Psych650 Wk 4 Discussion Recognizing Substance Use Disorders

Mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, often develop gradually and can be difficult to recognize in daily life. Stress, personal responsibilities, and social pressures may contribute to unhealthy coping strategies that impact relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. Individuals may not always view their behavior as problematic, even when others express concern. In this discussion, you will reflect on the symptoms of substance use and their impact on an individual’s life. Read the following scenario: Kassi is a 38-year-old White woman seeking substance use disorder treatment from a local mental health agency. Her primary reason for doing so is to demonstrate to her employer that she is taking appropriate steps to address an issue that has begun to affect her productivity at work. Kassi works more than 40 hours per week as an executive assistant and is a single parent to her 14-year-old daughter. Her job is demanding and often requires her to remain available during the evenings. This unpredictable schedule frequently keeps her away from home, causing her to miss important moments in her daughter’s life—such as sporting events, band concerts, and other extracurricular activities. Over time, this absence has strained their relationship. To manage her stress, Kassi has developed a habit of drinking whiskey in the evenings. What starts as a single drink after work sometimes escalates to three or more. In fact, her alcohol consumption has increased over time. As a result, she has been late to work on multiple occasions and has missed work entirely once or twice in the past six months due to nausea, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Her daughter has expressed concern about the drinking, pointing out that it has led to missed activities and that her friends are reluctant to visit when Kassi has been drinking. Despite these challenges, Kassi does not believe she has a problem with alcohol. Her decision to seek treatment is solely in response to her employer’s requirement, rather than a personal recognition of the need for help. Now, imagine Kassi is your close friend or family member. You have recently grown concerned about her well-being and believe she may have a serious issue. Write a text message or email to Kassi in which you discuss your concerns with her. Be sure to use a compassionate and nonjudgmental tone. Include the following details in your text message or email: • Based on Kassi’s reported behaviors and experiences, which specific criteria from the DSM-5-TR for alcohol use disorder do you believe she meets? Provide examples from the scenario to support your response. • What are your concerns for Kassi’s well-being (professionally, personally, and as a parent)? Provide rationale to support your response. Response Requirements • By Thursday, respond to the prompt above in a minimum of 175 words. Indicate the following in your response: • How did your classmate’s post demonstrate awareness of the complexity of Kassi’s roles (e.g., parent, employee). What specific language or tone helped convey compassion or empathy? • How did your classmate’s post enhance your understanding or prompt deeper thinking about how DSM-5-TR criteria are used to identify and support individuals with substance use disorders? • By Monday, post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to classmates or your faculty member.