Drug addiction from a psychodynamic perspective: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) as transitional phenomena

Abstract

Drug addiction is a widespread phenomenon that affects many areas in the addicts' life; therefore, some eclecticism from therapists has a beneficial effect on the outcome.

The Relationship Between Vulnerable Attachment Style, Psychopathology, Drug Abuse, and Retention in Treatment Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients

“…Addiction counseling is one of the treatment interventions of methadone maintenance counseling, which includes direct and verbal therapy to facilitate and support the patient's recovery from an addiction (Zweben 1989). Additionally, our clinic provides psychotherapeutic treatment next to addiction counseling (Potik, Adelson & Schreiber 2007), and studies indicate that patients who receive psychotherapy in addition to counseling show improvements in their lives, enter the job market, and stop using drugs (Luborsky et al 1985;Woody et al 1983). …”

Impact of lifetime psychiatric diagnosis on long-term retention and survival of former opiate addicts in methadone maintenance treatment

“…In brief, each patient drinks the individual methadone dosage every day in the clinic and is encouraged to earn the privilege to receive " take home " dosages of medication (for up to 2 weeks) if they stop illicit drug use and present acceptable behaviour. Patients attend regular personal psychosocial therapy appointments with specialized counsellors (Potik et al 2007(Potik et al , 2014Abramsohn et al 2009). Patients also participate in several therapy groups (i.e., a mandatory seminar for newly admitted patients) and may participate in psychiatric diagnoses, and it was 16.4 years (95% CI 15.9 -16.9) for all patients.…”

Working in the Conflict-Free Sphere: Adaptation Group in Methadone Maintenance Treatment

“…The rationale of this group format is based on the idea that MMT is accompanied by changes in patients' lifestyles and behavior, which are parallel to transitional phenomena (Potik, Adelson, & Schreiber, 2007). Drug addicts who enter MMT undergo significant interpersonal and intrapersonal processes, which have decisive importance in terms of recovery and continuation in treatment.…”

“…MMT is also accompanied by changes in patients' lifestyles and behavior, which are parallel to transitional phenomena (Potik et al, 2007). According to this idea, which relies on Winnicott's (1960Winnicott's ( , 1962 developmental theory, there is a strong parallel between developmental stages of infancy and an addict's recovery processes.…”

“…According to this idea, which relies on Winnicott's (1960Winnicott's ( , 1962 developmental theory, there is a strong parallel between developmental stages of infancy and an addict's recovery processes. According to this theoretical model (Potik et al, 2007), transitional phenomena occur upon entering MMT, and psychotherapists or counselors serve as transitional objects that help in the transition between the developmental phases. According to this theoretical model (Potik et al, 2007), transitional phenomena occur upon entering MMT, and psychotherapists or counselors serve as transitional objects that help in the transition between the developmental phases.…”