MADRAS SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

P.G. DEPARTMENT OFSOCIAL WORK (AIDED)

SEMESTER-I

SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS

TOPIC: CASE STUDY (ALCOHOLIC)

SUBMITTED BY

SUDEEP PETER THOMAS

Registration Number

2115772091048

Mail id: sudeepmswa21mssw.in

 CASE STUDY

INTRODUCTION:

A Case Study is a research method involving and up close induct and detailed
examination of a particular case. Social case work is the method employed by
social workers to help individuals find solutions to problems of social
adjustment that are difficult for individuals to navigate on their own. Social case
work is a primary approach and method of social work is concerned with the
adjustment and development of the individual and, in some instances, couples
towards more satisfying human relations. In social case work, the relationship
between caseworker and their client is one of support, focused on "enabling an
individual in solving a problem Through self-efforts."

The Student trainee selected the topic "Alcoholic" for the case study. The
caseworker contacted an Alcoholic. The study was made through Phone calls
and in-person meetings. The study was carried out in 4 sessions. Before getting
into the case study, let's discuss about Alcoholism in general.

ABOUT THE TOPIC:

Alcoholism is defined as any drinking of alcohol that causes serious mental or

physical issues. Alcoholism is not a diagnosable condition. Alcohol
consumption disorder is the most common diagnostic categorization. It's a long-
term illness characterised by excessive drinking and an obsession with alcohol.
Alcoholism is associated with failure to regulate one's drinking owing to a
physical and emotional addiction to the substance. Repeated alcohol drinking,
despite legal and health difficulties, is one of the symptoms. Those who suffer
from alcoholism may start their days with a drink, feel terrible about their
drinking, and want to cut down on their use.

The present study is concerned with those people suffering from alcoholism
who do not have the ability to limit the consumption of alcohol or quit the
consumption of alcohol. Alcohol has a lot of effects on an individual’s health,
some of them are increase blood pressure, irregular functioning of the heart,
stroke, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, improper digestion, increased
vulnerability/risks of getting tuberculosis and pneumonia.
SESSION 1:

The caseworker obtained the client as a reference from his parent, and the
parent assisted the caseworker in providing a brief explanation of the case study
to the client. It assisted the caseworker in establishing a trusting and healthy
relationship with the client. The case study eventually began with a phone call
because the client was out of town, and it was followed by in-person meetings.
The case worker presented himself to the client at the first session and began
talking about the client's personal, socioeconomic condition, and background.

Name of the client: Sunil

Age: 34

Educational Qualification: Till 8th standard

Address: Birthplace: Chennai

Currently living in Chennai.

Family Members:

S. No NAME RELATIONSHIP STATUS

1. Lakshmi Wife Home maker
2. Name not revealed Elder son 3rd standard
3. Name not revealed Younger son 1st standard
4. Name not revealed Father Auto driver
5. Name not revealed Mother Maid
6. Name not revealed Elder Sister Married
Client’s History:

Socio-economic Background:

Mr. Sunil, the client, was born into a lower middle-class family in Chennai's
Kodambakkam neighbourhood. Sunil's father used to be a security guard and is
now an auto driver, while his mother works as a maid. He has a married older
sister as well. He attended a government school at Choolaimedu for his
education. He attended school until the eighth grade, when he dropped out and
began working day jobs for daily wages. His parents were unconcerned about
his schooling and did not provide him with adequate guidance. Because his
father was also an alcoholic who used to mistreat him and his family, the client
had a lot of troubles and sufferings during his youth. After turning 18, the client
began working as an auto driver He then went on to work for a call driver
service company as a car driver. At the age of 25, the client married. The client's
parents and the client's wife's parents were both against the marriage because it
was a love marriage. The client and his wife had been separated from their
respective families and had begun to live alone. The client started out as a social
drinker. His drinking habits spiralled out of control at the age of 26, as a result
of the challenges he was enduring as a result of family troubles. The client was
dissatisfied with his life and began to consume alcohol every day. He could not
go a night without drinking alcohol. As a result of not going to work properly,
the family's financial situation worsened, and his wife was forced to work as a
maid in the neighbourhood. The client and his friends got into a dispute while
intoxicated, which resulted in a three-month prison sentence and
unemployment. As a result, the client drank more alcohol than usual. Due to his
alcoholic troubles, the client was accepted by his family and is now living with
them, attempting but failing to refrain himself from consuming alcohol.
SESSION 2:

Problem of the Client:

The client has an alcohol addiction as well as a smoking problem. Due to

his unemployment, the client is unable to provide for his children's education.
Because he is an alcoholic and an ex-convict, no one wants to hire him. Because
of his alcoholism, the client sometimes insults his wife. The client wants to get
recovered and avoid drinking alcohol, but he is finding it extremely difficult to
refrain from doing so. In addition, the client has a low self-esteem. The client is
also experiencing high levels of stress. Furthermore, the client is avoiding from
connecting with others. It was initially tough to establish a case worker-client
relationship due to his attitude.

Reasons/Causes:

The case worker investigated the cause of the client's alcoholism. The case
worker interacted with the client in depth to determine the root of the problem,
beginning with his early experiences and progressing to his current
circumstances. His early trauma of being abused by his father, family troubles
after marriage, and unemployment were the key reasons/causes for the client's
alcohol addiction. The client's status as an ex-convict makes it much more
difficult for him to get work, and society is unwilling to help him. The client has
a strained relationship with his family and social environment, and he is
frequently stressed. Even his own children are terrified of him and the client is
unable to communicate with them because of this.
SESSION 3:

Interventions:

The case worker discovered the client's issues and offered some solutions. The
case worker also provided a list of symptoms that can be used to identify
someone who is addicted to alcohol. The following is a list of symptoms. They
are, indeed.

 Being unable to control alcohol consumption.

 Wanting to reduce alcohol consumption but failing to do so

 Spending a significant amount of time drinking, obtaining alcohol.

 Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.

 Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to

repeated alcohol use.

 Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical,
social or interpersonal problems.

 Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies just to drink
alcohol.

 Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving.

The client acknowledged that he had experienced more than four of the
symptoms listed above. The customer is additionally angry about his illness
because it has an impact on those around him.
Treatments:

The case worker's main goal is to assist the client in dealing with his or her
suffering and in assisting the client in helping themselves. The case worker
indicated to the client that he will only be able to receive the necessary
treatment if he is interactive. The customer first refused to cooperate, but
towards the end of the sessions, the client was fully cooperating. The case
worker offered the client several options for avoiding alcoholism. Some of
the methods are as follows:

 The case worker referred the client to a doctor to evaluate the health of
the client.
 The case worker openly spoke to the client and listened to his problems.
 The case worker made the client to interact with a person who has
overcome alcohol addiction.
 The case worker referred the client to a counsellor.

Awareness:

The case worker also informed the client about major health issues caused by
alcohol addiction, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, stroke, liver
cirrhosis, kidney failure, improper digestion, increased vulnerability/risks of
tuberculosis and pneumonia, and how it can shorten one's lifespan. The client
was also driven by the case worker's stories about people who had conquered
alcoholism and were living a happy life. Because the client was not well-
educated, study-related terms were avoided, and the case worker engaged the
client in a regular and participatory dialogue.
SESSION 4:

Evaluation:

In the final session the case worker provided suggestions to the client’s
problems.

 The case worker evaluated the problems and gave some interventions and
treatments to the client.
 The case worker suggested various solutions to the client to overcome his
problem of de-addiction.
 The case worker asked the client to distract himself and spend more time
with his family to avoid consuming alcohol.
 The case worker suggested the client a medicine which helps the client to
avoid consuming alcohol.
 The case worker also recommended the client to a known person for a
driver job.
 The trainee gave both positive and negative comments so that the client
could improve himself.
 The caseworker advised the client to not associate with people who
influence alcohol consumption.
 The case worker told the client to not think about the past and worry
about it but to focus on the present so that his future could be better.
 The case worker suggested the client to undergo detoxification
programme at a de-addiction centre.
 The case worker also suggested some medicines that helped to control
alcohol consumption.
 The case worker explained to the client that alcohol addiction is curable
and he can do well in life.
  The case worker explained to the client that he has a family who needs
him and is dependent on him.
 The case worker also appreciated the client for his improvements in
opening up and interacting compared to the first session.
 The case worker is still in touch with the client to check on his
improvement.

Learnings:

 The case worker learned how to formally and professionally interact with
a client.
 The case worker learned that patience and listening are very important in
a case work.
 The case worker was able to understand the problems of the client and
provide professional solutions to those problems.
 The first session was carried out in a phone conversation whereas the
other three sessions were carried out in a face-face interaction.
 The caseworker conducted and completed the study in an organised
manner.

Conclusion:

The student trainee had the opportunity to undertake a case study on the topic of
his wish. The student trainee chose the topic Alcoholic. The study was carried
out in 4 sessions both through the phone and in-person meetings. The student
trainee was able to learn a lot of new things and the skills that a social worker
requires to complete a case work. The student trainee was able to analyse the
problems of the client and provide valid and professional solutions to the client.