Relating to the other

Truth and untruth in addiction

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23237456
AutoresRyan Kemp (0000-0002-1164-4923, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, autor de correspondencia)
Año2009
Volumen11
Número4
Páginas355-368
Fecha de publicación2009-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEuropean Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1364-2537 • E-ISSN: 1469-5901
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13642530903444787
OpenAlexW2035094883
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas7

The author argues that relations between addicts and others are dominated by untruth. Lying is explored with regards to its origin in the primordial desire for love, while it is argued that the addict regards every question posed to them as a question about their lovability. The place of deception in Twelve-Step Fellowship movement is noted and it is also argued that the latter's notion of ‘rock bottom’ can be understood existentially as that place where truth cannot be denied. It is further argued that addiction itself is a form of untruth, which distorts or destroys the ambiguous lived tension of existence. This form of relating leads to the destruction of self-esteem, the development of shame and distrust and the breakdown of relationships. Truth is replaced by false narratives that are individualistic and alienating. Instead of ‘dwelling in truth’, the addict instrumentally alters their moods to suit their own needs. The addict escapes from this position by hitting ‘rock bottom’, accepting the process of truth and by opening up to the other. These notions are relayed through an exploration of phenomenological theorists and a grounded example.

Deception · Distrust · Epistemology · Lying · Narrative · Psychoanalysis · Shame · Sociology · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Foucault, Power, and Ethics · Philosophy · Philosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism · Psychology · Social Psychology