Client was a 39-year-old male from S. Florida. He presented for treatment after overdosing on Methamphetamine. The client reported “I lost too much control.” Client reported a history of substance abuse and mental health issues. In addition, client struggled with medical issues including heart attack and strokes and employment issues. Client presented with mental health symptoms related to depression, anxiety and trauma. Client was unemployed and had a strained relationship with his parents who he lived with prior to treatment. Initially, the client denied needing treatment, but he realized he would like to work on “discipline,” and the need of building a sober support network.
Therapeutic interventions involved:
- Addressing mental health symptoms of depression and anxiety with special emphasis on coping with feelings of shame and guilt.
- Coping skills included identifying forgiveness of self, in order to release feelings of shame and guilt relating to neglecting his family and friends during his addiction to substances.
- The client also identified experiencing trauma due to not being able to walk and talk appropriately due to his heart attack and strokes and the burden and worry he had placed on his parents.
- Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and role-playing techniques, the client was able to improve his motivation, judgement and insight for treatment.
Results of Treatment
The client was more open and cooperative with getting a sponsor and attending AA/NA meetings. He was able to remove the negative peers and past friends with whom he used substances. Client also focused on building his relationship with his parents and reached out to past friends who are sober, who he felt would be a good influence and support for him. The client was able to rekindle his relationship with a spiritual higher power for support. Client’s mood, affect and cognitive functioning improved throughout the treatment process and he was able to walk better, speak more clearly, improve his relationship with his family and gain insight into his past. The client presented with needing assistance with ADL’s as evidenced by looking disheveled. Throughout treatment, the client‘s daily living skills seemed to improve by dressing neat and clean, while looking more “put together.”
Client made progress in decreasing his anxious and depressive symptoms, he had no cravings or dreams to abuse substances and the client felt “ready” to return home. The client’s mother and father were supportive of treatment and participated in most family nights, as well as participating in weekly family therapy sessions.
The Discharge Plan
The client’s plan for discharge was moving back home with his parents where he reunited with his family and slowly returned to work. Client continued with IOP programming upon discharge from PHP programming. Client was motivated to attend weekly AA/NA meetings, looking for work, rebuilding his support network, continuing with medication management, participating in therapy services and following through with outpatient recommendations.
