NCJ Number
158025
Date Published
1991
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Based primarily on interviews with a young quadriplegic (J.R.), as well as his friends, this video portrays J.R.'s experiences and attitudes before and after drug rehabilitation.
Abstract
J.R. was paralyzed from the neck down in a fight while he was under the influence of alcohol. After he incurred the disability, J.R. continued to use drugs and alcohol while partying with his friends. During this period, he was arrested for selling cocaine and sentenced to 500 hours of community service. As part of his community service, he agreed to be interviewed about his experiences and attitudes. Although the interviewer is a clinician, the intent of the interviews is not to provide counseling or treatment, but rather to elicit information from J.R. regarding his experiences and how he views them. He discusses the times he has been hospitalized for injuries and other physical problems that stemmed from alcohol or drug abuse. He also talks about the importance of his drug use for his preferred lifestyle and mental states in interaction with his friends. Although J.R. recognizes some of the physical and mental consequences of his drug use, he views it as an "acceptable risk." After the clinician questions J.R. about his willingness to live with and perhaps die from the consequences of drug abuse, he enters a treatment program. The treatment process itself is not a part of the video, but J.R. is interviewed about his attitudinal and behavioral change in the course of treatment. At the last interview session, he has been sober for 4 months and is facing the challenge of managing his daily activities and relationships without using drugs and alcohol. A discussion guide accompanies the video.