JEFF CASE STUDY
Jeff is a 33-year-old divorced Caucasian male who came in for an assessment and treatment to keep his job. “If I do not do what you tell me to do, then they are going to fire me … just because I drink a little and miss work sometimes.†Jeff lives alone in an apartment he has rented for the past 3 years. He stated he is not sure why his work is making such a big deal about his habits. “I don’t drink or do drugs at work. I do not steal, hit people, or get into fights. All I do is come in late at times and a couple times my boss has said I smelled like alcohol. If I am on my own time, I don’t think it is my boss’s business what I do. But I need this job. It is the best job I have ever had.â€
Jeff stated that he has been at his current job for 5 years. He stated that until this job, he had done lower paying jobs like roofing and painting. He currently works for the state as part of the construction crew that builds bridges and other state-run infrastructure. Jeff stated that currently he works 2 hours from his home. He stated that he will be on site for about 10 to 12 days and then will return home for 4 to 5 days. His employer provides a hotel room while he is on a work site. Jeff reported, “My supervisor has told me several times that I am very good at my job and that they would hate to lose me.†Jeff’s supervisor reported that Jeff is a valued employee but if his alcohol consumption continues in this manner, they will not be able to employ him any longer. Jeff participates in random drug tests, including blood alcohol tests while on site. In the last 18 months, Jeff has had four violations for his blood alcohol content being above the maximum allowed on site. Each violation results in a three-day suspension without pay. Two of these violations occurred in the past month. The fourth positive resulted in the supervisor suspending Jeff for five days without pay and requiring he receive a mental health assessment and follow through on any treatment requirements.