Attachment Infused Addiction Treatment (AIAT): When Vodka Makes More Sense Than People

Attachment Infused Addiction Treatment(R) (AIAT), When Vodka Makes More Sense Than People, is based on a simple proposal: individuals develop a secure attachment to substances to self-soothe in the absence of available caretakers. It is the foundation of this model that individuals who have experienced substantial attachment disruption struggle to effectively use the support offered by treatment professionals and the Twelve Step culture, and very often return to substance use. It can be a hopeless cycle, reinforcing the substance user's underlying belief that they are, in fact, too "damaged" or "broken" to achieve sobriety.

A large part of their treatment will include an intentional development of a social network as part of relapse prevention planning, with frequent reflection on their own attachment style and how their currently attachment strategies may or may not be impacting those around them. The Attachment Infused Addiction Treatment(R) (AIAT) program is a way to operationalize attachment theory for application in addiction treatment settings. I address both residential and outpatient, with case examples, assessment forms, and practical insight into what has, and has not, worked in my professional use of my model in my own Outpatient program.

Whether you are a seasoned clinical professional or just entering the behavioral health field, this text will deepen your understanding of the attachment process for both you and the client's you serve. More importantly, you will learn how to intervene effectively.