Motivation for 

Change

FOTONOVELA

John’s Story

The Consequences of His

 Heavy Drinking 

And His Recovery 
Acknowledgments

This publication was prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration (SAMHSA) by the Knowledge Application Program, a Joint Venture 

of The CDM Group, Inc., and JBS International, Inc., under contract number 270-

09-0307, with SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Christina Currier served as the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Disclaimer

The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS.

Public Domain Notice 

All materials appearing in this document except those taken from copyrighted 

sources are in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without 

permission from SAMHSA or the authors. However, this publication may not be 

reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the 

Office of Communications, SAMHSA, or HHS.

Electronic Access and Copies of Publication

This publication may be ordered or downloaded from SAMHSA’s Publications 

Ordering Web page at http://store.samhsa.gov. Or, please call SAMHSA at 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) (English and Español). 

Originating Office

Quality Improvement and Workforce Development Branch, Division of Services 

Improvement, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857.

HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4782ENG

Printed 2013
1

 Motivation for 

Change

John Taylor

Lucy

Matthew

John’s Dad

Mr. Williams

John’s Mom

Social Worker

This publication contains graphic depictions of a 

traumatic event that may be unsuitable for children.
2

John was at a party drinking with his best friend, Matthew. Late at night, after hours of 

drinking, the two friends decide to head home and take their beers in the car.

On the way home, Matthew passes out at the wheel...
3

Matthew’s car smashes into a tree and is badly damaged. 

John and Matthew are carried 

into an ambulance.

John is hospitalized with bad cuts and bruises on his 

head. He’s about to be released from the hospital.

Matthew dies in the accident. 

John, the doctor 

said you can come 

home today, but first 

we have some very 

bad news: Matthew 

died in the accident.

Oh, no. That can’t 

be true.
4

The police 

said he was very 

drunk. Were you 

drunk too, John?

Hi, John. My name 

is Holly Smith, and 

I’m a social worker 

at this hospital. I’d 

like to talk to you.

Your blood test 

showed that you 

probably drank more 

than a few beers, so 

you may want to talk 

to a counselor about 

how much you drink. 

We only had a few beers at a 

party. Don’t preach to me now, 

Dad. I’m feeling very bad. I don’t 

want to talk about this.

A social worker 

enters the room.

Is it all right if my 

parents stay?

We only drank a few 

beers at a party. 

That’s fine. John, when 

you came into the 

emergency room, you had 

a very high level of alcohol 

in your blood—much 

higher than the legal limit.

Here is some information 

about treatment facilities 

in the area. They can 

help you evaluate your 

drinking habits.

John, look at what 

happened to Matthew 

because you guys drank 

so much! How can you 

say you don’t need help?

I’m not an alcoholic if that’s 

what you’re saying! What 

happened was an accident! 

I know how to control 

my drinking. I don’t need 

anybody’s help.
5

Mom, get out! 

Leave me alone! 

I don’t want to 

talk to anybody 

right now. 

I don’t need 

any help.

John, are you drinking? Son, we’re worried 

about you. You need help for your drinking. 

Think about what’s happened. You were 

almost killed in that car accident. Your best 

friend died, and Lucy left you! 

John, I was waiting for 

you to come home to 

speak with you. This is 

it for me. 

Lucy, it was an accident. 

I promise nothing more 

will happen. 

I’m sorry, John, but I don’t trust 

you anymore. We’re through.

I’m begging you, John. If you don’t 

want to do it for yourself, then do it 

for us, your parents. We can’t take 

this worry and suffering anymore!

Hey, my love! Why didn’t 

you come to the hospital? 

I missed you. I’ve been 

hurt. Don’t you care?

I told you that I’d give you 

another chance to quit drinking. 

Now, I’m through. It could have 

been me instead of Matthew 

who died in the accident. 

John returns home from the hospital and receives a 

call from his girlfriend, Lucy...

That same night, John’s mother 

finds him drinking in his room.
6

Days later, after 

wandering the streets 

and staring at the names 

of the referrals in the 

information he received 

from the social worker, 

John goes to the HELP 

Center, a substance abuse 

treatment facility.

Umm, I’m here 

to talk with 

Mr. Williams.

They’re souvenirs. I 

bought them while 

travelling. They bring 

back nice memories. 

You have some nice 

decorations in here.

I’m Mr. Williams, a counselor here. 

Why don’t you come in and close 

the door so we can talk in private?

Yeah, I would like to 

travel some day, and go to 

college, but things don’t 

seem headed that way...
7

I have to say, I’m a little numb. I still can’t 

believe all that has happened to me! 

Matthew is dead, my girlfriend left me, 

and my family thinks I’m an alcoholic!

You mentioned your family 

thinks you’re an alcoholic. 

Can you tell me why your 

parents are so concerned 

about your drinking?

John, it sounds like your parents 

are concerned about you. Do you 

think you have a drinking problem? 

So, tell me what’s 

going on—why you 

came here today. 

It was an accident. I think Matthew fell 

asleep at the wheel for a second... Then, 

I heard the brakes screech, and the next 

thing I remember is being rushed off in 

an ambulance to the hospital...

My uncle died of liver problems 

from alcohol, so I guess they’re 

worried about my health.

You say you can stop drinking if you 

want to. I wonder, though, do you think 

the fact that you’re here might mean 

that at least some small part of you 

might be worried about your drinking?

I’m so sorry to hear 

you lost your friend—

what a terrible ordeal 

for you.

So what 

do you think 

about what’s 

happened?

My family, well, my 

mother and my... 

ex-girlfriend...think I 

have a problem with 

alcohol. A week ago 

my friend and I had a 

few drinks, and on the 

way home, we crashed 

the car. It was late. We 

were both really tired, 

and yes, we had been 

drinking at a party, but 

no more than usual. 

Yes, you could 

have.

What really upsets me is 

the guilt I feel about what 

happened to Matthew... 

At the same time, I feel 

relieved because I wasn’t 

the one who died. We had 

talked about who was 

going to drive us back... I 

could have been the one 

who caused the accident 

and the one to die.

I don’t think so. 

I’m sure I can 

stop whenever I 

want to. 

Well...

maybe 

just a 

little.
8

Since you’re here, 

would it be OK with 

you if we talked 

about that a little... 

about what might 

worry you?

Yeah, I 

guess.

It really surprised you 

that she broke up with 

you...that she was 

that upset about your 

drinking, didn’t it?

Can I ask you some 

questions about your 

drinking? It might help both 

of us to better understand 

what is going on.

Not remembering?

Yeah, that was weird. 

Yeah, it did.

Well, I know I feel bad—even 

guilty—the next day. Sometimes 

I don’t remember what I did, and 

that scares me a little.

Anything else?

Sure, I guess.

I guess so.

Well, like I said before, my 

girlfriend broke up with 

me after the accident. She 

said she didn’t trust me 

anymore. She complained 

about my drinking before, 

but I never thought she’d 

leave me. We’d been 

together 2 years!

So, if you had to come 

up with something 

about your drinking 

that is less than great, 

what might that be? 

So, it sounds 

like you do have 

some concerns.

Mr. Williams asks 

John questions to 

determine the quantity 

and frequency of 

John’s alcohol use. Mr. 

Williams will use this 

information to give 

objective feedback 

about his alcohol use. 

During any follow-up 

sessions that John 

agrees to attend, Mr. 

Williams will use more 

formal questionnaires 

and screening tools to 

better evaluate John 

and to determine, with 

his input, the best 

treatment.
9

Well, John, you mentioned that you normally have 

seven or more drinks at one time—every Saturday 

and Sunday—and sometimes during the week. I can 

tell you that is well above the level of social drinking. 

Also, you mentioned earlier that there have been 

times when you couldn’t remember what happened 

when you were drinking. That’s called a “blackout.” 

Blackouts only happen with very heavy drinking. 

Most people who drink never experience blackouts. 

Then, you said that drinking is causing you serious 

problems with your family and with the young 

woman you were dating. Finally, there’s the car 

accident and the death of your friend.

When you put it 

that way, it sounds 

pretty serious. 

Great! I’m really glad you 

came in today. It took a lot 

of guts. I look forward to 

seeing you next week.

Well, John, I also get 

the impression that 

this is very serious. 

I’d really like to talk 

to you more. Would 

you be willing to 

come here again? 

John and Mr. Williams stand up and walk 

toward the door. 

I might as 

well. Maybe I 

do have some 

things to think 

about. 
10

Thank you for allowing me to visit your home, Mr. and 

Mrs. Taylor. It is an honor to be here. I believe John 

told you that I wanted to meet with you. Is that right?

Well, I’m glad to see that you are open to getting 

information that will help John and, ultimately, 

your family. Remember, though, John is the one 

who has to make the biggest effort.

Mr. Williams, thank 

you. What can we 

do to help?

Well, Mr. Taylor, these situations are never 

easy. But I see proud and loving parents, and 

you both seem willing to help your son. This 

will take a lot of hard work, but John has 

managed to take the first step. John, do you 

want to say anything?

It hasn’t been easy lately. We have had a 

very hard time with John. Now, he seems 

to be trying to help himself. He is thinking 

about taking college classes at night, and he 

has been playing sports most weekends. We 

only want the best for our son. 

Yes, he told us. Thank you 

for coming, Mr. Williams. 

John seems to be making 

an effort to change, which is 

good. I want you to know that 

we appreciate your help.

A few weeks later...

Mr. Williams knows that the support of 

John’s parents is crucial. After some 

weeks of counseling John, Mr. Williams 

visits Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. 
11

Well, I’m beginning to see the negative effects of 

alcohol on my life. Drinking has affected my behavior 

at home, with my friends...everywhere. Mr. Williams 

explained that drinking so much affects the way I 

make decisions. It changes my personality, and it 

really messes up my relationship with my family. I also 

learned that using alcohol can be addictive and that 

addiction is a disease. Even though a lot has happened, 

I know that, if I change, I can have a better future. 

It’s hard enough growing up these days, 

but he is beginning to understand there 

are other ways to cope with problems 

that don’t involve drinking. Many 

parents decide to quit drinking to serve 

as role models for their children. Does 

anyone in the family drink?

John, we want the best for you. We 

want you to be happy and successful, 

and alcohol won’t help. I think you’re 

beginning to see that.

My brother died from liver problems related 

to drinking. Me, I have a beer once in a while, 

but only on special occasions. I’m willing to 

give that up if it will help John. 

We worry so much about you! 

We’re always thinking that you’ll 

get arrested or be killed in a car 

accident. We don’t want you to 

end up like Matthew.

I know, Dad. It’s just that sometimes I get carried away, 

especially when everybody else is drinking and having 

a good time. Now I know that I can’t handle it as well 

as I thought I could. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.
12

It’s common for young people to imitate the family leader. Continue to be a positive 

role model for your son. John really needs your support. Changing any behavior is a 

long process that takes time. People often start off thinking they don’t need to change 

at all, so they stay in a cycle of trouble and pain. Then they reach a stage where they 

begin to think they may need to change their behavior, because it’s causing them lots 

of problems. After that happens, they move into a stage of figuring out how to start 

making changes in their lives. John, where do you see yourself in this process?

John continues to go for counseling over the 

next several months.

Two years later... John graduates! He has a job, and he and his 

family are much happier. His girlfriend is back 

and supporting him every step of the way!

Sounds like you’re 

ready to begin making 

some changes. I’ll 

work with you every 

step of the way. It 

takes a lot of courage 

to take charge of 

your life.

I’m still not really sure, 

but I think I’m ready to 

take a look at making 

changes in my life. I don’t 

want to get into any more 

trouble. I want to change 

for my family, and I also 

want to change for myself. 

I learned a hard lesson 

when Matthew died, and I 

don’t want anyone else to 

get hurt.
13

Resources

FEDERAL RESOURCES

The U.S. Government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA) has an online “treatment finder” for drugs and alcohol programs nearby 

(see link below). Type your town or zip code into the space on the screen to find 

alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities and programs around the country.

http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/TreatmentLocator/faces/quickSearch.jspx

For mental health facility locations see:

http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/MHTreatmentLocator/faces/quickSearch.jspx

You can also call the toll-free national referral helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn 

about local treatment centers for substance abuse and mental health issues.

This publication may be ordered or downloaded from SAMHSA’s Publications Ordering Web page at http://store.samhsa.gov. Or, please call SAMHSA at 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) (English and Español).

Other Resources

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

To find a meeting, call 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666) 

Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. ET

Find an e-meeting: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/electronic-meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous

http://www.aa.org

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

Narcotics Anonymous

http://www.na.org

Marijuana Anonymous

https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/

Nar-Anon Family Groups

http://www.nar-anon.org/naranon/
HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4782ENG Printed 2013