Shame, Guilt, and Alcoholism: Treatment Issues in Clinical Practice

by Ronald T. Potter-Efron, Bruce Carruth

Explore the causes and effects of the shame/guilt/addiction cycle!Since the original edition in 1989, great strides have been made in understanding the overlapping functions of shame and guilt and the ways these painful emotions are linked with addictions. Shame, Guilt, and Treatment Issues in Clinical Practice, Second Edition, integrates up-to-date psychological research with penetrating insight into the emotional realities of substance abuse. It provides a clear and practical model for understanding the shame/guilt/addiction cycle.Shame, Guilt, and Alcoholism provides constructive suggestions to therapists for treating substance-abusing clients and their affected family members. By treating destructive, inappropriate, or excessive shame and guilt, therapists can help their clients free themselves from the downward spiral of addiction and begin to build on their genuine strengths. It explores the positive functions of shame and guilt, describes the conscious and subconscious defense mechanisms against them, and highlights the crucial family behaviors that initiate and encourage shame and guilt. Shame, Guilt, and Alcoholism thoroughly explains the significant differences between shame and guilt,

260 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 1988