Q CHEM 2130 M7A1. Case Study and Reflection Complete individually. Submit to the M7A1 Submission Folder Associated Learning Outcomes The purpose of this assignment is for you to show your knowledge related to the following objectives: MLO 7.1 Identify the symptoms and most common pharmaceutical treatments for psychological disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.) (CLO 2) MLO 7.2 Compare the mechanisms of action of substances of abuse and treatments for psychological disorders. (CLO 2) MLO 7.3 Relate the biological, psychological, and social factors that underlie the development of psychological disorders to those that influence substance abuse. (CLO 4) Introduction. Drug and alcohol use is high among people with mood disorders or anxiety disorders. In this assignment, you will use a case study to investigate the interrelated nature of substance use and psychological disorders. There is a correlation between the occurrence of substance use and psychological disorders; the relationship is not causal. Rather mental health illnesses and substance abuse are interrelated and commonly co-occur (called dual diagnosis or comorbidity). Assignment. There are two questions, or parts, of this assignment. The first is a case study, and the second is a reflection. 1. Answer the following questions about this case study. Jill is a 34 year-old female in outpatient treatment. She is seeing a substance abuse and mental health counselor. She has been drinking 5 days a week, at least a bottle of wine a night. She is struggling to stay sober. Additionally, Jill has been diagnosed with moderate major depressive disorder and has been prescribed 50 mg of setraline (Zoloft) daily. However, she does not take her medication on days she drinks. a. Which neurotransmitter(s) does alcohol affect, and how does it modify the signaling of these neurotransmitters? Summarize the mechanism of action of alcohol. (2-3 sentences) Note: In our text, there is a small paragraph about serotonin’s role in reinforcing effects of alcohol. It states, “Those with low serotonin activity are likely to drink more alcohol” (Rosenthal, p. 300). b. Which neurotransmitter(s) does the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft), and how does it modify the signaling of the neurotransmitter(s)? Summarize its mechanism of action. (2-3 sentences) c. Compare and contrast the effects of alcohol on mood and cognitive function with the symptoms of depression. How are they related – or not? (1-2 small paragraphs) Identify and explain at least 2 ways in which alcohol use, depression, or antidepressants are overlapping or interconnected. Is there biological explanation for the interconnectivity or alcohol use and depression? (1 paragraph) d. What treatment interventions do you suggest for Jill? (3-5 sentence paragraph) 2. Discussion Reflection. The M7D1 discussion explored mental health disorders (psychological disorders) and their co-occurrence with substance abuse disorders. Review the posts of the discussion and incorporate ideas/quotes/content from the text, discussions, and other sources in your response. See my discussion summary posts (in M5D2 and M1D2) for examples. Respond to the following in 300 words: (Use these guiding questions to get you thinking; you don’t need to answer them one-by-one.) • What are your two major take-aways from the discussion? What content stuck out to you? Comment on why you agree with the author’s opinion or why you have a different view. • As a future member in a helping profession (counselor, social worker, law enforcement agent, or a health care professional), how will the content of this module help you assess/treat future clients that present with symptoms of mental illness and/or substance abuse? What have you learned in this module that will alter your approach to better identify and treat individuals with a dual diagnosis? Grading: See the grading rubric attached to the assignment folder. Submission: Submit to the M7A1 assignment folder.