Case Study
Patient Demographic: Name: Alexei Clinical Issues: Substance use/addiction issues Diagnostic Category: Substance Use Disorders Provisional Diagnosis: F10.99 Unspecified Alcohol-Related Disorder Age: 32 Sex Assigned at Birth: Male Gender and Sexual Orientation: Male, Heterosexual Ethnicity: German American Marital Status: Married Modality: Individual Therapy Location of Therapy : Private Practice  
Mental Status Exam: A 32-year-old German American man confidently enters your office. He is tall and slender and appears older than his stated age. His physical appearance is unkempt. The client's voice quality is strong and loud, and his command of English is minimal. His posture and gait are limp and unsteady at times. He is slurring his words and appears to be actively intoxicated. He portrays no accountability or responsibility for his actions with substance use. He denies any current thoughts of homicidal ideations. The client lacks insight, and his thought processes are not logical or appropriate.
Presenting Problem: First session You are a psychoanalytic therapist in private practice and often work with clients who struggle with substance use issues. You believe these issues often arise from unresolved conflicts and the inability to manage emotions. Today, you are seeing a 32-year-old German American male named Alexei, who was referred to you due to occupational disciplinary issues related to alcohol use. Alexei was referred to you by his employer, where he works in a manufacturing plant in the Midwest. His supervisor noticed marked changes in his behavior and productivity over the last few months and was concerned that Alexei might be dealing with a drinking problem. The supervisor initially suggested an employee assistance program, but Alexei was adamantly opposed to talking to anyone involved in his workplace.    You introduce yourself and explain to Alexei that this is a safe and confidential space where he can discuss whatever is troubling him. You reassure him that the only people who will know about the details of this session are himself and yourself. Then, you begin to ask open-ended questions to assess Alexei's current state of mind and identify his current challenges. You are particularly interested in understanding his thoughts and feelings about his substance use and the occupational problems it has created. You notice that Alexei seems excessively relaxed as you establish the confidentiality of the session. As you delve deeper into his thoughts and feelings, you ask him to describe his relationship with substances, particularly how they have affected his daily life and work performance. Alexei hesitantly opens up, admitting that his substance use has become a coping mechanism to deal with mounting stress and anxiety. You listen empathetically and validate his emotions while gently probing into the factors that have contributed to this pattern of behavior.    Alexei tells you that his boss has never liked him and is trying to get him fired. He reports that he sees nothing wrong with having a few drinks in the morning and after lunch. He has been late to work "only a few times" because of a hangover. Alexei states that he needs help finding a new job. You ask Alexei if he can tell you more about his drinking habits. He says he usually starts drinking around 9 am and has been drinking more in the past few weeks. He also admits to drinking at work a couple of times. He looks at you suspiciously, wondering why you need to know this. You explain that it is important to understand his drinking habits and the context of his behavior to provide the best care.    As the session continues, you observe that Alexei's cognitive functioning appears impaired, as he struggles to maintain focus and has difficulty recalling important details. He expresses frustration and anger when discussing his work situation but minimizes the impact of his alcohol consumption on his professional life. Alexei's denial of his alcohol-related problems and the escalating pattern of his drinking behavior indicate a potential substance use disorder. Furthermore, his physical symptoms, such as sweating and slurred speech, suggest that he may be experiencing acute effects of alcohol during the session. It becomes evident that addressing Alexei's alcohol use and its consequences is crucial to provide appropriate care and support for him in his current situation.  Fourth session You completed a risk assessment in the last session and worked on safety planning with Alexei. He arrives 15 minutes late to today's session. When you mention his tardiness, he begins yelling in German. When you appear confused, he switches over to English, saying you are harassing him just like his wife. You respond by acknowledging his feelings and gently reminding him that you are there to help him process his emotions in a safe and productive way. Once he is calm, you explore what it is about your presence that he may be perceiving as hostile or threatening. He takes a breath, apologizes to you for his outburst, and begins to talk about his wife and her disparaging comments. He explains that, when you asked why he was late, it felt like a reminder of how his wife often disregards his needs and makes him feel worthless. "She makes some negative comment like 'you're late' or 'you never do this right'. It make me just want to give up!" He begins talking about wanting to take a break from home and go back to Germany where he can "start fresh". He says that his wife's constant harassment is unbearable. Lately, he has been hoping that she will leave him. You spend the rest of the session planning with Alexei ways he can express his feelings of frustration in productive ways.  Ninth session Alexei appeared anxious during his weekly session today. He tells you that he constantly thinks about how good his life was in Germany and is afraid he will never feel comfortable in America. On a positive note, Alexei shares that he and his wife talked about their relationship and want to take steps to repair their marriage. He now admits to you that his drinking is a problem, but he struggles with the physical aspects of trying to quit. Whenever he tries to stop drinking, he gets sweaty and fears that he will have a seizure, so he begins drinking again. He explains that he cannot get past these symptoms. You discuss with Alexei the option of entering a rehabilitation center to assist him medically with the detox process. Alexei admits that he is unsure about the idea of going into treatment. He acknowledges that it might be beneficial but worries about leaving his family for a prolonged period. He expresses concern that his wife will not be able to handle everything on her own and wonders what will happen with their marriage while he is in treatment. You explore his concerns using motivational interviewing techniques and ask him to discuss this information with his wife.    During the session, you commend Alexei for recognizing the impact of his drinking on his life and his willingness to discuss these concerns openly. You acknowledge the challenges he faces in trying to quit and the physical symptoms he experiences. You explain that seeking professional help at a rehabilitation center could provide the medical support he needs to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively. You emphasize that by addressing his alcohol dependence, he will likely find it easier to adapt to his new life in America and repair his marriage.    Regarding his concerns about his wife managing things while he is in treatment, you explore potential solutions and support systems that could be implemented during his absence. You encourage Alexei to discuss these concerns with his wife and involve her in decision-making. Together, they can identify family members, friends, or community resources that could offer assistance. Finally, you reassure Alexei that taking the time for treatment is an investment in his long-term well-being and that of his family. By addressing his alcohol dependence, he will be better equipped to support his wife and family emotionally and practically in the long run.
Other Contexts: The client grew up in Germany and recently immigrated to America with his wife and mother. Both parents have a history of alcohol abuse and divorced when he was five. After his father left, his mother's enmeshment with her son intensified. She made him spend time with her rather than his school friends and used the threat of leaving him in an orphanage to control his behavior. Whenever he became upset or anxious, she would cuddle him and give him sips of whatever alcohol she consumed.  The client was recently arrested for driving under the influence. The client's wife is contemplating separating because of her husband's continued drinking. He identifies a couple of bartenders as "friends" but cannot recall anyone he knows in an alcohol-free context. He has also been late or missed work due to hangovers and will likely lose his job. His co-workers have often complained that he smells of alcohol. Previous Counseling: The client has had suicidal thoughts thrice, all of which were recent. The initial occurrence was after a DUI incident, followed by a write-up at work, and the third after his wife proposed a separation. The client has shared that he has a specific plan in mind for ending his life, which involves either ingesting pills or cutting his wrists.

Question: Using motivational interviewing, how would you evoke change talk with Alexei?
(A): "I think you should recognize that your negative ideations are manifestations of catastrophizing, and your recognition of that will help you make progress."
(B): "The fear and physical symptoms you are experiencing when trying to stop drinking are completely normal. With the help of a rehabilitation center, you can learn how to manage this fear without resorting to drinking."
(C): "I understand your concerns, but I think your wife will understand if you go into treatment. I believe that making a commitment to become sober is a positive step in achieving your goal of repairing your marriage."
(D): "You have identified a variety of potential solutions to this problem and I'm wondering what potential advantages or disadvantages you may see from each option."

Correct Answer: "You have identified a variety of potential solutions to this problem and I'm wondering what potential advantages or disadvantages you may see from each option."
Explanation: This question allows the client to explore their thoughts and feelings about the situation, which is an important part of motivational interviewing. It encourages open dialogue and helps Alexei to better identify potential pros and cons to each option. This type of questioning can help Alexei gain insight into his own behavior, preferences, and decisions, which is a key component of motivational enhancement therapy. Additionally, this question does not push him to choose a particular option; rather it encourages him to reflect on his own circumstances and make an informed decision about how he wants to move forward. This can help Alexei feel more empowered in the process and ultimately increase motivation for change. Therefore, the correct answer is (B)
Competency: counseling skills and interventions