This is not a story for children, it was written by a teenage girl and is sutitable for teenagers.
Pepi went to Sylvencia for the therapy. Click here to learn why.
After introducing each other the therapist asked:
– Why are you here?
– I am an alcoholic, answered Pepi.
– How do you know it?
– Uhm… My boyfriend said so and left me.
– And what do you think?
– I don’t know.
– When do you drink alcohol?
– At parties.
– How often do you go to parties?
– Maybe once a month or so.
– And when else do you drink?
– That is all.
– I don’t think it is and alcoholic problem, but we will find out.
– Isn’t it?
– An alcoholic drinks more frequently or in a different way.
– But my boyfriend left me…
– Ok, we will see what the real problem is.
– Great!
– How did it happen, I mean why did he leave you?
– It was at my stepsister’s wedding party. I got drunk and danced with a handsome stranger.
– And what was wrong with it?
– He hugged me too much and my boyfriend didn’t like it. He wanted to take me away and I started to shout at him, because I wanted to dance with that boy.
– I see, but why did you want to dance with him so much?
– I don’t know, I was drunk.
– How does alcohol change you?
– Uhm… I feel self assured.
– And this is your real problem!
– Really?
– Yes, your real problem is fear, you drink alcohol to feel good, but after that you have even more problems.
– That is right!
– It is a good way to become an alcoholic, but you are here, so hopefully it will not happen.
– So what can I do?
– Let’s first make a therapeutical contract. Do you want to come to me for the therapy?
– Yes, I think so.
– What do you expect from our meetings?
– Uhm.. I want to stop drinking at parties. No, I want to stop drinking alcohol at all.
– And?
– And I want Flatty to come back to me!
– It will depend on him. Let’s focus on you. How do you want to feel at the parties without alcohol?
– Normal, I want to be me.
– What does it mean?
– Uhm, just like every day.
– You said alcohol made you self assured. Do you want to feel like that without drinking?
– Yes!
– Ok. So we shall meet about six times and we will see if you reach the goal.
– Sounds good.
– So now let’s make a simple exercise. Imagine you are at the party and you don’t know anyone there. How do you feel?
– Oh no, that is terrible!
– Okay, what are you sitting on?
– What? On a chair, I think.
– Now focus on the chair, what is this chair like?
– Uhm… Big and blue.
– OK, Is it warm or cold?
– Cold.
-Is it rough or smooth?
– It’s smooth because it is made of wood.
– I see. How do you feel now?
– I feel OK.
– Now somebody is coming to talk to you. How do you react?
– I start to panic!
– OK. Think about the chair. The person is introducing himself. Can you talk?
– Yes.
– Good. You have learnt the method of reducing the fear. It is called „here and now”. Go to a party and practice this. Is there any occasion?
– No. But I can go to a club.
– Great, so see you next week!
– Wow, said Peppi. This seems very easy. Goodbye and thank you Sylvencia!
To read the episode about the next meeting click here
This story was written togehter with my teenage student Natalia.
Thank you very much Natalia!
The therapy was consulted with my friend Monika, who is a therapist. Thank you Monika!