GESTALTING ADDICTION: Speaking Truth to the Power and Definition of Addiction, Addiction Theory, and Addiction Treatment (FACES OF ADDICTION SERIES)

This book is written to speak truth to addiction, and to what we are told is addiction. This book is also written to speak some truth to power (or to what would have itself perceived as power), and to power’s history, even to power’s distortions. This suggests we may have to revise or add to our understandings of addiction, and of the theories that have driven the addiction treatment field.Speaking truth to the power of addiction is essential. For some people, this power is a belief or theory, for others this power is a person, behavior, or drug, or some other focus, center, or object of addiction. For many, this power is the power our brains and minds give problem patterns and addictions. Whatever form of power you are challenging, standing up to this power, even to the addictive nature of this power, is key in breaking free of this power itself, and in overcoming the addiction to this power. It is essential that we be on the lookout for the inadvertent and sometimes also purposeful imposing of flawed practices, theories, and beliefs, on clients and patients in treatment. I have seen too much of this imposition by those who claim they are the experts in the “field/s” such as addiction treatment field/s.