Addiction as a Relationship: When Substance Use Becomes a Way of Regulating the Psyche
In public discourse, addiction is often described in oversimplified terms. At times, it is viewed as a moral failure, at others as a sign of weak character, and more recently, as a purely biological ‘brain disease. None of these approaches is entirely wrong. Yet none of them is sufficient Η κλινική εμπειρία, αλλά και η […]
Addiction as a Response to Social Decline and Loss of Meaning
When we talk about addiction, our perspective often becomes narrow. It focuses on the substance, the behavior, the ‘wrong choice’—as if the problem exists exclusively within the individual. However, both history and therapeutic practice suggest something different: addictions do not emerge in a vacuum. They arise during periods of social distress, disconnection, and loss of […]
Addiction as an Identity Story
A Narrative and Sociological Approach to Addiction Therapy Addiction is often treated as an individual pathology or a lack of self-control. This dominant perspective, though widespread, overlooks a crucial factor: identity. In practice, addiction is not just about the relationship with a substance or a behavior, but about a person’s relationship with themselves and the […]
Holidays and Substance Use: When Joy Coexists with Difficulty
Holidays are often described as a period of light, connection, and rest. In public discourse, they appear almost monochromatic: family dinners, smiles, wishes, “let’s have a good time.” However, in clinical practice, and often in people’s private experience, holidays are something more complex. They are a period when emotions that remain on the periphery throughout […]
When Addiction Says ‘I’m in Control’: How We Reclaim Our Own Voice Through Narrative Therapy
Addiction’s Frequent Phrase: ‘I’m in Control’ In psychotherapeutic practice with individuals striving to negotiate their relationship with addiction, a phrase recurs repeatedly: “I’m in control.” I encounter it very frequently, and almost never do I hear it as a sign of weakness. On the contrary, I view it as a human endeavor for stability, normalcy, […]
Why do gambling games become more addictive the faster they are?
In public discourse, the player is often portrayed as a “weak character” who “cannot control themselves.” Much less frequently do we discuss the game itself: how it is designed to keep individuals at the table or in front of the screen for as long as possible. One of the most critical, yet often invisible, elements […]
How Addiction Changes Our Relationship with Ourselves
Nowadays, addiction is often presented as a pathology that “resides” within the individual. As a flaw in character, a biological or psychological defect, that makes a person “vulnerable,” “defective,” “inadequate.” This narrative, however “scientific” it may seem, rarely helps. More often, it causes harm. Because every time we define addiction exclusively as a disease, the […]
The Multiple Facets of Alcohol: Neurological, Social, Psychological
Alcohol is one of the most widespread socially consumed substances; however, its “legal” social form should not mislead us. In this article, we explore: (a) the neurobiological effects of alcohol consumption on the brain, (b) its sociological and cultural implications — within the “culture of consumption” analyzed by Michael White — and (c) the psychological […]
Cannabis: Risks, Potential Benefits, and the Limits of Scientific Knowledge
Cannabis (Cannabis sativa / indica) is currently one of the most discussed psychoactive plants—sometimes seen as a “natural” alternative, and other times as a potential threat to mental health. The truth, as is often the case, lies somewhere in the middle (WHO, 2023). 1. The “New” Cannabis — Potency and Composition In recent years, the […]
What is the most difficult substance to overcome an addiction to?
The truth is that for no substance or behavior can we a priori predict its therapeutic course. Every addiction is a relationship that serves a specific purpose in an individual’s life. The individual is called upon to identify, analyze, and ultimately heal this purpose. However, there are certain elements that are useful for understanding which […]