Related Experiment Videos
To surrender drugs: a grief process in its own right
1Howard University, Department of Psychology, Washington, DC 20059.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Addiction involves a grief reaction when substances are lost, as they fulfill needs and aid self-medication. This contrasts with past loss theories, highlighting drug-loss grief in recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Addictive substances are often central to an individual's life due to their need-gratifying and self-medication properties.
- The absence of these substances can trigger significant emotional distress.
Observation:
- Drug surrender is frequently accompanied by painful feelings of loss and helplessness.
- These experiences suggest a grief reaction specifically related to the loss of the addictive substance.
Findings:
- The study posits that grief reactions in recovering individuals are directly linked to the loss of the addictive substance itself.
- This perspective challenges theories attributing mourning solely to unresolved past losses of loved ones.
Implications:
- Understanding drug-loss grief is crucial for effective addiction treatment.
- Brief psychotherapy can be a valuable tool to help individuals navigate and cope with these grief reactions during recovery.