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Addictions From an Attachment Perspective: Do Broken Bonds and Early Trauma Lead to Addictive Behaviours?

Editor : Richard Gill

Reviews and Endorsements

‘This outstanding book is an important collection of essays by an array of gifted clinicians addressing the exciting and crucial impact that attachment theory is having on the understanding of how to work with people who have an addiction. Edward J. Khantzian’s article is, in itself, worth the price of the book as he provides a lucid and comprehensive review of his paradigm shifting “Self-Medication Hypothesis”, which has evolved into an even more elegant explanation of addiction as an affect regulation disorder. Not only does Dr Khantzian offer a more satisfying and accurate description of the intrapsychic and interpersonal dynamics of addictions, he also provides a much-needed replacement of the archaic and pejorative perspective of drive theory’s view of addiction as pleasure seeking with a more compassionate and accurate model reflecting the comprehensive understanding of our needs for attachment as primary. He concludes his remarks by helping the reader understand how the absence of secure attachment is a risk factor for affect dysregulation in children and, subsequently, addiction in adults.’
— Philip J. Flores, PhD, clinical psychologist; fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association; adjunct faculty at Georgia State University; supervisor of group psychotherapy at Emory University, USA; and author of Addiction as an Attachment Disorder

‘This book comprises a set of chapters by highly experienced clinicians and researchers, who have employed and developed attachment theory in a variety of innovative and applicable ways to the field of addiction. The excellent chapter by Arlene Vetere is an example of the scope and importance of this book. She has delivered clinical interventions and training regarding problems of alcohol and substance dependency for over twenty years. In this paper, her depth of experience, sophisticated and creative clinical formulation, and sensitive ways of intervening shine through. She combines concepts from attachment theory, systemic therapy, and narrative theory offering a compassionate approach that employs these perspectives in a reflective and non-judgemental manner. This book serves as an excellent resource and will stimulate others to take their ideas further.’
— Rudi Dallos, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Research Director at the School of Psychology, Plymouth University, UK; chartered clinical psychologist; member of the British Association for Family Therapy; and author of Attachment Narrative Therapy