Client was a 41-year-old male from the Midwest. He presented for treatment for acts of rage and anger, steroid addiction and substance abuse issues. The client reported “my life is unmanageable right now.” Client struggled with communicating and interacting positively with others as evidenced by increased agitation, manipulation, mood swings and poor coping skills. Client reported that he had a history of abusing substances for the past 20 years. Client presented with mental health symptoms related to depression and anxiety. The client lacked coping skills and had very little insight into his substance abuse/mental health issues. He was having conflicts with peers at work and had burned bridges with his family and friends. Initially, the client denied needing treatment, but he realized he would like to work on “getting back to work and seeing his 2 children.” Client then realized the importance of making better choices, controlling his temper and anger and with building a positive sober support network.
Therapeutic interventions used in treatment were role playing techniques and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address the client’s addiction, mental health symptoms of Depression and Anxiety with special emphasis on coping with feelings of shame and guilt. Coping skills utilized identifying forgiveness of self in order to release feelings of shame and guilt relating to disappointing himself, his family and his friends during his addiction to substances and with how he interacts with others when he does not get his own way. The client’s motivation to be successful, to see his children and to return back to his job and home served him well.
Through the use of therapeutic interventions, the client was able to improve his motivation, communication, judgement and insight for treatment. The client was more open and cooperative; participating in groups and in individual therapy sessions, was motivated to support others, was open to attend church services weekly. He was into fitness, staying physically healthy and in shape and was working out daily. The client was able to remove all the negative peers and past friends, focused on building his relationship with his family and children and begin to build relationships with those who are sober and who he feels will be a good influence and support for him. The client was able to rekindle his relationship with a spiritual higher power for support. The client’s moods swings were improved by getting the client’s Lithium to an appropriate level. Client’s mood, affect and cognitive functioning improved throughout the treatment process. The client was able to improve his mood with peers and staff, become more patient with the treatment process, improved his relationship with his family, learned how to avoid negativity from others and gained insight into his past.
Client made progress in decreasing his anxious, irritable and depressive symptoms and he had no cravings or dreams to abuse substances and the client felt “ready” to return back to the Midwest, return to work and be with his children upon discharge. Client returned home and continued treatment with Outpatient Therapy and Psychiatric Services after completion of his PHP programming. Client was motivated to attend weekly AA/NA meetings, getting a sponsor, make work his priority, rebuilding his support network, continuing to work on his spirituality, continuing with medication management and therapy services and following through with aftercare recommendations.
