Format
Scientific article
Publication Date
Published by / Citation
Dilts, S. L., Clark, C. A., & Harmon, R. J. (1997). Self-disclosure and the treatment of substance abuse. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 14(1), 67–70. doi: 10.1016/s0740-5472(96)00191-2
Original Language

English

Keywords
substance abuse treatment
addiction
self-disclosure
Alcoholics Anonymous
transference

Self-Disclosure and the Treatment of Substance Abuse

Abstract

The identification and treatment of the substance-abusing physician has led to outcome studies focusing on years of abstinence and resultant work performance, but little has been written addressing the therapeutic changes recovery brings in the personal lives of these physicians or in their approach to similarly addicted patients. The unique position of recovering psychiatrists engaged in the treatment of substance-abusing patients has not been addressed. Self-disclosure is a major issue and becomes unavoidable if the psychiatrists meet their patients at Twelve-Step meetings. This paper begins a discussion of the issues of self-disclosure and anonymity for recovering psychiatrists. The informal method used to gather information highlights the sensitivity of these issues for both patients and psychiatrists. The clinical examples show the importance of evaluating the psychodynamic impact of self-disclosure on the patient, the psychiatrist, and their treatment relationship.