Stan has a history of heavy drinking. His uncle and grandfather also drank heavi

Question

Stan has a history of heavy drinking. His uncle and grandfather also drank heavily, and his mother was

an “afternoon drinker” who usually was out of it by the time Stan got home from school. In high school

and college, Stan was a star baseball player. He spent one season playing AAA ball right after college but

washed out due to a shoulder injury. While he was playing baseball, Stan was friendly and outgoing,

always up for a party (and usually getting drunk). Although he hoped to become a sportscaster, he

ended up selling advertising for a radio station. At work, Stan has twice lost control of his drinking while

out to dinner with clients, and he’s in danger of losing his job. He blames these work problems on his

boss for giving him the most difficult clients. When not at work, Stan spends hours watching TV and

drinking. His girlfriend of three years and their child recently moved out; Stan accused her of sleeping

with another guy and refused to believe her denial. He alternates between seeing himself as a loser and

seeing the rest of the world as unfair. What multipath factors are causing and maintaining Stan’s

substance abuse?

Explanation / Answer

First, the family history of drinking itself is a causative and maintaing factor for substance abuse. Due to the family history a non negative attitude towards substance abuse might have developed which adds up to the condition. Apparent failure in life and especially non achievement on the ambition of being a sports star has bearing on the substance abuse. History of substances abuse, current failure in job and family problems are all contributing factors for maintaining substance abuse in Stan. His own feeling of being a looser and the World is not fair adds up to the factors .

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