Evaluation of an Addiction Treatment Manual Integrating the 12 Steps with Psychodynamic Themes

Chemical dependency is a significant problem in current society. Studies have found that 12-step programs originating from the Alcoholics Anonymous model have produced the most significant help. Clinicians dealing with addictive behaviors would benefit from understanding the 12-step model when working with addicts and alcoholics. The aim of the current research was to gather psychodynamic concepts that could help clinicians understand the theoretical basis of 12-step programs. This was accomplished by first presenting a literature review on psychodynamic theories that could help explain the mechanisms of change seen in 12-step programs. From this literature, a manual was developed to describe each of the 12 steps through psychodynamic concepts. This dissertation includes an evaluation of that manual by three clinicians practicing from a psychodynamic perspective.