Question

Case Vignette

Answer 1

I am no expert just my opinion.

. He started drinking because his mindset changed with his diagnosis wich let him hopeless , he sees no future and his acts makes him get away from the change of having a future. So how do we change his mindset? Maybe the attitude of crying in desperation for him to stay and try chemo makes him more stubborn defensive of the feeling of anhedonia and also under the control of addictions he is more depresed gets more defensive . In my opinion the best solution is not directly tell him to start chemo but to give him subtle motivation first to quit alcohol and to start chemo.If he starts seeing a future people talking good about life around him ,talking about progress of others with the same disease even if it s not his own progression it s some of the best to give motivation, talking in a permissive way like he is the one making the decision to quit although not healthy saying thay he is allowed to drink how much as he wants after chemo -just to making him stop and get chemo and deal with everything after. for some individuals maybe seeing the consequences and future complicatiosns not death a term that he can be numb maybe useful for motivation using some fear. Saying that he is a lucky one having an options some of the people with cancer don t. I would try in subtle manner to give him motivation, a feeling of gratitude with examples and also showing the reality.