Kevin was treated for depression when he was a

Kevin was treated for depression when he was a teenager. Among the symptoms he experienced were a loss of energy, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and family problems.

Kevin also began drinking as a teenager, and the stress of college led to increased use of alcohol and cocaine. As the alcohol decreased Kevin's ability to function, he left college and went to work in a fast food restaurant.

/4s time went on, Kevin found he ivas unable to resist c alcohol and cocaine, and this abuse damaged his performance at work, and his relationships with people who were important to him became worse.

For help with his depression and addiction, Kevin came to Pinebrooke’s dual diagnosis program. Alcohol and drugs are unhealthy ways of dealing with stress and depression, and treatment in the dual diagnosis program is directed at the combination of emotional problems and chemical dependency.

In the daily individual and group therapy sessions with the psychiatrist and other skilled therapists, Kevin identified and worked through his feelings which contributed to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. He learned healthy ways of coping with stress and how to talk more openly with this family.

He learned how to use the twelve step program of Alcoholics Anonymous to maintain sobriety, began attending AA and NA meetings, and began to develop a support group of people who could help him live a healthier life.

Pinebrooke set up an aftercare program for Kevin so that he would continue to have help to work on his feelings and addiction following completion of the dual diagnosis program.

Today, Kevin, now 22, is still sober and following his outpatient program. He sees a psychologist and attends an outpatient treatment program for addiction. He feels good about himself and is appreciated by his co-workers.