21 year old who grew up in Caribbean with Parental Roots in India was brought by his Mother under the current pressures of Law Enforcement systems. He had been diagnosed with Multiple and Significant Substance Abuse Issues, Disorderly Conduct and facing Misdemeanor Charges. Avoidant to engage with Mental Health system.
Read the Preface to this Case Story in prior Blogpost.
Therapy Engagement: Rapport was poor. Therapist did set the boundaries clearly. As a Professional, he conveyed his inability to appease him. Certificate of attendance and Reference letters will be given only on the basis of actual therapeutic attendance, work and progress. Short term goals were set, since both the Therapist and Patient had Mistrusts towards each other, beneath the Superficial Engagement.
Therapy Process: Sessions started with 3 times a week, alternate days. Resistance to Change was very high. Compliance to get a favorable report was the only Motivation. Avoidance, Anger and hidden Disbelief at the Therapist and System did get expressed as Leaked emotions. Confusion and Ambivalence (for therapist and patient) continued for weeks before signs of Basic Trust and possible Rapport emerged.
Sessions became Consistent. Communications improved as Blocking, Deflections and Circumventions reduced. Honesty to look at goals for Genuine Change improved as Defensive guards lowered. Vulnerabilities surfaced and experience of Shame, Guilt and low Self Worth became Conscious. Patient tested and trusted the Therapist as an Ally.
Therapy Outcome: Cocaine, LSD trips and hard drugs which were part of the polysubstance abuse were reduced in 6 months. Weekend rush to Dance clubs got limited and Gambling addiction came to a stop in 8 months. Cravings were handled with effort, despite some relapses. Cannabis and Alcohol use continued to go out of hand now and then but stopped by about 10 months. Contacts with earlier Gang mates reduced, but remain distant and friendly. A brief Jail term and Community Service got him off the Law Enforcement tracks. Individual enrolled for academic Courses, grades improved from C to A+. Relationships at home started with brief visits to overnight stay at parents home to being at talking terms. Meaningless dates were replaced with a steady girlfriend, seeking and respecting Intimacy. Mood and Anxiety issues receded. Psychiatric medications were weaned off.
Patient qualified and joined a Degree course in Engineering. He sensed the return of his fathers pride for him and his mothers happiness and peace for him. Sessions tapered and Therapy engagements stopped by about a year.
One and a half years from the Start, and few months after his New Sense of Life, the Ex- Therapist and the Individual met by Choice (not Chance). The Ex- Patient shared his recent accomplishments; College friends, steady relationship, family support and future aspirations.
As Ex-Allies, they shared and admired the Progress, he said, “Doc, By 15, I had given up any hope of getting a Life back. All I imagined is how my Gang leader was shot and killed. That could be my Fate too!” “Do you believe in God, Doc ?”
Doc smiled and replied. “If there is a God particle, that particle germinated and sprouted within your Self. God does not Need to Exist outside you, to be part of your Destiny !”
We smiled and Parted knowing very well that we have our own Roads to travel. But we will survive in each other’s Memory Bank.