ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of Aryan who was a 22-year-old man of Indian descent referred for psychological intervention by his father, Ranjit, to a private psychology practice for treatment for a cocaine and alcohol use problem. Aryan described the motivation for his cocaine use as a means to increase his sociability, gregariousness, and attractiveness to friends and colleagues. Aryan presented with primary issues relating to cocaine and alcohol use, as well as symptoms of social anxiety. It is hypothesised that Aryan's shy and anxious temperament and social inhibition have contributed to his reliance on substances in social situations and are predisposing factors for Aryan's substance use and anxiety disorders. Cognitive and mindfulness strategies to reduce catastrophic misinterpretation of physical symptoms of arousal and the management of urges were initially practiced in session and then transitioned to be applied in vivo by Aryan.
