Week 6 (4/16-4/22): Discharges, Updates, And New Admissions

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my senior project blog! For this week’s post I will be providing an update about the patients that I am working with as well as introduce a new patient I have begun working with.

Patient 2

This patient is being discharged this upcoming Monday, and talked about how his experience has been in the program. He talked about how he’s feeling the best he has in a really long time, especially as he was able to get approval to go into the program in Southern California. Although he has previously been to two prior programs, he felt this program was more detailed in its groups and also found that he was able to work a lot more on his PTSD. When discussing any changes he has seen in himself, he mentioned that when he started that he was quite impatient to get out of the program but now wishes it was longer. He also stated that he’s noticed that his anger has reduced significantly and feels more patient and in control of himself. He believes that for him, it’s important to follow-up in care rather than do a “one-and-done” when it comes to addiction treatment.

Patient 3

This patient was discharged this week and talked about how his overall experience in the program has been good. This was his first rehab program and he believes that it was important in the sense that it helped him set up steps to begin going in the right direction. He mentioned the importance that communication and teamwork had in his treatment as an aspect of this program is group therapy sessions and also mentioned that the commonality of it being veteran to veteran has helped as well. He believes one of the most important aspects of treatment is to be able to take responsibility and having a want to recover. His plan after leaving is to begin working in his job he got while he was in the program.

Patient 4

This patient talked about how she was not feeling well earlier in the week but has gotten better. She mentioned having issues within her family as well as WET group, though citing that talking or writing it out has helped her immensely. She mentioned that this week in particular was one where she was utilizing a lot of the skills that she has learned in the program and merely having that sort of awareness and knowledge is significant to her. Her goal for this upcoming week is to get back into her routine as this is something she values within her own life.

Patient 5

This patient talked about how he’s feeling very moody and questionable about his recovery. He mentioned that he has had a lot of time to reflect upon himself and essentially figure out the pros and cons of staying in treatment mentioning that this is what encourages him to stay. He stated that he has been in programs before but is taking it more seriously now, engaging in groups more when compared to prior treatments. His goal for this upcoming week is to figure out his new discharge date as well as figure out potentially another residential extensive addiction program to keep on track.

Patient 6

This patient was admitted this week and is a caucasian female veteran in her early 30s with a history of poly-substance use disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. Her relapse occurred a month ago, she stated that she is here as a program after relapse was a part of her recovery plan. Discussing her use of alcohol, she mentioned that has not been drinking daily, however when drinking, uses in high amounts. She also relapsed into meth use, but stated that she has not been using as much. She mentioned that she knows the reason behind her relapse but does not want to discuss the topic. Her short term discharge goal is to complete the program and her long term discharge goal is to obtain stable housing and maintain sobriety. 

Looking at her history of substance use, she has reported no overdoses and has minimum to moderate withdrawal potential. Her substances of choice are alcohol and methamphetamines citing them as substances that helped her with her PTSD. She also uses tobacco and caffeine (coffee). Prior to her admission into FOR, she had regularly been attending another addiction treatment program. 

She is reporting symptoms of depression like low mood and seems to hold feelings of guilt but denies current suicidal ideation. She also endorses anxiety, but states that it is manageable. Although mentioning that they have reduced, she reports symptoms of PTSD due to a history of military trauma and personal trauma, citing nightmares, re-experiencing, negative mood, and hypervigilance. She also reports a history of impulsive drug use in the past.