Description
Drawing on a range of approaches, but relying primarily on the self-psychology approach developed by Heinz Kohut and his students, the author presents a general text on addiction counseling for psychotherapists, social workers, and other interested parties. The discussion reflects the author's belief that addiction should be seen as a biopsychosocial phenomenon. He argues that his presentation bridges the gap between 12-step programs and psychodynamic psychotherapy so that the therapist need not be in competition with those programs. The text appears not to have been updated from the earlier version first presented in 1987. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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This comprehensive work by Jerome D. Levin provides psychotherapists and counselors who treat alcoholism and other addictive states with a solid understanding of the inner world of their pa-tients, the dynamics of these disorders, and a repertoire of therapeutic interventions to improve the effectiveness of their psychotherapy. The author demonstrates how the therapeutic relationship can re-place addiction and promote integration and growth. Levin's approach to the treatment of alcoholism serves as a model for the therapy of the other addictions as well. He draws on material from medicine, biology, anthropology and sociology, chemistry, psychology, and the basic principles of psychoanalysis, focusing on the concepts of transference, countertransference, therapeutic alliance, resistance, and internalization and their application to the psychodynamic treatment of individuals involved in self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
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