Substance use by an adolescent with a history of childhood cancer: the role of counseling in risk management

Abstract

Background: Childhood cancer survivors may have a tendency to risk-taking. Adolescents with a history of childhood cancer experience psychological and neurocognitive long-term effects that also impact negatively their social life. Adolescents are exposed to many risk factors in order to be socially accepted, such as drug use, alcohol use, as well as provocative behavior at school and in the wider social environment. Therefore, the counseling process is vital, to cope with the negative effects of the disease and ensure a positive adjustment in adulthood. Case Report: The present case study is focused on an adolescent male with a history of childhood cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) who suffered cognitive effects on his memory that resulted in poor school performance and stress and reported cannabis use. The counseling intervention was based on the combination of cognitive-behavioral and systemic approach, and family counseling, with the aim to enhance the adolescent’s socialization through psychosocial interventions. The duration of the counseling was seventeen sessions. The results of the intervention showed that the initial goal of the student was achieved, i.e. to socialize with his peers and to give up substance use. At the same time, the adolescent discovered many hidden aspects of himself, learned to trust, to communicate without fear and shame, to set limits in the relationships with his family and to claim his rights. The psychological, emotional and moral support of childhood cancer survivors by mental health professionals is important, even years after treatment, to ensure adolescent smooth personal development and social integration.