Journal of substance abuse treatment
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The basic thesis of this article is that addictive substances, because of their need-grafifying and self-medication value, become so central to the life of the addicted person that their absence is associated with a grief reaction. Painful feelings of loss and helplessness accompany drug surrender. ⋯ Also presented are case vignettes that demonstrate the grief aspects of drug surrender. Finally, the role of brief psychotherapy as a vehicle for helping clients cope with their grief reactions is discussed.