Cheryl is a 32-year-old woman. Cheryl has come to your office after being granted a reprieve from prosecution due to her recent arrest. Cheryl was arrested for drunken and disorderly conduct and assault during a community picnic. She reports that "this whole thing is a misunderstanding." She denies being "drunk" at the picnic. She explained that everyone was a "little happy" and admitted to "catching up" by drinking 6 beers and "a few chasers" in a matter of an hour and a half. Cheryl admits that she had promised her husband that she would "control" her drinking, but people kept handing her alcohol. She reports it "takes a lot" to make her feel drunk. She reports that she has tried to cut down but her "stressful life" causes her to go back to drinking. Cheryl admits that she has been drinking while at work to stave off the headaches which she blames on her hormones. She reports that she is currently separated from her husband and was fired from her job because of what happened at the picnic. This has resulted in Cheryl drinking even more.

• Based on your readings, diagnose Cheryl and provide the justification (matching criteria to reported behaviors). Include the severity index.
• Based on your readings and the unit resources, explain the neurological basis of Cheryl's condition.
• Provide a rationale for employing a multidisciplinary treatment team in this case.

References:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Alcohol use disorder. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.
• Ettinger, R. H. (2017). Substance addiction and the neurobiology of addiction. Pyschopharmacology (2nd ed.). Routledge.