Maria is a 44-year-old hearing-impaired Latina female who was admitted to the inpatient treatment facility for alcohol dependence where you are a substance abuse counselor.

Maria is a 44-year-old hearing-impaired Latina female who was admitted to the inpatient treatment facility for alcohol dependence where you are a substance abuse counselor. During her admission, Maria expressed reluctance to undergo treatment, stating that her family did not approve of counseling or psychiatric services because they see it as a sign of weakness. During her admission, she began crying hysterically. She stated that her husband left her and that her two teenage children were home alone. Maria was inebriated, under emotional distress, and ended up being carried to her assigned room by two staff members.

Your psychosocial intake assessment revealed she is also manifesting signs and symptoms of a major depressive disorder. You know that Maria needs help with her alcohol addiction, but you also know that her depression might be a cause or an effect of alcoholism.