Prior to engaging in this discussion, review Chapters 7 and 8 in your text, read "Recovering Health Through Cultural Traditions" by Krohn (2013), and review the Instructor Guidance.
Refer to the information in the SOC313 Family Document. For this discussion, address the scenario below based on your assigned family member who is currently experiencing issues with substance misuse and complete the discussion according to the instructions.
Last Names Beginning with A - E: Lucy Miller is a 20 year old woman who has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As a coping mechanism for her wild mood changes, Lucy began experimenting with illegal drugs while still in high school and has now become addicted to them.
Last Names Beginning with F - N: Lucy's younger brother, Josh, was recently discovered using marijuana. His response to his parents when confronted was, "It's just an herb! Grandma Ella says as long as it is natural, it is good." In truth, Grandma Ella has not said anything about marijuana and does not know that Josh has been using it.
Last Names Beginning with O - Z: Sam Miller, Lucy and Josh's uncle, is 50 years old and divorced. He works as a foreman on the Maldonado produce farm. He is an alcoholic and has been diagnosed with severe substance use disorder due to his alcohol addiction. His alcohol use is affecting his position as the foreman. Over the past few months, he has experienced emotional outbursts, missed work, and started arguments with the workers, third-party wholesalers, and Al Goldberg (Olson family). Sam has been upset that his parents sold the family farm to the Maldonado family instead of passing it down to him.
For your assigned family member, analyze the biology of substance misuse and describe its potential for dependence in certain families and the outcomes of various behaviors. Is it likely that Lucy, Josh, or Sam had a genetic predisposition to alcohol or substance addition? How does lifespan development make a difference in propensity to misuse substances? How does the stage of life at which the misuse begins affect the user's behaviors?