A 5 page paper which provides a case study of Nicolas Cage’s character Ben Sanderson by utilizing the perspective of Abraham Maslow’s self-actualization theory. There will be an assessment of the problem, client description, and theoretical analysis with examples to support assertions and concludes with a treatment plan based on the application of Maslow’s theory. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: TG15_TGlasveg.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
induces vomiting if the patient consumes any alcohol, and a combination of hospitalization and counseling or psychotherapy. Because every case is unique, the counselor must review the clients history
of substance abuse very carefully in order to make a recommendation that can be applied to successfully treat the client. Ben Sanderson, the protagonist of Mike Figgiss 1995 film,
Leaving Las Vegas, suffers from acute alcoholism which has resulted in the loss of his job as a Hollywood screenwriter and his complete estrangement from family, friends and professional colleagues
(Francke, 1996). Rather than seek professional help to cope with his problems and get his life back on track, Sanderson has, instead, chosen to surrender to his demon and
end his suffering by overdosing on alcohol. He leaves the familiarity of his old life behind and travels to Las Vegas in hopes of losing himself in its gaudiness
and superficiality (Francke, 1996). While there, Sanderson establishes a relationship with a young prostitute named Sera, and they begin an intimate relationship based completely on the present and stripped
of all illusions (Francke, 1996). He makes it clear to Sera, "You can never, never ask me to stop drinking" (Francke, 1996, p. 3), which she accepts as a
way of demonstrating her unconditional support of him and his intention to literally drink himself to death. Although Ben Sandersons case seems dire, considering his expressed desire to succumb to
his addiction rather than combating it, he possesses the necessary resources to be successfully treated through the application of behavioral psychologist Abraham Maslows theoretical perspective, self-actualization. According to Maslow,
any addiction such as alcoholism was an example of "metapathology," which he defined as a "spiritual illness that emerges when peoples inborn need to find meaning in their lives is