Sample Case Conceptualization

My client, who I will call Eric, is a thirty-nine year old single white male. He presented to our program for depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior and alcohol use disorder. Eric was diagnosed as Bipolar in 2008. He was recently released from an inpatient program where he was hospitalized for a month. He was admitted to the hospital due to erratic behavior and resisting arrest. Eric’s parents intervened when they realized Eric had spent $24,000 in two weeks. When the police went to Eric’s motel room for a well check they found his girlfriend unresponsive and Eric resisted arrest. This was Eric’s fourth time being hospitalized since 2008.
For the past six months prior to Eric’s hospitalization, he was living in a motel with his girlfriend, who has a heroin use disorder. However, Eric denies using street drugs, only alcohol. He stated during our initial meeting he has his alcohol use under control at this time. I was informed by Eric’s father after he left the program for the day how Eric had in fact been picked up by the police the night before. The police found Eric passed out intoxicated in a snow bank on the verge of hypothermia.
Eric was adopted as a baby and is the only child. He stated his childhood was basically a happy one; however, he does not have a great …show more content…
Eric does not connect his alcohol use to his legal issues. When asked he said his alcohol use was under control, however, the night before he was picked up by the police and was arrested. He has also had two DUI’s (driving under the influence) which has resulted in the loss of his license, many court and attorney fees. When asked about his legal issues, Eric will tell you how he has been discriminated against and “rung through the ringer” by the legal system. Eric is unable to take accountability for his actions, rather he believes the court has given him a hard time, and treated him unfairly due to his mental