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

Abstract
Countertransferential and attitudinal considerations were explored 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 was applied to the treatment of drug dependency, 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 were discussed. A number of examples are provided of patient-induced countertransferential reactions, in addition to specific attitudinal factors often present in the treatment of addiction.

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