Ben has been sober for 2 years and is now working consistently on a job he likes. He divorced his wife during the time he was in rehab because she could not give up her drinking and seemed to “want to pull me down.” Now she has returned, intoxicated, and begging him to take her back. They talked into the night about “old times” and both of them got drunk. 

(a) What are some interviewing techniques you could use to help Ben at this juncture? 

(b) Who makes the final decision about what to do about Ben’s ex-wife? 

(c) Construct a response you might give Ben that accurately and matter-of-factly reflects his ambivalence.

Looking at the techniques you learned in this chapter, decide what techniques and skills would be best to use in each of these situations.