INTRODUCTION

摘要

Another title for the conference might have been "Is addiction a search for a secure base?" A place identified by John Bowlby as fundamental in the healthy development of a person's life since we have attachment needs as he said, "from the cradle to the grave". The question is then "Does addiction provide the soothing and safety which are the features of an internalised secure base and from which the person can then emerge and engage in exploration?" To a person experiencing an addiction the illusory response is yes, it is a necessity.