Self-Esteem Issue?

While counseling a substance abuse client, I recognized that his self-esteem wasn't the best. His body language said he didn't care. While he was pleasant enough, he sat in front of my desk slumped in his chair – seemingly resigned to the fact that he was required to attend counseling.

He’d failed a drug test at work and was required to undergo counseling sessions and testing before he would be allowed to return. Prior to failing the test he’d been clean on the same job for several years.

He indicated he wasn't happy with himself for having failed the test. He cited the circumstances that led to his relapse. Among them were a failed romantic relationship, issues with a family member who was drinking, and a vehicle accident which damaged a custom vehicle he’d built. He said that the frustration built up to where he finally picked up a crack pipe and had a few drinks. A fellow employee noticed his condition and reported him to a supervisor.

The client was dismissive when I pointed out that he’d undergone stress, anger, and other issues over the past few years without relapse. I told him there must've been coping skills in place that allowed him to walk through other challenges and remain sober. He didn't seem to get the point I was trying to make about the coping skills he’d used over the years. Or maybe he wasn't being totally candid with me during our session.

When I asked what the future might look like he said he had several positive things in his life. Among them were children and grandchildren, and his hobby of working on custom cars.  He said that if he didn't have those interests he really wouldn’t have any positive things to do with himself. 

Even though I tried to encourage him to work on self-esteem it’s difficult to do much in that arena in a one or two hour counseling session. But maybe I at least planted a seed.