Alcoholism, Narcissism, and Psychopathology

This book is an innovative analysis of the interrelationship between the alcoholic's behavioral disorders and his or her intrapsychic processes. It is a systematic, comprehensive, profound exploration of the psychopathology and treatment of alcoholism.

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Shunning the disease model of alcoholism, this book delineates how narcissistic injury in early life acts as the basic psychogenic, etiological, component of addictive drinking. It provides an innovative analysis of the interrelationships between the alcoholic's overt behavioral disorders and his or her psychological make_up. Early chapters explore the role of narcissistic injury in great depth. Successive discussions examine the pathologies of character, personality, behavior, cognition and interpersonal relationships that manifest themselves in and as alcoholism. The part that early-life narcissistic injury plays in the development of anxiety, oral rage, avoidance defenses, depression, sadomasochism, paranoia, guilt, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors is detailed. A veteran of extensive work with alcoholics, the author delineates treatment strategies to modify and resolve the alcoholic's symptoms_the drinking disorder as well as the other psychological manifestations of dysfunction. Among the strategies explored in this regard are analytic, family, conjoint, behavioral, confrontation, supportive and self-help modalities. The trenchant case studies found throughout the text amplify the author's points about the global and specific psychopathology of alcoholism as well as the interventive alternatives. Alcoholism, Narcissism, and Psychopathology will prove stimulating and resourceful to psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, counselors and therapists who are involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics and other substance abusers.