Stephen, a 19-year-old college freshman is brought to the emergency department diagnosed with alcohol intoxication.  Stephen's roommate reports that he has been concerned about him because he often drinks until he passes out.  He is said to miss classes often because he cannot get up in the morning following these binges.  The emergency department  standard for the assessment of alcohol abuse is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test).  Stephen screens positive for an alcohol problem. 

a. Based on the AUDIT what behaviors are exhibited by Stephen that would indicate he has a substance abuse disorder?

b. What are factors that may predispose Stephen to a substance abuse disorder?

c. What interventions can the nurse provide for Stephen?

Answer:

a. Based on the AUDIT what behaviors are exhibited by Stephen that would indicate he has a substance abuse disorder?
-Feeling of exhilaration and excess confidence.
-Increased alertness.
-Increased energy and restlessness.
-Behavior changes or aggression.
-Rapid or rambling speech.
-Confusion, delusions and hallucinations.
-Irritability, anxiety or paranoia.
b. What are factors that may predispose Stephen to a substance abuse disorder?
-Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition.
-Mental health disorder.
-Peer pressure.
-Lack of family involvement.
c. What interventions can the nurse provide for Stephen?
To prevent from ill effect of alcohol withdrawal Stephen should be given following intervention
-The nurse should check for the blood glucose and maintain blood sugar level by administering IV fluid because alcohol alter the metabolism of glucose by making unresponsive to glucagon.
-Administer vit B injection to prevent from Wernicke's Korsakoff syndrome.
-To desensitize alcohol amount in body, administer tab. metadoxine as prescribed by the psychiatrist.
-Iv fluid administration to maintain fluid volume in the body.
 

References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83253/