The client reached out to Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness with complaints of emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and substance abuse. The client had interpersonal conflicts along with difficulty in managing emotions. He was also dependent on the substance, cocaine. A detailed plan for the treatment was formulated for the client.
Patient Profile: A male with cluster B personality traits along with substance dependence on cocaine.
Holistic Interventions: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was used as a primary course of treatment combined with aspects of REBT, CBT, and Expressive Arts Therapy. The client also thoroughly practiced yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. This was backed up with therapy through music, art, and access bars along with regular exercise and yoga.
Mindfulness and relaxation: This was practiced through listening and participation.
Emotional regulation and management: It was done through emotion identification, labeling correct emotion, ABC skills, and self-validation to reduce emotional vulnerability and intensity of unwanted emotions.
Distress tolerance: This was practiced by introducing the client to his triggers virtually through guided imagery and then through actual contact with the triggers. The client also learned how to manage these triggers through various DBT skills.
Interpersonal effectiveness: This was focused on increasing self-worth and self-respect.
He was not able to engage in mindfulness and relaxation activities because of distractions. No other complications were reported. It was hard for him to practice mindfulness. The team decided to start with small steps. Techniques such as mindful walking and listening were encouraged to deal with distractions. The client enjoyed mindfulness walks and was motivated to try more mindfulness exercises.
The client was able to develop better-coping mechanisms. He was able to follow drug abstinence and quit the usage of cocaine completely. The anxiety levels were reduced. He was able to work on interpersonal relationships and was able to use empathy and understand other people’s perspectives. He was motivated to start a new chapter of his life.
Client’s perspective – ‘I believe in myself and I know I can get rid of this addiction’.
The holistic care helped the client to understand his emotions and how emotional vulnerability affected his life. He was able to regulate and manage his emotions. He had a better insight into the illness and was able to fight anxiety and take back control of his life.
Medical Disclaimer: This case study is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as medical advice, nor is it intended to replace the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals. Always seek the advice of a licensed medical provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
