Renz Center

Provides guidance on the path to happiness and recovery

Bob first came to Renz Center over two years ago when he was sixteen years old and was referred by his high school for a drug offense. Not only was Bob using cannabis, but he was also selling it to his high school friends and acquaintances. Initially Bob was not interested in treatment and did not care if he was expelled from school. After an assessment, it was recommended that he go through intensive outpatient treatment. Bob’s support system was of great concern since not only did his brothers use and drink alcohol at home, but his mother was aware of this and felt helpless and out of control in her own home. She was angry and resentful and not very open to helping her son succeed in treatment . Bob did not have a license yet and was dependent on his mother getting to treatment four times a week. Mom felt SHE was being punished and did not understand why she had to help. She was angry, rude, disrespectful to staff and would not be involved in his treatment in anyway.

Despite considerable time in intensive outpatient treatment, Bob continued to use and drink on the weekends. He had a difficult time staying clean and sober when his brothers were using in the same house. Bob was then referred to long term residential treatment and he chose not to go. Eventually he was expelled from school and later the next year was arrested and put on probation and ordered to go to long term residential treatment. He completed a 90 day program and return to Renz Center for outpatient treatment. He returned to school and earned his diploma.

While at Renz, Bob focused on relapse prevention and anger management as well as building and maintaining a positive support system since his family life had not changed much. Bob had a lot of anger toward his mother for her lack of support and for her verbal and emotional abuse of him. He needed to find a way of accepting that even though he may change, she may not. He also needed to learn how to take responsibility for his own actions and consequences of his use. He had the experience during treatment groups of coming into contact with several adolescents whom he had sold cannabis to in the past and were now themselves in substance abuse treatment. He learned how to make amends. Bob completed his treatment at Renz. Upon successful discharge he was working well with his AA sponsor and had a very positive support network within AA and through some extended family. He continues to have periodic communication with his counselor and reports that he is doing well.

Thanks to United Way of Elgin’s support for the Renz Prevention Program and Outpatient Treatment program, Bob and others are able to receive the treatment and support necessary for a brighter future.
 
 

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