Client was a 54-year-old heterosexual female who presented for treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder co-occurring with Major Depressive Disorder. Client reported having time sober in the past and had relapsed approximately 2 years ago. The client is a licensed clinician and was out of work on FMLA and Short-Term Disability. The client reported that she had been in treatment before, but it was a long time ago and came to Destination Hope for help.
The client shared that she was functioning at work and no-one questioned her performance. She further reported that she was drinking heavily at home nightly and had recently starting drinking while at work, and she knew she needed help. The client reported that she had a troubled marriage with kids living at home and felt responsible to take care of her husband who is disabled.
The Treatment Plan
The client was working on her alcoholism and depression, which included medication and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When writing her life story, she came to the realization that she had suffered trauma through much of her life and had been suppressing it for decades. The client completed her life story with great difficulty and shared it with her therapist and her peers. The client shared that she felt a lot lighter after sharing her story as she was embraced rather than rejected by her peers and therapist. The client shared that she previously believed she was a terrible person and feared telling the truth about the events of her past.
Treatment Outcome
The client left Destination Hope with knowledge of effective communication skills, boundary setting skills, and improved self-esteem. Upon discharge she expressed her eagerness to continue her journey of sobriety and mental wellness at the IOP level of care including individual therapy and regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
