Question

Tyra drinks alcohol frequently. Her partner has expressed concerns about her drinking and they have been fighting about it to the extent that a break-up is imminent. Many of Tyra’s old friends have become distant because of her drinking, as has her family. Which aspect of substance use disorder is illustrated here?

Answer 1

Answer:

Social impairment.

Explanation:

In psychology, the DSM-V is the manual that helps diagnose different disorders.

In the case of substance use disorders, the DSM-V establishes a set of behaviors that need to be present to make the diagnosis:

1. Impaired control: Has to do with losing control of the use of the substance (by using more than intended, for more time than intended and by having cravings)
2. Social impairment: Using the substance despite the problems in social relationships it can cause (with partners, friends, job related problems)
3. Risky use: Using the substance in dangerous situations (while driving, operating machinery and therefore putting lives in risk)
4. Pharmacological indicators (tolerance and withdrawal): It's when the body adjusts to the substance, creating physical symptoms when the person tries to stop and requiring larger doses to get the desired effect.  

In this example, Tyra has problems with her partner, her friends and her family, we can see that her drinking habits are causing her problems in her relationships and therefore the aspect of substance use disorder that is illustrated in this example would be social impairment.