Claudia Bepko - Böcker

Bepko and Krestan integrate theory and practice in describing the treatment of families with alcohol problems.“This book is the outgrowth of seven years of work in which we have made an attempt to integrate our own understanding of alcoholic dynamics within the framework of systemic family therapy. Since we share both a commitment to the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as a commitment to approaching problems from a systemic viewpoint, it has always been a source of concern for us that the fields of alcoholism treatment and family therapy seem so polarized in their respective views on the nature of alcoholism as a symptomatic process. Our hope is that this book can provide a bridge between those two viewpoints as well as some new ways of looking at alcoholism that can be clinically useful and relevant to other practitioners.” —from The Responsibility Trap

Feminism is a beneficial force in addictions therapy as they have the same goals--mending imbalances of power. A variety of important topics related to addictions treatment are addressed in this timely volume, accompanied by concrete clinical solutions for therapists and counselors to use in their own practice. Feminism and Addiction demonstrates the positive impact feminism can have on addictions treatment. Addictions treatment methods that have been developed primarily based on research with men are examined and questioned to determine what changes need to be made to meet the needs of women. The applicability of twelve-step treatment programs, for example, is investigated as to whether its required adoption of belief in powerlessness is concurrent with feminism’s battle with female subjugation. This thought-provoking volume contains the most current theoretical, social, and clinical issues enmeshed in the debates between men’s experiences and women’s experiences of addiction. Critical issues addressed include advice for how to deal with issues of codependency; how to treat clients faced with physical or sexual abuse in addition to addiction; how to integrate cultural differences into treatment; and how to face the particular difficulties of gay and lesbian clients in addictions treatment. This valuable book will help you apply constructivist approaches to build therapy methods which are collaborative, internal, and organic, thus more appropriate to treating women’s experience with addiction. Feminism and Addiction helps family therapists who work with women and their families strike a unique balance between the principles of feminism and family therapy’s goal of repairing and healing relationships between men and women.