PLEASE AGREE OR DISAGREE TO ALLISON'S DISCUSSION POST

Based on the information provided, identify at least one biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural factor that may have contributed to Michelle's current substance use.

A biological reason to keep drinking is when your brain has a reward system, Michelle only feels comfortable to make friends when she drinks she gets rewarded with friends. A psychological reason for substance abuse is that Michelle was never allowed to drink or smoke when she was growing up so she feels like now is her only time to engage in these activities. One sociocultural factor is Michelle's friends; she feels like she will have nothing to connect with them if she does not go out and drink.

After having learned about the signs and symptoms of substance use disorders, do you believe Michelle has a substance use disorder? Explain why or why not.

I do believe that Michelle has a substance disorder because along with affecting her relationship with school, it is also affecting her mentally and affecting her relationship with her family.

PLEASE AGREE OR DISAGREE TO GRACE DISCUSSION POST

Biological, psychological, social, and sociocultural factors all influence the likelihood that a substance use disorder will be developed. A biological factor that may have influenced Michelle's current substance use is the brain reward system. Michelle feels good when she consumes alcohol and so her brain feels as though she is being "rewarded" which can also explain her difficulties in giving up alcohol. A psychological factor might be that Michelle has more freedom at college than she did living at home and wants to experience new things. Without her parent's rules, Michelle is free to almost anything she wants without immediate consequences. The social factor that is likely driving Michelle's alcohol use is the desire to fit in at college. Moving to a new place means new social interactions and the opportunity to meet new people which also might mean participating in new activities in order to fit in. Lastly, a sociocultural factor is the pressure to party and drink while living on a college campus and being around other students that drink often.

I would say that Michelle does have a substance use disorder because she does display three of the symptoms that are needed for a diagnosis which are decreased participation in school activities, increased time spent obtaining or consuming alcohol, and impairment in relationships (Alexis Bridley and Lee W. Daffin Jr., 2018). Michelle's performance in school has decreased, she often misses class because she feels hungover or would rather go to a local bar, and she has become disconnected from her friends and family at home. Michelle also admitted that she feels as though she has a problem with using alcohol but feels pressured to drink in order to have something in common with other students.