producing its own neurotransmitters rather than relying on alcohol. Lastly, Cognitive- Behavioral therapies would help guide Jerry to change his thought and behavior pattern to help prevent relapsing. Such as accepting and commitment therapy (ACT), plan ahead, keep record of consummation, and coping strategies to