Trauma and Addiction: Ending the Cycle of Pain Through Emotional Literacy

This latest book identifies the interconnection of trauma and addictive behavior, and shows why they can become an unending cycle. Emotional and psychological pain so often lead to self-medicating, which leads to more pain, and inevitably more self-medicating, and so on--ad infinitum. This groundbreaking book offers readers effective ways to work through their traumas in order to heal their addictions and their predilection toward what clinicians call self-medicating (the abuse of substances [alcohol, drugs, food], activities [work, sex, gambling, etc.] and/or possessions [money, material things].) Readers caught up in the endless cycle of trauma and addiction will permanently transform their lives by reading this book.

Therapists treating patients for whom no other avenue of therapy has proved effective will find that this book offers practical, lasting solutions. Case studies and examples of this behavioral phenomenon will illustrate the connection, helping readers understand its dynamics, recognize their own situations and realize that they are not alone in experiencing this syndrome. The author deftly combines the longstanding trauma theories of Van der Kolk, Herman, Bowlby, Krystal and others with her own experiential methods using psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy in the treatment of addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder. While designed to be useful to therapists, this book will also be accessible to trade readers. It includes comprehensive references, as well as a complete index.

For the past decade, author Tian Dayton has been researching trauma and addiction, and how psychodrama (or sociometry group psychotherapy) can be used in their treatment. Since trauma responses are stored in the body, a method of therapy that engages the body through role play can be more effective in accessing the full complement of trauma-related memories.

This latest book identifies the interconnection of trauma and addictive behavior, and shows why they can become an unending cycle. Emotional and psychological pain so often lead to self-medicating, which leads to more pain, and inevitably more self-medicating, and so on--ad infinitum. This groundbreaking book offers readers effective ways to work through their traumas in order to heal their addictions and their predilection toward what clinicians call self-medicating (the abuse of substances [alcohol, drugs, food], activities [work, sex, gambling, etc.] and/or possessions [money, material things].) Readers caught up in the endless cycle of trauma and addiction will permanently transform their lives by reading this book.

Therapists treating patients for whom no other avenue of therapy has proved effective will find that this book offers practical, lasting solutions. Case studies and examples of this behavioral phenomenon will illustrate the connection, helping readers understand its dynamics, recognize their own situations and realize that they are not alone in experiencing this syndrome. The author deftly combines the longstanding trauma theories of Van der Kolk, Herman, Bowlby, Krystal and others with her own experiential methods using psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy in the treatment of addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder. While designed to be useful to therapists, this book will also be accessible to trade readers. It includes comprehensive references, as well as a complete index.

Library Journal

Addicts and their families are victims of posttraumatic stress disorder, argues Dayton, a therapist specializing in addiction treatment. As such, they are numbed, unable to identify their emotions and respond to them suitably so that they can cope with addiction and other problems. A number of techniques are discussed for developing this "emotional literacy," including letter-writing, journal-keeping, analyzing family photographs, and psychodrama. As with many therapy books, only anecdotal evidence is offered, so readers are unable to gauge the validity of Dayton's sweeping statements about large groups of people. On the other hand, a number of people clearly experience unhappy and insecure childhoods and must deal with the aftereffects. The advice offered here seems useful and sensible, but much of it can be applied only in a recovery group. In other words, this clearly isn't meant to be a self-help book, but it doesn't seem to be written for a professional audience either. This lack of focus makes the title of marginal interest.--Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

TIAN DAYTON, Ph.D., T.E.P., is a therapist in private practice in New York City. In addition to her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, she also holds a master's degree in educational psychology. A fellow of the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama and a faculty member of the Drama Therapy Department at New York University, Dayton presents psychodrama workshops and training nationally. She is also a practioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy. In her own practice, she continually witnesses sociometry group therapy and psychodrama working most effectively in resolving issues of PTSD, reducing relapse and allowing addicts, adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs), and spouses an arena in which to confront their issues and work through them toward successful healing.

She is the author of Heartwounds, The Soul's Companion, The Quiet Voice of the Soul, The Drama Within, Keeping Love Alive, Daily Affirmations for Forgiving and Moving On, and Daily Affirmations for Parents.