Existential Issues in Psychotherapy with Alcoholics

Johnson, Raymond A.; Griffin‐Shelley, Eric; Sandler, Kenneth R.

doi:10.1300/j020v04n01_02

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…This lack of responsibility is also linked to a lack of meaning and purpose in life (e.g., Didelot et al, 2012;Johnson et al, 1987). Following a meaningful prosocial life requires coping with suffering and taking responsibility of personal actions, but over time fewer people accept this life style.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from substance use or engaging in addictive activities, people with addiction seem to live deprived from a clear sense of meaning and purpose in life (e.g., Didelot, Hollingsworth, & Buckenmeyer, 2012;Johnson, Griffin-Shelley, & Sandler, 1987). There is a need for them to create a new interpretation of their world, to experience coherence in life, to restore dignity as well as a sense of community and attachment (Wiklund, 2008b).…”

Section: Meaninglessness In Life In Addictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Addiction in existential positive psychology (EPP, PP2.0): from a critique of the brain disease model towards a meaning-centered approach

Carreno

Pérez-Escobar

2019

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

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Addiction is widely considered to be a chronic brain disease. Therefore, neuroscientists have spent lots of resources to develop medicines to palliate addiction. However, the brain disease model presents serious epistemological and practical limitations. Firstly, this article collects some important critiques to the medical model and calls for a more pluralistic approach to addiction. Secondly, we discuss the problematic self-regulation of people with addiction from an existential positive perspective (also termed PP2.0). People with addiction, no matter whether it is related to substance abuse, gambling, internet surfing, shopping or eating, usually manifest existential struggles that could account for the development and maintenance of their addiction. Relational problems, evasion of guilt and responsibility, and a lack of meaning in life have been evidenced in the addiction literature. At the base of this psychological problem, there are both an inability to cope with the dark side of life and a maladaptive search for positive emotions that cannot be naturally obtained from meaningful social interactions. Finally, the Meaning-Centered Approach (MCA) is proposed for addiction recovery. MCA helps clients find a purpose in life and integrate into society. This existential positive approach can be a fundamental complement for mainstream addiction treatments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%