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A Meaning-Based Intervention for Addiction: Using Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness to Treat Alcohol Abuse

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The Experience of Meaning in Life

Abstract

This chapter presents a meaning-based framework for addressing substance abuse in psychotherapy. It demonstrates how narrative identity theory and narrative-based therapy can be combined with mindfulness techniques to treat a woman in her 30s who is abusing alcohol. It first presents some key principles of narrative identity theory, focusing specifically on the concept of narrative scripts that become repetitive maladaptive responses to interpersonal stress. It discusses the identification and treatment of these dysfunctional scripts in psychotherapy. It then presents a case study of a woman who engaged in self-destructive drinking binges after perceived rejection in relationships. Once the therapist assessed her maladaptive script connected to her drinking, he employed several mindfulness techniques to preempt the script and provide her with alternative cognitive attributions and coping strategies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Connecticut College, New London, CT, 06320, USA

    Jefferson A. Singer PhD & Meredith Berry BA

  2. Chronic Pain and Addiction Program, Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan, CT, USA

    Bruce F. Singer PsyD

Authors
  1. Jefferson A. Singer PhD
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  2. Bruce F. Singer PsyD
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  3. Meredith Berry BA
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Correspondence to Jefferson A. Singer PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Psychology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 4235, College Station, 77843, Texas, USA

    Joshua A. Hicks

  2. , Dept of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Minard Hall, Fargo, 58105, North Dakota, USA

    Clay Routledge

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Singer, J.A., Singer, B.F., Berry, M. (2013). A Meaning-Based Intervention for Addiction: Using Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness to Treat Alcohol Abuse. In: Hicks, J., Routledge, C. (eds) The Experience of Meaning in Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6527-6_28

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