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The nightly phone calls did make a big difference in Dakota’s attitude. He talked to Melissa in every one of their sessions that week. They made progress on how he could make SMART choices and goals.
Monday: Dakota was allowed to go on a walk alone to write in his treatment journal. He loved the opportunity to be outside and to be on his own to reflect. On Tuesday, he ventured into the main common room where both adults and teens could mingle together under the watchful eye of the staff, for longer than he usually did. There was a pool table where Logan got two other guys a few years older than him to play against them. It was fun.
Logan and he had a group session with August on Wednesday, where they talked about urges and cravings. That topic also made Dakota uncomfortable, but he pushed through it and made it the whole hour this time. August worked with the boys at their own pace. He didn’t push them.
Dakota didn’t throw any fits, even when he wanted to cuss out Mark. He didn’t want to lose his phone calls for acting out. Despite what a lot of people thought; he did know how to behave. He didn’t act out much at home without a consequence, but sometimes he just couldn’t help himself and liked a little bit of chaos.
Dakota had earned back all of his privileges. It turned out; life was easier when he wasn’t being a brat on purpose. He was easing into the idea of being in rehab.
On Friday, Paul checked the boys out after dinner and took them for ice cream to celebrate Dakota’s successful week. Both the boys ordered Oreo milkshakes. Paul got a twist cone. They came back to the treatment center and finished the night off by watching Star Wars: A New Hope.