Patient I

This thirty-six year old has been a challenge to carers for most of his life. He has a learning disability and has been injecting drugs and abusing alcohol for many years. He had considerable behavioural problems, which continually got him into trouble. In addition, he was epileptic and had hepatitis C. When he came to us he was on treatment with methadone and on anticonvulsants. He managed to stay for three weeks despite a number of episodes of refusing medication and getting into arguments with other residents. Finally, he smashed a window and refused to talk. The police took him away for psychiatric assessment and he was later admitted to the Maudsley Hospital.