LNL - does really sound like MLC. I think you did all right in your convo with him. He is acting out because he is lonely and missing his home but terrified of going back to his "old" life.
Maybe part of the answer is for you to have a "MLC" of your own - but in a good way? I mean, what really wild, adventurous, stretch-your-limits things have you done recently? I tried to use the concept "beginner's mind" to throw out all my preconceived notions and at least try things that I normally wouldhave dismissed.
