Do you think Greg has an addiction to alcohol?
Introductory Case Study: Greg’s Alcohol Addiction
Introductory Case Study: Greg’s Alcohol Addiction Greg is a 47-year-old construction worker and divorced father of two high school–aged children (whom he rarely sees). Greg enjoys his job and has an exemplary work record; in fact, he was recently awarded Employee of the Month. Greg’s coworkers do not know a lot about him due to the fact that he is a private person and keeps to himself. But he joins them one or two nights a week for happy hour after work.
What Greg’s coworkers don’t know about him is that he had a rough childhood, which has led to him being very private and a loner. Greg’s parents were heavy drinkers while he was growing up, which led to Greg having very few friends and not performing well in school. Greg’s school troubles continued when he went to college, and he was not able to obtain a degree.
Greg found employment, married, and became a father, so it appeared that things were going well for him. Greg, though, has a secret—he is a heavy drinker himself. He enjoys going home after work and having a couple of beers, but a couple turned into 6 to 12 per night. This alcohol dependence eventually led his wife to seek a divorce.
Greg continued his alcohol dependence after his wife left him. He would become upset if there was not enough beer in the refrigerator, and he would go out and purchase more. In fact, one night he went out to purchase more and, when he got to the convenience store, realized he forgot his wallet. Instead of going home to retrieve his wallet, Greg chose to steal a six-pack of beer. He was caught attempting to leave the store without purchasing the beer. But the owner declined to press charges against Greg since he was a regular customer and the owner feared he might lose Greg’s business.
Greg started a dating a woman he met at a bar 18 months ago. She describes Greg as a warm and caring man but notes that he can act moody and cold toward other people on occasion. But she also states that she believes Greg suffers from some depression, due to not having a relation- ship with his children (which he will not discuss). She states that she has noticed throughout their relationship that Greg becomes restless and has trouble sleeping if he does not drink at least three or four beers after work. She states that she really cares for Greg and has considered asking him to slow down on his drinking or quit altogether but fears the repercussions of this request.
As you read this chapter, consider the following questions regarding this case:
1. Do you think Greg has an addiction to alcohol? 2. Are other people affected by his alcohol use? 3. Where did Greg get his opinions about drinking? 4. Do you think there is an underlying psychological disorder or genetic vulnerability
that is influencing Greg’s drinking? 5. Is Greg’s current attitude about alcohol use reasonable? 6. Do you think Greg is at risk for future criminal behavior?
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