“Understanding and Treating Addictions” under the direction of G. Vitry

“Understanding and Treating Addictions” is a work directed by Grégoire Vitry, a renowned specialist in systemic and strategic therapy. This book offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding and treating addictions. It is aimed at mental health professionals, patients, and their families, offering practical tools and proven strategies for overcoming addictive behaviors.

Gregory Bateson saw alcohol dependence as a symptom of an inability to adapt. Can we talk about an addictive society? At what point in life does consumption become a problem? How has the vision of addiction evolved? Is it still seen as an illness or shameful behavior? How to treat new addictions? What are the consequences of addictions for families?

How do systemic approaches address all these questions today?

This work brings together texts related to conferences conducted by the LACT Research and Training Center in collaboration with the University of Paris 8 from 2019 to 2022. Doctors, addictologists, psychologists, practitioners and systemicists from around the world invite us to look back on their experience and their practice as addictologists around thematic debates to nourish contemporary and dynamic practical research.

This work reflects a convergence towards a systemic approach including the family, the environment, employment, and the root causes of addictions. Because treating addictions is not just about treating a pathology, it is about treating the relationship with the product, the relationship with the body, the relationship with oneself and with others, the relationship with time.

Authors 

Julia Alperovich, Alexandrina Beau, Claudia Black, Mario Blaise, Georges Brousse, Jean-Pierre Couteron, Christophe Cutarella, Jean-Michel Delile, Nathalie Duriez, Éric Hispard, Grégory Lambrette, Geert Lefevere, William Lowenstein, Matteo Papantuano, Claudette Portelli, Claude de Scorraille, Géraldine Talbot, Andrew Tatarsky, Grégoire Vitry.

Structure and Content of the Book  

The book is structured into several sections, each addressing different aspects of addictions and proposing treatment methods based on the systemic and strategic approach.

Theoretical Foundations:  

This section explores the theoretical basis of addiction, examining the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to dependence. It highlights the complexity of addictive behaviors and the need for a comprehensive approach to treating them.

Treatment Strategies:  

   - Grégoire Vitry and his co-authors detail various systemic and strategic brief therapy techniques. They explain how these methods can be applied to interrupt cycles of addiction and promote lasting change. Case studies illustrate the effectiveness of these strategies in real-world situations.

Practical Interventions:  

   - The book offers concrete interventions for therapists and counselors. These interventions include paradoxical prescriptions, behavioral tasks, and reframing techniques. The authors explain how to adapt these interventions to the specific needs of each patient.

Involvement of loved ones:  

   - An important section is devoted to the involvement of loved ones in the treatment process. It examines how family and social dynamics can support or hinder recovery, and offers strategies for mobilizing support from loved ones.

Prevention and Monitoring:  

   - This part discusses preventative measures and aftercare programs that can help maintain long-term abstinence. The authors discuss aftercare and support programs that are essential to preventing relapse.

Strong Points of the Book  

• Multidisciplinary approach:  
  •  “Understanding and Treating Addictions” integrates perspectives from psychology, sociology and medicine, providing a comprehensive understanding of addictions.
• Practicality:  
  • The strategies and interventions proposed are directly applicable in clinical practice, making this book particularly useful for mental health professionals.
• Concrete cases:  
  •  The case studies provide concrete examples of the application of theories and methods, illustrating their effectiveness and adaptability to different situations.

Conclusion  

“Understanding and Treating Addictions” under the direction of Grégoire Vitry is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the treatment of addictions. By combining theory and practice, this book provides the tools needed to help patients overcome their addictions and build healthier, more fulfilled lives. For more information, you can consult the LACT .

This book is an essential guide for those seeking to deepen their understanding of addictions and discover effective therapeutic approaches.

LACT Birthday

Because celebrating birthdays is also an opportunity to look back at how far we have come. Thank you to everyone who accompanied us on this path full of surprises and encounters.

• 2014 – Creation of LACT, representative of the Palo Alto School in France
  
• 2014 – Creation of LACT Research
  
• 2014 – Creation of the research network on systemic practice (SYPRENE)
  
• 2017 - DU in Relationship Clinic with Paris 8 University
• 2017 – Publication of When work hurts
• 2019 - Clinical Master's degree with specialization in psychopathology with the CTS of Professor Nardone
  
• 2020 - Systemic Coach Training
• 2020 – Publication of Change Strategies
• 2020 – Creation of SYPRES - www.syspres.org
  
• 2021 – HDS certification
  
• 2023 – Publication of Getting out of addiction?
  
• 2023 – Publication of Understanding and treating addictions
• 2023 – Organization of the first World Systemic Congress (WSC) – world-systemic-congress.org
  
• 2024 – DU Systemic and Strategic Approach to Education with Paris 8 University