Michael Stein's Memoir: The Addict Michael Stein's

MICHAEL STEIN'S MEMOIR: THE ADDICT Michael Stein's Memoir Relationships Relationships with family Addiction psychology deals with clinical psychology and involves the collection of data and information to perform diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and post-treatment assessment of substance addicts. The psychologists and clinicians rely on information gathered by eminent researchers in the field studies and co-relate the symptoms and treatment performed in case study researches. By application of concepts, ideas, treatment interventions, and rehab initiatives, medical professionals try to create value for both the addict and the surrounding environment.

Since addictions are broadly categorized into two subcategories, substance addition and process addiction, present study only includes literature based on substance addiction. Michael Stein's book called 'The Addict' assumes the central theme of the paper with an emphasis on 'relationships' dynamics of substance addiction. Empirical research findings from peer reviewed literature will also be described to substantiate the discussion along with citation of book's text. Relationships Eldred and Washington (1976) described the importance of relationships in context of heroin addicts.

The authors observed that empirical data suggests that men start taking drugs by same sex suppliers and same is true for women. The consumption of drugs in context of women addicts was observed to take place in mixed gatherings, same sex gatherings, and with opposite sex partners. Thus, during these drug consumption sessions, some of the addicts form long-term relationships with drug partners. Such a relation was also developed by Lucy, the central character in 'The Addict' (Stein, 2009). Eldred, et al.

(1976) mentioned that spouse relationships were important in encouraging the addicts to recover from extreme addiction through treatment. On the contrary, the key relationship that Lucy had in Stein's narrative was opposite and joined her in substance abuse sessions. Lucy's relationship with her boyfriend, who also happened to consume excessive amount of substances such as heroin, was deeply troubled due to substance abuse. Eldred, et al. (1976) mentioned that treatment of drug abuse cases was achieved through an encouragement to register for the treatment in clinical facilities.

Such encouragement was observed to be necessary for patient's health and his/her willingness to get treated by a clinical professional. 'The Addict' provides the narrative where Lucy develops a troubled relationship with her boyfriend and Michael Stein used the role of Lucy's boyfriend to depict the central role of relationships in aggravating or treating substance addicts. In case of her boyfriend, the relationship is presented as being detrimental to Lucy as both are involved in substance consumption.

On the other hand, the relationship of the clinical psychologist, the author himself, is that of conciliatory nature. Despite just being a professional treating the patient, the gradually building empathetic relationship is evident as the narrative progresses. Stein not only wants to cure Lucy but also to help her unveil her secrets that have compelled her into such a situation of being drug addict. McKeganey (2000) conducted an empirical investigation into the factors that extreme drug addicts, while engaged in treatment of their addiction, used to prevent themselves from re-lapse.

Having interviewed 70 drug addicts and collection of the data related to their activities and preferences, the author observed that two main strategies were used by addicts to prevent relapse situation. Firstly the addicts disconnected themselves from drug-using network and close relationships that shared their habit of drug addiction. Thus, Stein as Lucy's therapist also encourages her to withdraw from her relationship with her boyfriend since this particular relationship was preventing her from leaving the drugs altogether.

As the narrative in Michael Stein's book proceeds, it becomes evident that the author has got himself developed as a 'support' to the drug abuse patient, Lucy. The need for presence of support in form of counselor or a close relationship to recover from addiction is also discussed by Palmer and Daniluk (2007). The study conducted empirical investigation of factors was observed during a qualitative analysis of six patients recovering from substance abuse chronic illness.

The authors also suggested that another important aspect of recovering is the sense of belongingness that is required by the healing addict. Findings of this study were corroborated by other findings in which relationships and hope were deemed necessary for recovery of addict (Koehn & Cutcliffe, 2012).

Same is observed in the narrative presented in 'The Addict' where Lucy develops this sense of belongingness with the author and the feelings are reciprocated by the therapist as well, though in strict professional context.Healthy and unhealthy both relationships are depicted in the book. Relationships with family Lucy did not have healthy relationship with her family.

One particular instance where the author emphasizes the role played by a relation that is being trusted by the patient, it is observed that this role way played by the author himself as only Stein was the person on whom Lucy trusted. The following lines also verify that Stein did win the trust of Lucy, "The sickest parts...are the parts addicts can't tell anyone, the parts they aren't ready to tell me until I've known them for a year or more" (Stein, 2009; Pg. 30).

Since Lucy did not maintain healthy relationships with her family members due to certain incidents that took place during her childhood, Stein explains that he tried to bring Lucy's family into the aspect of Lucy's recovery by addressing the deepest of psychological issues that Lucy faced.This was done by giving herextra time and except the treatment time scheduled by him.

The therapist, Stein, was however adamant on inclusion of some of the family members of Lucy in the treatment and recovery process as he did not want her to have weak support systems during the process of recovery. The case for inclusion of Lucy's facility was clearly mentioned by the author such as when Stein said, "When patients bring in family and friend. I can identify an ally who might assist me. I will have a witness, someone who can confirm my instructions, corroborate what I say" (Stein, 2009; Pg. 81).

Knight and Simpson (1996) also mentioned that family support structures are helpful in facilitating the recovery process and prevention from relapse, provided family members or any one of the members have positive and healthy relationship with the recovering patient. While the book weaves a compelling narrative of a successful intervention instance, it also describes important themes of comorbidity, heredity & family, treatment approaches, violence, and all important issue of relationships.