Understanding Dissociative Disorders & Addiction

Part of Hazelden’s Co-occurring Disorders Series
Revised Edition
Author: A. Scott Winter, MD

Excerpt from the Introduction:
“This pamphlet is written for people who are struggling with two serious illnesses: chemical dependency and the bewildering often frightening mental problem known as dissociation.

Dissociation is an extreme response to stress, a response that causes the  mind to separate certain memories or emotions from a person’s conscious awareness.  This separation – sometimes called “splitting off” – may lead to partial or total amnesia.”