Question

Read the following scenario and answer the questions. Bill is 19 and grew up in a poor area of Boston where drinking is a very popular behavior. He, himself has been drinking heavily since he was 11 years old. He drinks almost every day, but when he is particularly anxious, he drinks until he passes out. Anxiety is a problem for him, particularly social anxiety when he is around people he doesn’t know very well.
His father and his grandfather were both alcoholics; the father drank himself to an early death when Bill was 14. His mother and older sister do not drink at all, and they have always told Bill that he is the family’s black sheep, the rebellious one who is destined to be like his father. His favorite weekend pastime is to go to the local bar and hang out with all of his friends. He has no friends that are abstinent from alcohol.
• Using the biopsychosocial model as a guide, what do you think causes Bill‘s behavior? What biological, psychological, and/or social factors are influencing Bill’s behavior? Explain.

Answer 1

Social and cultural factors :

Environment and social condition in which someone resides play a role in alcoholism. Bill grew up in a poor area of Boston where drinking is a very popular behaviour . So it can influence him a lot. Also , in this above condition , all of the social factors such as friends ,relatives and cultures around bill promotes him to be alcoholic.

Psychological conditions :

In the above situation we see that , bill consume more alcohol when he is in anxious mood. Social anxiety is one of the most problem faced by the bill. Individuals who have depression , Bipolar disorder and social anxiety are much likely to develop alcoholism. Also early consumption of alcohol leads to change in physical conditions, which results in heavy drinking.

Biological factors :

Biological children of alcoholics are mostly likely to become alcoholics. The genetic factors behind the alcoholism is very complex and risky . Here the father and grandfather of Bill are alcoholic. So genetics impact many aspects of alcoholism. Also people who grow up in a family which promotes heavy drinking are more likely to develop alcoholism.