Ineffective Positive Coping Strategies

Diagnosis: Substance Dependence

Problem: Ineffective positive coping strategies
Long Term Goal: Veteran will be able to implement positive coping strategies independently.

Intervention:

I. Session Title: Coping Skills.

II. Group Therapy time/date: 60 minutes.

III. Topic of discussion/needs addressed:
positive coping strategies for recovery.
The group members read and discussed
the handout "An affirmation is a gift to
myself" looking at how their way of looking
at situations can determine how they feel
about it. They created a personal
affirmation and shared it with the group.
Having a positive attitude was processed
as a coping skill for recovery. They read
"Affirmations" by Louise Hay which
focuses on gratitude, making positive
changes, being in the here and now as
well as having a positive outlook on life.
The statement "those who think they can
and those who think they can't are both
right" was processed. They were encouraged
to keep a gratitude journal to increase their
positive thoughts.

IV. Goals and/or Objectives: Group member
will participate in discussions and exercises
during the group. He/she will demonstrate
an understanding of the topic as evidenced
by quality/content of participation.

V. Participation/behavior A. Attendance:

{x} Attended full session {} Arrived late.

B. Level of Participation {} Appropriately
initiates, discloses and sustains conversation, engages appropriately in discussions.

{x} Discloses relevant information within the structure of the group.
{} Excessive discussions, may disclose
information inappropriately at times or
discuss items not pertinent to topic.
{} Requires maximum cuing to
participate or does not participate in
discussion.

C. Attention

{x} attentive, eye contact as appropriate,
appears interested throughout the group
{} intermittent periods of attention/inattention
{} lacks eye contact, appears disinterested
throughout the group.

VI. Outcome:
He/she met goal to demonstrate an
understanding of the topic as evidenced
by quality and content of participation: {x} Yes.
He/she met goal to participate in the group
discussions and exercise: {x} Yes.

VII. Plan: Continue coping skills group
/es/ PAM, MHSE OTR/L Occupational Therapist

I left the class thinking, if I believe I can stay
sober, I will. I had been drinking for forty years and it nearly killed me. I have to believe that
statement.

I did not particularly like this instructor, her
class came over pretty flat.

Author: Alden Morrison

Shame - Dealing With It

Today one of our classes is
concerning Shame in our
recovery, the instructor Fred
tells us that shame is the painful
feeling or belief that we are
flawed as human beings and is
a serious barrier to recovery
from substance dependency. He
tells us that we have to develop
positive supportive relationships
and coping skills to overcome
shame.

Fred goes on with the discussion
and now comes the time to get we
veterans involved. It just happens
he calls on me first, and I have the
feeling he is picking on me. The
question is, what is a shameful
experience you can think of. My
mind sort of goes blank as if it does
not want to answer the question. I
come up with, staying at the Salva-
tion Army, Fred does not buy that
so I say, when I had to admit to
myself that I was a drunk, a alcoholic.
Fred seems to buy that and so does
another veteran who speaks without
being called on and affirms, that it
was also very shameful for him. I
think to myself, idiot, I don't nee you,
to second the motion. Fred moves
on to other veterans and the hour
soon ends, I am grateful, I did not
want another question thrown at
me, but I have a lot more classes on
this subject. I really don't look
forward to them.

I start thinking, I really did not
know what I expected in this
program, but it certainly was not
digging that deep into my soul.

Author: Alden Morrison
Alcoholic Veteran

Veteran Breakdown

I had a appointment to meet with
Dr. Jennie Brandt, Medical Director
and the rest of the staff at the treatment
center for alcohol and drug addiction.
Attending were a psychiatrist, case
managers and what seemed to be a
whole lot of other people. As I walked
into the conference room, I think I
felt intimidated, I was offered a seat.
I still had shakes and my head still
seemed foggy from detoxing and the
Librium I was taking.

The questions started coming fast and
I don't think I answered them fully but
was doing the best I can in blaming
everyone else for my drinking problems
and the insane things I had done while
intoxicated. Then came Dr. Brandts
turn and she started questioning me
about my ex wife and of course I was
spouting off how terrible this women
and her kids where and poor me had
to put up with all her stuff, which made
me drink more. Dr. Brandt and other
staff members did not buy this and
the questions kept on coming. I finally
broke down crying, this tough ex
Marine was crying like a baby. Dr.
Brandt handed me a Kleenex and that
was the end of the session. I felt very
humiliated and defeated. The thought
ran through my head, buy a bottle, get
in the car and head to South Florida,
I hated Dr. Brandt and the rest of the
staff, they had made me see, what I did
not want to see, I was a drunk, a real
alcoholic, my tough ex Marine face
was destroyed, but something inside
me said, stay or you will die, I decided
to stay. I went back to the classroom,
looked at those veterans and said, I
broke down crying in there. No one
said anything.

I came to love Dr. Brandt, she really
cared about we veterans and helped
us in every way and really showed it
on an occasion weeks later, when she
was reading a paragraph to us out of
the Big Book concerning an incident.
She had tears flowing down her cheeks.

If by chance she ever reads this blog,
Doctor, you are a wonderful loving,
caring person and one hot looking
lady doctor.

For any veterans with an addiction
to drugs or alcohol or both, the
Gainesville Veterans Hospital in
Gainesville, Fl is the place to be,
when you are ready, but not before.

Author: Alden Morrison