So this is my first post in these forums, although I've been coming here occasionally to read others' posts. I suffer from depression and have a substance abuse problem as a result. The other day I went to my therapy session. I've been to this therapist for about 9 months, and have been hungover multiple times in therapy. This time I had done a particular drug (nothing illegal) the night before and was still slightly affected by the "afterglow" the next day. I was honest with my therapist and told him what happened...and he sort of blew up at me. It wasn't uncontrolled anger, but he was clearly upset and sternly told me that I was "crossing boundaries" and wasn't allowed to come to sessions while under the influence. I was stunned, the "afterglow" didn't seem to be affecting me more than a caffeine buzz would, and I had been hungover in his office so many times before that I didn't think this was an issue (more than once I have gone to sessions early in the morning after staying up all night drinking, and was still slightly intoxicated).

I feel like this post is getting long-winded, but my point was that I am going to therapy in part because of my substance abuse issues, so I feel like it's a little unreasonable for my therapist to demand for me to be completely sober in all of his sessions. I feel a little hurt and confused by his reaction during the last appointment. Is this a normal reaction for therapists? Why would he be upset with me? I mean, I get that therapy isn't that effective for someone who is high/drunk, but I'm the one paying for it! Do I need to look for someone who is a little more understanding? Or am I asking too much from him?