Patient A has been diagnosed with alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Alcoholism may be treated as a substance dependence disorder characterized by behavior patterns resulting from uncontrolled use of alcohol and continued, or even increased, use, often despite awareness that the substance is disrupting one's life.

a.

faulty neurotransmitters in A's brain

b.

unconscious conflicts that are manifested in drinking behaviors

c.

thoughts and feelings of being a failure

d.

heartbreak from a relationship that recently ended

Answer: A psychodynamic approach might view unconscious conflicts that are manifested in drinking behaviors as a potential cause of alcoholism.

a.

if drinking keeps difficult feelings out of A's awareness

b.

if A's drinking only becomes a problem after a certain number of drinks

c.

if A drinks alone or with others

d.

if drinking hinders A's long-term memory

Answer: A psychodynamic approach might examine how drinking keeps difficult feelings out of A's awareness.

a.

subliminal suggestion into A's psyche of new, unpleasant associations with drinking

b.

art therapy that encourages creative expressions of interpersonal conflicts

c.

therapy to help A gain insight into difficult feelings and memories that fuel drinking behaviors

d.

surgery on the part of A's brain that oversees repression

Answer: A psychodynamic treatment approach might include therapy to help A gain insight into difficult feelings and memories that fuel drinking behaviors.