CASE STUDY
Jeff (alcohol use disorder, mild/moderate)

Jeff is a 66-year-old Caucasian man whose wife has encouraged him to seek treatment. He has never been in therapy before, and has no history of depression or anxiety. However, his alcohol use has recently been getting in the way of his marriage, and interfering with his newly-retired life. He describes drinking increasing amounts over the last year, currently consuming approximately a six-pack of beer per day. He notes that this amount “doesn’t give me the same buzz as it used to.” He denies ever experiencing “the shakes” or any other withdrawal symptoms if he skips a day of drinking.

Jeff comments that his wife is his biggest motivation to decrease his alcohol use. She tells him that he gets argumentative and irritable when he drinks, though he does not always remember these incidents. He has also fallen while intoxicated twice, causing bruises both times and hitting his head on one of the occasions.