Drug and substance abuse is a challenge that almost all demographic groups grapple with. However, adolescents have been shown to be more vulnerable (Burrow-Sanchez, 2006). These individuals are at a phase in their development where they experiment. Additionally, they face pressure from their peers to adopt destructive behaviors. The mental health profession and other communities who work with adolescents need to understand their needs and development as they seek to assist and guide them (Burrow-Sanchez, 2006). The issue of substance abuse among adolescents is the focus of this paper. The paper considers the case of an adolescent who is suspected of being addicted to alcohol. Among other issues, the paper renders a diagnosis and discusses the information that is needed to accurately diagnose the adolescent.
DSM diagnosis
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) provides guidelines for diagnosing a wide range of medical conditions. Cannabis withdrawal is among these conditions. For one to be diagnosed with this condition, the DMS-IV stipulates that they must exhibit the following behaviors and symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013):
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Irritability
Depression and anger
Nervousness and anxiety
Difficulty finding sleep
Decrease in appetite and weight loss
Restlessness
Depressed mood
Such physical symptoms as sweating and headache.
The DSM-V offers additional guidelines that are intended to assist practitioners in their treatment of patients who are suffering from alcohol abuse disorder. However, the behaviors listed above are the basic criteria for diagnosing one with cannabis withdrawal.
Rationale
The adolescent in the case is ailing from cannabis withdrawal. This becomes evident when one compares his behavior to the diagnosis criteria for this disorder as set out in the DSM-V. The adolescent appears irritable. This is evidenced by his mockery of his mother. In response to his mother’s complaint that he does not eat anymore, the adolescent says “Eat your veggies, drink your milk” (Laureate Education, 2012). He appears upset and is rather disrespectful. These are clear indications of irritability. The other behavior that the adolescent exhibits is depression. His mother suggests that he could be depressed and the therapist asks him if it is indeed true that he is depressed. The mother adds that he did not pass his fifth grade exams and was forced to repeat the year (Laureate Education, 2012). She suspects that this is responsible for his depression. As stated in the discussion above, depression and irritability are some of the behaviors that one must exhibit for them to be diagnosed with cannabis withdrawal. Since the adolescent already exhibits these behaviors, he is a proper candidate for diagnosis with this condition.
Decrease in appetite and difficulty finding sleep are the other behaviors that those diagnosed with cannabis withdrawal demonstrate (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In the case, the adolescent’s mom complaints that he does not eat any more and that much of his time is spent on the computer and sending text messages. This complaint can be taken as indication that the adolescent has suffered a decrease in appetite and encounters difficulty when he tries to sleep. Added to the behaviors mentioned in the discussion above, the decreased appetite and difficulty finding sleep support the cannabis withdrawal diagnosis. The other element of the rationale for diagnosing the adolescent with cannabis withdrawal is the complaint that his mother raises about the company that he keeps. The mother laments that he is friends with people who are much older than him (Laureate Education, 2012). It can be argued that the mother fears that he is being influenced by his friends. This fear is valid. Many adolescents and young adults are introduced to such destructive behaviors by their peers.
Additional information needed for diagnosis
In addition to the behaviors of the adolescent, there is some other information that is needed for a thorough and accurate diagnosis. It is important to consider the ethnicity of the adolescent. It is understood that ethnicity is a risk factor for substance abuse (Escobar & Vega, 2006). Adolescents from poor neighborhoods and ethnic minorities are at a greater risk of consuming dangerous substances. The black community is among those whose members are vulnerable to substance abuse. Since the adolescent in the case happens to be black, the diagnosis provided above is accurate. Culture is another issue that is needed for diagnosis. Culture shapes the behavior of individuals and may expose them to the risk of substance abuse (Escobar & Vega, 2006). In the case, the adolescent’s mother mentions that she sought the help of her pastor. This is a cultural issue that may help to explain the behavior of the adolescent and aid in developing an accurate diagnosis. The mother seems rather spiritual and it could be that the pressure to lead a righteous life forced her son into substance abuse.
Additional individuals included in assessment
The assessment does not need to be limited to the adolescent in the case since there are other individuals who are involved in the case. It is important to consider the mother and the wider community in which the adolescent belongs. Among the factors that determine an adolescent’s risk of embracing substance abuse is their community (Burrow-Sanchez, 2006). Generally, a supportive community discourages drug and substance abuse. On the other hand, a community that is either absent or uninvolved in the lives of adolescents encourages substance abuse. The mother mentions that they do not have any alcohol or drugs in their house. This indicates that the adolescent has a supportive community. However, since the adolescent grapples with cannabis withdrawal, it is still important to investigate the family and the community.
In conclusion, the American society continues to grapple with the challenge of drug and substance abuse among adolescents and young adults. This challenge is causing individuals who would otherwise participate in nation building to waste away. The entire nation needs to join in the effort to tackle the challenge of drug and substance abuse. This effort should be led by the mental health profession whose members should begin by making correct diagnoses of various drug and substance related conditions and disorders.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Burrow-Sanchez, J. J. (2006). Understanding adolescent substance abuse: Prevalence, risk
Factors, and clinical implications. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84 (3), 283–290. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Escobar, J. I., & Vega, W. A. (2006). Cultural issues and psychiatric diagnosis: Providing a
General background for considering substance use diagnoses. Addiction, 101 (Suppl), 40–47. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases
Laureate Education. (Producer). (2012). Psychopathology: Substance-related and addictive
Disorders. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
