Unit 5

Betsey | Case Study _____________

Betsey is a 33-year-old stay at home mom. She has come into treatment to see you regarding a drinking problem. She drinks in order to cope with her husband’s difficult behaviors. She also mentions that she suffers from depression.

She tells you that she has a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and was beginning a successful career when she quit work after 4 years to marry her husband Gary, a detective at the sheriff’s office. The couple has two children together, a daughter, age 5, and a son, age 2. Betsey reports having a miscarriage 6 months ago and is having difficulty coping with the loss. She tells you that her husband blames her for the miscarriage and has become verbally abusive towards her. Prior to her miscarriage, there were no issues of abuse.

She reports that her husband has a violent temper. When he drinks, he becomes extremely angry and lashes out at her and the children, and he even throws things at her. Betsey says that he struck her two days ago during their latest argument. She is fearful that he has the potential to become dangerously physically violent towards her and she also fears for her children’s safety.

She says that she tries to be perfect around him such as keeping herself fit, keeping the house clean, and cooking favorite meals for him, but it is never enough for him. In addition she is homeschooling her daughter. She mentions to you that her husband wants to have another baby and is pressuring her to become pregnant; however, she feels that she needs some time to heal before becoming pregnant again.

Betsey says he is an ok father to their children but, at times, uses them as leverage when he feels that she is not performing her “duties” as she is supposed to do. She reports no family support as she moved away from her family when she got married and has limited contact as her husband feels they are a bad influence on her.

She discusses with you that she had thought about suicide in the past, but is currently not suicidal as she does not want to leave her children without a mother. She discusses her desire to go for treatment, but she does not want to be hospitalized for inpatient treatment. She does not want her husband to find out she is considering treatment, and she is very afraid of what he may do next.

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PS508| Ethics for Addictions’ Professionals