It may be time for a closer look at some of our assumptions about addiction. Between the predominance of 12-step programs and incorrect information issued by the press, thousands of people are getting misinformation instead of the help they need. Lance Dodes, in his book The Heart of Addiction, reexamines common myths and provides a world of new recommendations aimed at helping anyone with an addiction, be it to gambling, alcohol, or prescription medications.

People who are social drinkers may occasionally suffer problems because of their drinking, but it is rare. On the other hand, people with alcoholism *usually* suffer with problems as a result of their drinking.

In many cases addictive behavior serves to ward off a sense of helplessness or powerlessness via controlling and regulating one's affective state. Addicts have a vulnerability to feelings of powerlessness, which reflects a specific narcissistic impairment.

Through working intensively with people suffering with alcoholism, psychoanalysts have learned about many psychological factors that contribute to compulsive drinking.