Question

Jared, a client you treated two years ago for depression, presents in your office after being released from an inpatient alcohol treatment center. He states that he encountered problems after losing his job last year and was drinking heavily when he was home alone all day. After Jared fell and injured himself severely one day, his partner Kyle insisted that he go into inpatient treatment. Now Jared says he needs to see a counselor as part of his aftercare plan. Jared and Kyle have been partners for the past four years, and own their home together. Kyle is an active member of his church and has a job that provides income. Jared wants to return to being a contributing member of their family as well. He also wants to build new relationships and is considering joining a sobriety group at Kyle's church, but he hesitates because he says he feels confused about his own spiritual beliefs. Jared says he wants to feel better about himself and his life; he wants to avoid slipping back into depression and using alcohol to feel better. It appears that Jared's best chance at remaining sober is to receive comprehensive services. In your post, address the following:

1) Describe how you will help Jared understand how these resources will be of benefit to him and how he can access these resources.

2) Discuss the importance of family, social networks, and community resources in the treatment of Jared's depression and alcohol addiction.

Answer 1

Since Jared was my counselle before, I know him. I just have to recall his traits. I would involve Jared in self assessment, and would make him think about his thoughts of world, philosophy, spirituatlity.Giving a simple questionnaire in order to make him think about the philosophy or spirituality is also enough to make him walk on the tracks. If Jared gets convinced that involving in these thoughts is making him forget about alcohol, or rather more than church it is about finding yourself. And in this fast world, one can find his/her peace in churches. Hence it is beneficial for Jared to help Kayle, by assissting his family or contribution in church

I would make use of Diener's therapy of Happiness, saying that more social the person is, more happier he is. Family, social networks, friends etc are support system of anybody's life. If one is away from all these, once can feel lonely and get depressed. With family one can share the problems and can get away from alochol. Family or social life is always better for maintaing healthy mind. Having children, family can also make you think strategically wherever finance is concerned or ethically also in case of children.