"Self" and addiction: the role of imagery in self-regulation

In this paper we discuss the role of self-regulation and self-perception in sustaining addictive behavior. We suggest that self-regulation techniques are unlikely to have a sustained positive effect on changing addictive behavior in the absence of a change in "addict" self-perception. We describe treatment approaches that emphasize the use of guided imagery for facilitating a shift in self-perception that may be more compatible with self-regulation.