Addiction Treatment: Using the Empty Chair
Keywords:
addictions , attachment disorder, empty chair, higher power, psychodrama, relational dysfunction, rolesAbstract
The etiology of addiction includes complex biopsychosocial factors, but conceptualizing addiction as a result of an attachment disorder and consequent relational dysfunction gives psychotherapists a way to understand and treat addictions. This article presents this conceptualization and argues for the use of psychodrama and psychodrama action techniques in the treatment of addictive psychopathology. The author explores, in particular, the use of the empty-chair technique, presenting five common roles useful for our work.
References
Badenoch, B., & Cox, P. (2010). Integrating interpersonal neurobiology with group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 60, 462–481. doi:10.1521/ijgp.2010.60.4.462
Daley, D., Douaihy, A., Weiss, R., & Mercer, D. E. (2009). Group therapies. In R. K. Ries (Ed.), Principles of addiction medicine (4th ed., pp. 757–767). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Dayton, T. (2000). Trauma and addiction: Ending the cycle of pain through emotional literacy. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
Flores, P. J. (2001). Addition as an attachment disorder: Implications for group therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 51(1), 63–81. doi:10. 1521/ijgp.51.1.63.49730
Flores, P. J. (2004). Addiction as an attachment disorder. Lanham, MD: Jason Aronson.
Flores, P. J. (2006). Conflict and repair in addiction treatment: An attachment disorder perspective. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 1(1), 5–26. doi:10.1300/J384v01n01_02
Freimuth, M. (2005). Hidden addictions. Lanham, MD: Jason Aronson.
Hofler, D. Z., & Kooyman, M. (1996). Attachment transition, addiction and ̈ therapeutic bonding—An integrative approach. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 13(6), 511–519. doi:10.1016/S0740-5472(96)00156-0
Jellinek, E. M. (1960). The disease concept of alcoholism. New Haven, CT: Hillhouse Press.
Kapleau, P. (1989). The three pillars of Zen: Teaching, practice and enlightenment. New York, NY: Doubleday.
Khantzian, E. J. (1997). The self-medication hypothesis of substance use disorders: A reconsideration and recent applications. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 4, 231–244.
Korshak, S., & Delboy, S. (2013, Winter). Complementary modalities: Group psychotherapy and twelve-step recovery for addiction treatment. Group: The Eastern Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 37(4), 273–294.
Korshak, S. J., Nickow, M., & Straus, B. (2014). Introduction to process addictions for group psychotherapists. New York, NY: American Group Psychotherapy Association.
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (1991). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Peele, S. (2010, October). Addiction in society: Blinded by biochemistry. Psychology Today, 43(5), 52–53.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and process of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395. doi:10.1037/0022-006X51.3.390
Rounsaville, B. J., Carroll, K. M., & Back, S. E. (2009). Individual psychotherapy. In R. K. Ries (Ed.), Principles of addiction medicine (4th ed., pp. 769–785). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Weiss, R. D., Jaffee, W. B., de Menil, V. P., & Cogley, C. B. (2004). Group therapy for substance use disorders: What do we know? Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 12, 339–350. doi:10.1080/10673220490905723
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.