Trauma And Addiction

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. A Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Tian Dayton, Ph.D. ,TEP, holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, a master’s in educational psychology and is a certified trainer and practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy.  A fellow of the American Society of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, she is in private practice in New York City.  She speaks nationwide at conferences and has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, The John Walsh Show, Montel, Rikki Lake, Geraldo, America’s Health Network, Gary Null, NPR and many more.  She is the author of thirteen books.