Treatment of a dually diagnosed gay male patient: a psychotherapy perspective.

Abstract

“John” was a 35-year-old white gay man who was referred to Dr. Ruiz for psychiatric care by a local family practitioner. John suffered primarily from bouts of depression and anxiety and also used cocaine quite regularly. At about age 16, John began to use pot with his high school friends during social parties. He also realized around this time that he was gay, although he kept it primarily to himself out of shame, guilt, embarrassment, and fears of rejection by family and friends. By age 18, John was occasionally using alcohol and LSD and had engaged in a few homosexual encounters. During college, he stepped up his addiction to stimulants and continued to have occasional homosexual encounters. Upon finishing college, he earned a master’s degree in education. During this period, his use of cocaine and amphetamines as well as his homosexual activities became more regular. Since earning his master’s degree, he had been working as a high school math teacher for about 10 years.