A TLC Hard Six client who was late for work had a unique explanation: he said he had taken a laxative the night before and while walking to the office had lost control and accidentally soiled his pants. Thus, he had to return home and shower before coming to the office.
And, of course, when he arrived his supervisor requested a urinalysis and breath test. When the breath test came up positive, the client admitted he drank the prior evening and that's why he'd had the "accident."
So the next thing was to figure out what to do: should we discharge him? Should we give him another chance and put him back into the program? After a team evaluation, it was decided to return him to the Hard Six program to start over.
Because this man had been in the program for nearly a year and was experiencing his first 30 days off restriction, it was not surprising that he’d relapsed. Men often do well under strict supervision. But once they have a bit of freedom, where they can make choices on their own without much scrutiny, that's when the test begins.
Because we do not shoot our wounded – as his supervisor said – we decided to give him another opportunity.
Someone also suggested he create a better excuse the next time he arrives late.
