Effectiveness of Psychosocial Intervention in the Management of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with Poor Marital Adjustment: A Case Report

Aim: Globally, it has been found that the mean lifetime prevalence of alcohol use is 80% and for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is 8.6%, and AUD has an adverse impact on an individual as well as on the person’s family. In view of the same, we choose a case of alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) to investigate the effect of long-term alcohol use on family dynamics, marital adjustment, interpersonal relationship, and motivational level of the individual with ADS, as well as the effectiveness of pre- and post- brief psychosocial intervention in the treatment outcome of the individual with ADS by involving his family and strengthening his interpersonal relationships.

Presentation of the Case: The client had a history of alcohol use for 22 years. Gradually, his alcohol intake was increased from 100 ml/day to 2-5 litres/day in the last few years. Due to his worsening condition, he was admitted to hospital in 2016 and diagnosed with ADS. He remained abstinent for the next 5–6 months after discharge, but had poor treatment compliance. For the past 2.5 years (2016– 2019), the client again started drinking and the symptoms recurred. He was admitted there again on May 30, 2019. It was found that the prolonged alcohol use of the client had an adverse impact on his spouse’s wellbeing and also on his interpersonal relationships with his parents and siblings. Further, it was found that the client had a lower level of motivation, poor adaptive patterns, inadequate social support, and poor marital adjustment.

Discussion: This study discovered a significant difference between pre- and post-psychosocial intervention in the management of ADS. After our intervention, the client has been doing well. His marital adjustment has increased with his improvement in quality of life, family dynamics, and adaptive patterns.

Conclusion: It was found that psychosocial intervention with the person with alcohol dependence as well as his family is effective and plays a very crucial role in treatment and wellbeing.