Introduction
Unfortunately, there are a lot of individuals worldwide who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances. Over the last 200 years, this issue has remained one of the most frequent causes of mortality. People around them on a daily basis, including their families, friends, coworkers, and other acquaintances, are constantly at odds with those who suffer from the aforementioned addictions. Alcoholism and drug addiction must be treated as soon as possible because someone who is inebriated might do great damage to others. The narrative of the Robert Zemeckis film “Flight” provides a compelling illustration of this addiction and raises relevant questions. The story’s main character was dependent on both cocaine and alcoholic beverages. The purpose of the following article is to build an addiction evaluation and intervention plan utilizing the case of the pilot from the “Flight” image to illustrate the potential effects of drinking on a person’s life.
Biopsychosocial Model
This section’s background will go through the client’s biopsychosocial model (the pilot from the “Flight” movie). To begin the debate, it would be appropriate to state that the movie’s main storyline was about a divorced alcoholic who was able to stop the mass murder on the plane he was flying (Zemeckis, 2012). Due to specific technical problems with its regulating systems, the aircraft crashed. However, four passengers and two flight attendants on board had horrific experiences. The CIA employees had the legal authority to imprison the main character after the investigation into the case revealed the airman’s dependence on cocaine and alcohol.
Biological Predispositions
The main character’s biography was not extensively discussed in the aforementioned movie, but it is known that Whip Whitaker (the pilot’s name) was divorced and had no contact with his only son because the boy was upset with his father for acting inappropriately and leading a lifestyle unfit for a mature man (Zemeckis, 2012). Mister Whitaker’s principal biological predisposition is his alcoholism, which he is unable to manage for a sustained length of time. Throughout the events after the disaster, he made many attempts to stop drinking. Every effort, however, failed until the pilot was imprisoned and denied access to alcoholic beverages (Zemeckis, 2012). Whip Whitaker seems to be preoccupied with thoughts of the family he abandoned and the fatalities of those for whom he has a legal responsibility in the United States. Due to his inability to find another way out of his sadness, all these tensions caused the main character to become systematically and permanently intoxicated.
Family Influences
Mister Whitaker did not have contact with his ex-wife or kid, as was previously described before. Instead, he had a casual connection with the coworker who perished while the wrecked jet was making an emergency landing. Perhaps the pilot’s psychological condition was harmed by Katerina Marquez’s death. The fate of Whip Whitaker’s new girlfriend, who was grateful to him for protecting her from another guy and providing the drug addict with a place to stay, is another issue (Zemeckis, 2012). She, however, could not take his obstinacy and alcoholism. She then made the decision to leave the pilot’s home in order to stop this connection. It would be appropriate to conclude that Whitaker’s family significantly influenced the main character’s mental condition and overall worldview.
Cultural Considerations
Since Whip Whitaker is an ordinary American citizen without any particular history, there aren’t many cultural variables that are crucial to take into account in this situation. Since he was young, he had had an interest in flying and learned to do so (Zemeckis, 2012). The main character in “Flight” does not identify with any one religious group or ethnic community.
Nervous System
In Mister Whitaker’s life, the neurological system was crucial. The pilot sometimes struggled to control his emotions and became overly emotional as a consequence. He seemed to be concerned about the prospective repercussions of the jet disaster that was still within his control (Zemeckis, 2012). The pilot may have craved spirit beverages every day due to stress and persistent despair. The main character lacked the willpower to quit drinking. Additionally, he needed cocaine to stay awake on the days of the travel and the deposition.
Assessment Tools and Selection Rationale
Because the pilot often tells falsehoods and provides ambiguous information regarding his drunkenness, it would be helpful to employ numerous addiction diagnostic methods in the instance of Mister Whitaker. Since this information is private and is only meant to be used for the person’s medical history and intervention, the CAGE Questionnaire would be useful in identifying the patient’s issue (Kennedy & Gregoire, 2009). The interview’s series of questions asks the patient how many times they have tried to stop using drugs or alcohol. This exam also looks at the patient’s emotional condition. People often make an effort to respond honestly since their addictions are almost usually linked to more serious psychological issues. His response would highlight the most important issue that has to be dealt with during the intervention since Mister Whitaker’s drinking is a result of his problematic connections with the family he left behind.
To assess the severity of a client’s addiction issue, the TWEAK (Tolerance, Worried, Eye-opener, Amnesia, Cut down) test might be helpful. The assessment tool’s questions are designed to provide a numerical scale reflecting a patient’s awareness of and preparedness to address the issue (Kennedy & Gregoire, 2009). The exam will also reveal how well a person comprehends and assesses others’ worries about their alcohol or drug abuse. This assessment is essential for creating effective treatment and intervention strategies in the instance of Whip Whitaker because it could help him see how his chronic drinking impacts his coworkers, family, and friends. It would be accurate to say that a person has to be aware of all the problems they are creating for other people. This strategy is the most efficient way to deal with and resolve the psychological issue that the main character of the movie “Flight” is experiencing.
As was already established, Whip Whitaker used cocaine to get over hangovers and stay awake. The Drug Abuse Questionnaire must thus be administered to the patient. This evaluation instrument will provide all pertinent details on the pilot’s substance abuse (Kennedy & Gregoire, 2009). An interviewee must respond to inquiries concerning drug-related costs and how often they utilize synthetic drugs. The purpose of this questionnaire is to ascertain whether or not a patient’s condition outweighs his or her own values. This evaluation technique also reveals a person’s initial drug usage as well as how long they have been dependent on cocaine, heroin, and other drugs that have an impact on the brain.
Provisional Diagnosis with Criteria
Mister Whitaker’s preliminary diagnosis is Alcohol Use Disorder based on his symptoms and conduct, which are similar to those of the lead character in the movie “Flight.” Prior to and after the aforementioned aviation disaster, the individual was intoxicated for a month. Even if there are still insufficient studies and pieces of data to provide an accurate diagnosis, there are several criteria that might lead to such a result. The pilot made many attempts to stop drinking (Kennedy & Gregoire, 2009). He lacked the will to abstain from drinking while there was alcohol available, however. The patient also spent a lot of time-consuming spirits and recovering from several hangovers. Alcoholism harmed Whip Whitaker’s friendships, career, and familial ties (Zemeckis, 2012). Despite being aware of the many problems high drinks bring about in his life, he persisted in abusing them excessively. The above-mentioned criteria demonstrate that the diagnosis of AUD is accurate. No other factors or rule-outs are mentioned.
Therapeutic Approach with Rationale
It would be accurate to say that throughout the right course of therapy, alcohol use must be limited for those with alcohol use disorder. If not, they could lack the willpower to resist another urge to drink (Gubi & Marsden-Hughes, 2013). A qualified therapist who is meant to provide the following helpful medications should oversee the rehabilitation period:
Naltrexone. This medication helps individuals who are dependent on alcohol because it inhibits brain cells that provide euphoria while drinking alcoholic beverages (Gubi & Marsden-Hughes, 2013). As a result, drinking never makes a person feel satisfied.
Disulfiram. The proposed medicine has negative side effects for alcohol drinkers. Sometimes, symptoms like flushed skin or nausea might cause uncomfortable situations (Gubi & Marsden-Hughes, 2013). As a result, many who use this medication tend to stay away from beverages that have a specific amount of alcohol in them.
Acamprosate. This pharmaceutical substance lessens the urge to drink. It is often used on patients who desire to quit drinking alcohol but are constantly driven to open another bottle.
Initial Treatment Goals for Client
The patient should be engaged in the therapeutic process. It may not work in such cases. Setting treatment objectives for an alcoholic is crucial. The majority of alcohol-dependent individuals struggle with issues like sadness or regrettable wrongdoings; thus, medical professionals must strive to provide psychological assistance to a patient (Davies, Elison, Ward, & Laudet, 2015). Another first objective is to comprehend a person’s concerns and enable that person to recognize that alcohol cannot be used to remedy those problems.