Using marijuana - Case Study Example

Continued use of marijuana is harmful to her health. I also prioritized marijuana smoking because her parents are against it compared to alcohol which her parents introduced to her. Drinking has been given the second priority because apparently is becoming a burden for her. Although her family incorporates wine in meals, she has gone further ahead to drink more and even drive and this has nearly cost her life. Her drinking habits are becoming problematic to her and her family as she just got arrested for driving while drunk.

This is of concern to parents as they are worried about her safety. Her performance in school is the third priority as I identified. Of all the problems she is experiencing, this is the only one that she is positive about. She desires to be an attorney and so she is concerned that her behavior is affecting her performance. This issue is third because it is course by the first two factors. Disobedience to her parents was ranked fourth because it is a lesser serious problem with regard to the above issues.

She occasionally lied to her parents because she feels that what she is doing is right. She did not want to go for professional help six months ago as asked for by her parents. This is affecting her relationship with the parents. Depression and anxiety are lesser serious problems hence ranked 2nd last. This is because these occur less often and they have a minimal effect on her at the present. Smoking is the least of her problems for now because it is not affecting her life in the present but may have long term effects like addiction and cancer.

The most important issues in this case are alcohol and marijuana abuse. These are important because Merci is landing in problems due to using the two. For instance, she has been arrested for driving while drunk and this has since soured her relationship with parents. Disobedience to her parents was as a result of smoking marijuana. Dropping her class performance is due to her cutting of classes and sleeping in class which is attributed to smoking marijuana. After treatment, she is expected to have stopped smoking marijuana and reduced her intake of wine.

Treatment of the first two issues identifies will eliminate most of the other issues identifies like disobedience and failure in class work. Therefore, my priority of the key issues has identified the crucial area to be addressed first hence the outcome will be achieved at a faster rate. 2. Diagnostic Impression Substance disorders Dependence disorder: Dependence is state comprising of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological characteristics which implies continued substance abuse irrespective of the problems arising for the substance abuse.

It is a pattern of recurring use lasting at smallest 12 months that can lead to tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking demeanor. From the case study, has a substance dependence disorder because she has continued drinking and smoking despite the fact that she is failing in class and causing road accidents after use. She is also experiencing tolerance. Tolerance is the need for substantially increased amounts of a drug to make a desired effect or a substantially diminished effect with constant use of the same amount of the drug.

She does not see the need to cut down her use of marijuana. Dependence is also observed in her social time which she spends drinking and smoking marijuana. Cannabis induced disorder: Merci smokes marijuana which is classified under cannabis. The drug usually peaks in intoxication