Individual psychotherapy for addicted clients: an application of control mastery theory

This article presents an overview of Control Mastery Theory, developed by Joseph Weiss, and applies this theory to the treatment of alcohol- and other drug-addicted clients. The article proposes that individual psychotherapy, in conjunction with self-help and other chemical dependency treatment programs, may be a significant component of the treatment of addicted clients. According to Weiss's theory, addicted clients are suffering not only from the direct effects of addictive disease but are also often suffering from unconscious pathogenic beliefs acquired from childhood experiences. Pathogenic beliefs result in shame, guilt, fear, and inhibitions that predate the development of addiction. Addicted clients are highly motivated unconsciously to recover from their addiction and to pursue normal goals. They are hindered by their pathogenic beliefs and by the effects of their addiction. They enter treatment with an unconscious plan to stop using drugs and to disprove their pathogenic beliefs. They test their pathogenic beliefs in relation to the therapist, with the hope of obtaining evidence against these beliefs. As the therapist passes the client's tests, these beliefs are modified and the client is helped to recover.