The Treatment of Substance Addiction with Focus on the Family of Origin as Possible Cause of Addiction

Abstract

Although substance addiction is treated by means of different treatment programmes in South Africa, it seems that the level of self-actualisation and changes in the addict’s relationships are problematic. A preliminary literature review indicated that the family of origin could be one of the causes of addiction. The aim of the research was firstly to develop a treatment plan that focuses on the family of origin as a cause of addiction, and secondly to evaluate the treatment plan in order to determine the level of self-actualisation and the changes in the addict’s relationships with the “self” and others, after treatment. The family systems and relations theories served as the theoretical framework for the study. The treatment plan that focuses on the family of origin as a cause of addiction was implemented by therapists during an empirical investigation to determine the effectiveness of the treatment programme. The findings of the research indicated that both therapists and addicts had a positive experience of the treatment plan with improvements in self-actualisation, as well as changes in meaningful relationships occurring.