Case Study
Patient Demographic: Name: Robin Clinical Issues: Substance use/addiction issues Diagnostic Category: Substance Use Disorders Provisional Diagnosis: F10.20 Alcohol Use Disorder, Moderate Age: 28 Sex Assigned at Birth: Female Gender and Sexual Orientation: Female, Heterosexual Ethnicity: Black Marital Status: Not Married Modality: Individual Therapy Location of Therapy : Private Practice  
Mental Status Exam: The client is well-groomed. She reports her mood as depressed due to her relationship breakup and feeling that she is unable to talk to family members about her life. Her affect is characterized by anxiousness and difficulties in answering questions. Her overall speech is slow and soft, with little eye contact as she speaks. The client's insight is fair. She recognizes that alcohol has been a major factor in her life, and she is aware of the negative effects it has had on her relationships and work performance. She states that she is at a point where she feels like she needs help to make changes in her life. Though she presents as sober at the time of the interview, her judgment appears impaired due to her continued heavy drinking despite the negative consequences.
Presenting Problem: First session You are a clinical mental health counselor at a community mental health center. You see many clients who struggle with substance use issues. A 28-year-old female presents for outpatient services today. She is an attorney who works long hours, specializing in family law. She and her boyfriend of ten years recently ended their relationship due to the client's excessive drinking. She says, "I can't live with the pain of our separation much longer, and I don't know how to cope with it." She tells you she is devastated and does not know what to do next. The breakup has triggered her to drink even more lately, and she is currently facing a DUI charge. Her attorney recommended that she seek an assessment for substance use disorder treatment in an effort to avoid a criminal conviction.    You administer an assessment to determine the severity of the client's alcohol use and further evaluate her statement about being unable to live with the pain of her breakup. She reports an urge to drink daily, and acknowledges she has lost control of her drinking on many occasions. She also states that she has increased her alcohol intake because "it helps numb the pain and I can forget about everything for a little while." The client discusses her father's death when she was 17 and how this affected her life. She states that his death hit her hard, and only made matters worse because of her family's lack of emotional support in the wake of his passing. Even though she was still in High School, she began drinking heavily to cope with the grief, a pattern which has been present ever since. She drinks alone, typically at home or in bars after work. When asked about the effects of alcohol on other areas of her life like her finances, she says, "One of the perks of my job is that I get paid pretty well, so at least I'm not in debt like my brother." She pauses for a moment, then says, "Well, not yet anyway. I've got some court costs coming up."    You explain to the client that substance use disorder is treatable and that it is important to take an honest look at her relationship with alcohol, in order to make positive changes to her lifestyle. You discuss the effects of excessive drinking on physical health, mental health, and personal relationships. You review the various options for treatment available and encourage her to be proactive in seeking help. The client acknowledges your advice but expresses hesitancy about beginning treatment due to fear of the stigma associated with addiction. You empathize with her feelings while emphasizing the importance of taking action now rather than waiting until her issues become worse. You present evidence-based treatment modalities that have been shown effective in managing substance use disorders. You let the client know you are here for her to help develop healthy coping skills, explore the underlying causes of her drinking, and create a plan to avoid future drinking and driving offenses. Then, you both discuss a treatment plan with the goal of helping the client resolve her current crisis and developing a strategy to maintain sobriety and avoid future legal issues. She provides you with releases to speak with her mother and her attorney. You set up a follow-up appointment one week from now.
Other Contexts: The client has a younger brother. Her father died when she was 17, and her mother never remarried. The client's family has a history of problematic alcohol use, with family members utilizing alcohol to mask underlying emotions and distress. This pattern can be seen in her mother and brother, as well as extended family. Her mother is particularly reliant on alcohol and uses it as a way to cope with negative feelings. This has been an ongoing issue for many years. The client was raised in an environment where emotions were not discussed openly. The client expresses she learned early that it was best not to bring attention to any discomfort or upset she may have felt because it would only be met with more criticism and judgments. She states, "My mother and brother 'don't believe in depression.' When I told my mom that my boyfriend broke up with me and I was feeling depressed, she told me to that I needed to 'get over it and move on.' It's like I'm talking to a wall when I try to tell her anything about how I'm feeling." Although the client does not feel that her family understands her problems, she does communicate with her mother weekly.  The client has been using alcohol as a way to cope with stress for many years. She expresses she has "been through a lot" in her life and that going to bars after work is an escape. Alcohol has maintained a significant presence during various phases of her life.

Question: The client seems to be forthcoming in relation to the frequency and severity of her use of alcohol, but she maintains a reticence in coming to terms with the overall effect of her alcohol use on her life. As part of the initial intake process, which question will help you further evaluate the client’s level of functioning?
(A): "Has your drinking caused you to overlook any obligations at work?"
(B): "What support do you have now that you and your boyfriend are separated?"
(C): "What is your current living situation?"
(D): "Did your episode of driving intoxicated cause harm to anyone?"

Correct Answer: "Has your drinking caused you to overlook any obligations at work?"
Explanation: Asking whether the client's drinking has affected her ability to fulfill responsibilities at her job will help you assess her level of functioning. Therefore, the correct answer is (C)
Competency: intake, assessment, and diagnosis