Old Blues Guy left this morning. In just the few days he was here much by and for him was accomplished. He detoxed fairly well, sweating out long held toxins in my hot yoga studio. He discovered the healing benefits of cannabis based balm. He exercised more than he had in years. He confronted his being. He arranged for an in-patient stay (30 days)at a renown rehab treatment center in LA and found a way to pay for it and his airline ticket down there. He read and questioned, then comprehended and owned each and every PREHAB principle presented to him vowing to memorize its life-saving tenets. He arranged for a sober partner to pick him up here and stay with him throughout this Memorial Day weekend where he is playing a 4 day jazz festival he could not get out of (even though I advised against his playing it-I would have preferred him going straight into rehab from me). These and many other things accomplished here will help him withstand the rigors of the next few days and over the next month while he is in-patient. But this weekend upcoming is just the sort of time-trial that will absolutely test OBG's ability to stay focused on his intention (which is to get to rehab on Tuesday afternoon) and to control his urges to use by applying the PREHAB principles he has come to know and respect. He left me in great spirits, with a skip in his step and an optimistic point of view. We read PREHAB to each other and discussed all the various implications the book opened to us, and OBG seems more focused and determined than ever to beat his demons. I made myself available to him 24/7 as I do all my charges, we hugged, and off he went this morning...Good luck Old Blues Guy.
I'm such a nurturer that I find it always difficult to let go a patient. I question the timing of it all. I question my ability to have assisted in some way. I wonder whether or not I can be there for that person in the heartbeat when I will be needed the most. Knowing that I may not always be able to make those appointments is a brutal reality I must face. I wish I could be in the pocket of each one of my clients...guess that's why I wrote the book and made it pocket sized.
I got a call from an old client. He's clean and mostly sober. We've been working together since 1993/1994. He came to me hooked on alcohol and prescription meds; meds he was taking from injuries incurred on the job. He was into construction. Hard, physical labor. He also had a chip on his shoulder a half-mile high. We first met when he slammed then slumped his 6'2" body into one of the office chairs that faced my desk. Then, peering at me through his dirty, long blond hair, he snarled "So, what are you gonna do for me?"
I stared right back at his intense eyes with equal passion. Resting my arms on my desktop, I slowly leaned forward and smoothly asked "Why don't we start with your dream? Tell me what your dream is?"
Since that day we have become fast friends and he was an ideal client. His rehab was solid, he stuck to our plan and he made his mark. I was invited to his wedding some fifteen or so years ago. I know his son well. Unfortunately, he and his sweet wife are divorcing. He wisely called me to check in and I told him, as I always have, that I am available to him 24/7. We talked about possible pitfalls to watch out for. I hope he stay chill and makes this an easier transition for him than many I have seen. I will help him if requested, otherwise I will have to sit by the sidelines and watch this play out. Good luck, old friend!


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PREHAB: The Essentials for Successful Change
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