title: 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.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003379:Countertransference; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*