Addiction and Trauma

Pursue the philosophical foundations of addiction in a series hosted by John T. Maier, psychotherapist and philosopher. This is the 3rd session in the philosophy of addiction series, and will focus on addiction and trauma.

Many psychologists think of addiction in terms of “self-medication,” as the treatment for an underlying disorder. Others think of it as a “trauma response.” What do these ways of conceiving of addiction tell us about the nature of mental disorder and its etiology?

Recommended Reading

• E.J. Khantzian, The Theory of Self-Medication and Addiction

• ABC All in the Mind, podcast with Gabor Maté and Marc Lewis