Addiction Treatment: Using the Empty Chair

Abstract

The etiology of addiction includes complex biopsychosocial factors, but conceptualizing addiction as a result of an attachment disorder and consequent relational dysfunction gives psychotherapists a way to understand and treat addictions. This article presents this conceptualization and argues for the use of psychodrama and psychodrama action techniques in the treatment of addictive psychopathology. The author explores, in particular, the use of the empty-chair technique, presenting five common roles useful for our work.