Case Study Donald Cunningham

The Case of Donald Cunningham

Talia K. Purifoy

Liberty University

The Case of Donald Cunningham

Case Study

Name: Donald Cunningham

DOB/Age: February 21, 1960: 55

Dates of Interviews: 12/18/2015

Evaluator: Talia Purifoy

Reason for Assessment

Ducky, born name Donald Cunningham is a 55 year old African American male with a slim build and typical height. There is no implication that Donald has fathered any children or has a spouse. Although Ducky will work, he has challenges with sustaining employment and currently does not have a job. Ducky is a substance abuse user of crack cocaine. Ducky will go beyond extreme measures to fulfill his habit of using. Some of the ways in which Ducky supports his habit includes stealing from friends and family in additition breaking into homes and places of business. Most recent Ducky was arrested on charges of burglary. His behavior demonstrate symptoms of substance abuse and is also showing indication of mental illness challenges. Ducky is demonstrating reclusive and withdrawn behavior. The efforts of this assessment will provide an determination if Ducky struggles with substance abuse and if there are preventative measures that will provide treatment that will help him to push through and overcome his current challenges.

Sources of Information

Self-report and family input, in addition to records from EAP program were the sources of information.

Psychosocial History

Mark is the middle child with an older brother (a professor at Virginia Tech), and a younger sister (now deceased). His mother is a retired secretary and his father is a retired teacher. Mark reports no experiences of early childhood trauma or abuse. Although he sees his family as lazy and boring, he does not report any strained relationships with his biological family. He has a daughter in college and a step-child in the military, and apparently has a positive but distant relationship with them both. As mentioned previously, his relationship...