Countertransferential and Attitudinal Considerations in the Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction

Abstract

This article explores countertransferential and attitudinal considerations in relation to their impact on the evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of drug-dependent individuals. Following a literature survey of the manner in which countertransference has been applied to the treatment of drug dependency, the authors discuss the status of the drug-dependent individual as a psychiatric patient and the resultant treatment implications when such a patient is viewed from within, rather than exclusive of, the mental health treatment delivery system. A number of examples are provided of patient-induced countertransferential reactions, in addition to specific attitudinal factors often present in the treatment of addiction.