ABSTRACT
This chapter narrates about Gerald who had been in and out of alcohol treatment units and psychiatric hospitals for years before he came to hospital on the recommendation of the local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In Gerald's case, his therapist won by convincing him to deal with his alcohol and drug addiction first, before trying to set in order other chaotic aspects of his life. At the relapse prevention group, the therapist made it clear to him that how much they valued him, just as much as they valued more compliant members, but he did not have things all his own way. Certain factors made a difference: first, being reined in from his wild ideas by the young priest who was not taken in by him and later by the therapist who saw through his embattled persona, and second, the acceptance he met in AA and at the hospital.
