Resolution of a drug abuse problem in a private practice setting

This case study involves a 27-year-old male who began therapy in an effort to understand his drug abuse. As an essential part of treatment, the client was asked to abstain from drugs. In doing so, he began to experience and understand the feelings of anxiety which drugs had defended him against.The therapeutic technique used provided for the therapist to establish an interaction with the client by playing the dual role of the supportive, yet assertive father and the soothing, yet separation-encouraging mother. Consequently, the client was able to experience, confront and work through his anxiety.