Psychoanalytic Understanding and Treatment of Addiction

with Lance Dodes, M.D.

This program will examine modern psychoanalytic understanding and treatment of addiction. We will consider the nature of addiction, the relative importance of psychological and non-psychological (physical, genetic) factors, the relationship of addictions to compulsions, the statistical effectiveness and psychology of self-help groups, treatment of couples, distinguishing addiction from non-addiction abuse, the addiction inpatient rehabilitation industry, and commonly held myths about addiction.

Learning Objectives

1. To define facts and principles that identify a new way to understand and treat addiction.
2. To describe facts that identify the relative roles of physical and psychological factors in addiction.
3. To describe the evidence for and applicability of adjunctive treatments for addiction in addition to psychotherapy.

Lance Dodes, M.D. is a Training and Supervising Analyst Emeritus at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and has retired from his position as assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.  He has been the Director of the substance abuse treatment unit of Harvard’s McLeanHospital, Director of the Alcoholism Treatment Unit at SpauldingRehabilitationHospital and Director of the BostonCenter for Problem Gambling.  He has been Chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association's discussion group, The Psychology of Addiction.   He is the author or co-author of a number of journal articles and book chapters about addiction, and is the author of three books: The Heart of Addiction (HarperCollins, 2002), Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction (HarperCollins, 2011), and The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry (Beacon Press, 2014; senior author).  Dr. Dodes has been honored by the Division on Addictions at Harvard Medical School for "Distinguished Contribution" to the study and treatment of addictive behavior, and has been elected a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. 

Fee $150 / $135 members
$75 residents & interns—Please call to register!
Full-time students—Please call for fee and to register! 

Register Here

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Oregon Psychoanalytic Center. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of this CME program have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.