ne who is unable consistently to choose whether he shall drink or not, and if he drinks, is unable consistently to choose whether he shall stop or not. ‘Alcoholics with complications’ are those who have developed bodily or mental disorders through prolonged excessive drinking” (O’Brien & Chafetz, 1982, p.26). Further, Mark Keller of Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcoholism in March of 1960 stated that alcoholism is a “chronic disease manifested by repeat implicative drinking so as to cause injury to the drinkers health or to his social or economic functioning” (O’Brien & Chafetz, 1982, p.26). The American Medical Association in 1977 reported that alcoholism is an “illness characterized by significant impairment that is directly associated with persistent and excessive use of alcohol. Impairment may involve physiological, psychological or social dysfunction” (Maltzman, 2000, p.43). A final quote by Stanley E. Gitlow of Mount Sinai School of medicine suggests that “alcoholism is a disease characterized by the repetitive and compulsive indigestion of any sedative drug...in such a way as to cause interference in some aspects of the subjects life, be it in the area of interpersonal relationships, job, marriage, or physical health. It is absolutely critical to appreciate that this definition does not in any way specify which sedative agent is used, the frequency of its use, or the amount ingested” (O’Brien & Chafetz, 1982, p.26). Based on the above various quotations, it can be said that there is a wide opinion on the classification and the definition of alcoholism. The Patient: WG is an alcoholic or substance abuser according to the outlines set forth in the DSM-IV. WG is a 24 year old male and currently resides at his father’s dwellings in Red Deer, Alberta. As the result of numerous years of drinking to excess have forced this man into the situation that he now finds himself. WG does not currently have his driver’s license because he received an impaired ticket from the police late last year and lost his license for a year. WG has a casual job with his father’s company and works only when he needs money to purchase more alcohol. A typical day for WG starts at around ten o’clock in the morning when he wakes and then washes. He frequently feels sick from drinking and eats--at most--once a day. Within an hour or two of waking he typically makes his way to a local pub for a drink to help his hangover. He usually stays for five or six hours drinking and playing pool with his father or cousin. In the evening he generally goes to the local bars and continues drinking and playing pool. After the bar closes WG--more often than not--invites people back to his house to continue drinking. WG is not in a serious relationship and has not been for three years. He has many friends who visit him, but in the past he has alienated many friends because of his drinking. He puts off many plans for the future (i.e. college, steady employment) because the plans would interrupt his drinking. WG is unable to admit that his alcoholism has caused him many problems in the past and contributes to his present lifestyle. History of the Patient: WG was born December 19th 1976 in Red Deer, Alberta and he was the youngest child of a housewife and a construction worker. His mother was 25 at his birth and his father was 26. WG’s father was not involved in his life very much in his earlier years. WG’s father worked during the day and after work he would spend his evenings at a pub, and thus was not at home very much. WG has an older sister and was close to both his mother and sister while growing up. His mother also drank, but not to excess. His parent’s divorced when WG was ten and it was an amiable divorce. WG, his sister, and mother moved to a smaller town about twenty minutes away. WG and his sister still saw their father and were able to spend time him. Overall, WG had a good childhood and maintained a healthy relationship

Some topics in this essay:
O’Brien Chafetz, Abrams Niaura, Psychoanalytical Approach, Wynbrandt Ludman, Deer Alberta, Red Deer, Benson Wilsnack, Butcher Carson, Learning Theory, DSM-IV WG, chafetz 1982, o’brien chafetz, o’brien chafetz 1982, abrams niaura, abrams niaura 1987, niaura 1987, cox 1987, wynbrandt ludman 1991, ludman 1991, learning theory, bandura 1969, substance abuse, wynbrandt ludman, social learning theory, orally fixated adult,