Psychology case study assignment | Psychology homework help

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Week 7 Case Study
The Case of Brian

Brian is a 35-year-old African American male who was mandated to treatment by his employer
after failing a drug test at work. Brian is a machinist at a local manufacturer. His work involves
maintaining complex machinery and training new employees. During a routine drug screen, he
tested positive for alcohol prior to the start of his shift.

Brian works a swing shift schedule. On the day of the failed drug screen, he was working third
shift, clocking in at midnight. He insists he simply “had a couple of beers with dinner” that night,
but the results of his screen show his blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit. Not
only did he show up to work intoxicated, but he also drove to work in that condition. His
employer chose to mandate treatment instead of calling the police to report him.

Brian sits with his arms crossed over his chest for most of the assessment session. His
responses to your questions are short and curt. He insists that “this whole thing is a
misunderstanding,” but he agreed to the treatment mandate, as he aspires to a management
position in the company. He denies any other drug use and says this is his first time in treatment
for alcohol. However, when you look up his records in the agency’s system, you see that this is
his third time being seen by a counselor. The first was when he was in high school and tested
positive for marijuana prior football season when he played on the team. The second was when
Brian was in his mid-20s and was pulled over for a DUI and tested above the legal limit for
alcohol use.

Brian comes from a working-class family, the middle of three children. His father worked for a
local manufacturer on an assembly line, and his mother ran an in-home daycare. His parents
“worked hard, but we never had very much. They really pushed us to get an education and be
successful.” Brian completed an associate degree at the local community college. His older
sister attended a 4-year college and works as a middle school teacher. His younger sister is a
nurse. Brian was married for a few years in his 20s, but “it didn’t work out.” He declines to say
more about his divorce. He has no children. He describes himself as a “lapsed Christian.” He
attends church on holidays with his parents, siblings, and their families but does not go on his
own. “I’d rather sleep in on Sunday mornings. I work hard all week and I don’t need a preacher
telling me how to live my life,” he reports.

When asked about his alcohol use, Brian rolls his eyes and sighs, “I don’t know. I just drink
when I want to. To relax. For fun. What do you need to know?” You ask about specific amounts,
and he says, “A few beers sometimes.” When pressed further, Brian states he typically had
three to four (3–4) beers per night with dinner, maybe a few more on weekends. About once or
twice a week, he meets his buddies at a bar, and they might have a few liquor drinks, as well.
Again, he asserts he does not use drugs, though “sometimes I might take a hit of weed if
someone’s offering it.” Due to the strenuous nature of his job, he says he takes pain pills but
“can’t remember the name of them right now.” He is also unsure of the dosage. He smokes
cigarettes occasionally when he drinks.

He does not report any legal concerns or financial concerns, although he states he would like to
make more money, and that’s why he wants to become a manager at work. He rents a two-
bedroom apartment in a local complex and owns his car. He hopes to buy a house in the next
few years. He identifies as heterosexual and reports that he is not currently in a long-term
romantic relationship, although he states he dates sometimes and “wouldn’t mind” getting
married someday. He states that he exercises occasionally, mostly playing team sports with

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friends, and considers himself in good health. He does occasionally experience hangovers, as a
result of his drinking, but no other significant health consequences are noted.