Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

From action to reflection: New depths in psychotherapy with drug addicts

  • Articles
  • Published:
Clinical Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The continuously self-destructive behavior of some drug addicts may stir up in the therapist feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and anger. This article explores some of the dynamics of the addict's behavior and some of the pitfalls present in interventions on the part of the therapist which ignore the language of the acting out and which concentrate on crisis and behavior. Two case examples are presented to illustrate the therapist's dilemma and new depths of interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, G. Transference, real relationship and alliance.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1980,61, 547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bettelheim, B.The empty fortress, infantile autism and the birth of the self. New York: The Free Press, 1961, pp. 22–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fine, R.The intimate hour. Wayne, NJ: Avery Publishing Group Inc., 1979, p. 211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khantzian, E. J. The ego, the self, and opiate addiction: Theoretical and treatment considerations.International Review of Psychoanalysis, 1978,5, 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menaker, E. Masochism: A defense reaction of the ego; inMasochism and the emergent ego edited by Leila Lerner, New York: Human Sciences Press, 1979, p. 66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothstein, A. Oedipal conflicts in narcissistic personality disorders.International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 1979,60, 189–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spitz, R. Genesis of superego components.The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 1958,13, 375–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolorow, R. Defensive and arrested developmental aspects of death anxiety, hypochondriases and depersonalization.International Journal of Psychoanlaysis, 1979,60, 203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winnicott, D.W. Ego distortions in terms of true and false self.The maturational processes and the facilitating environment. New York: International Universities Press, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 104 East 36th Street-A, 10016, New York, NY

    Angelo Smaldino

Authors
  1. Angelo Smaldino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smaldino, A. From action to reflection: New depths in psychotherapy with drug addicts. Clin Soc Work J 11, 151–163 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756041

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756041

Keywords

Search

Navigation