Neurotics seek help because their discomfort does not cease, but repeats in subjectively meaningless and vicious cycles that limit their freedom and stereotype their lives. Neurotics are not stupid but they fail to learn from painful experience, which they repeat as if compelled.

What arose as such a treatment for neurotics was psychoanalysis. What arose for addicts was Alcoholics Anonymous. These two approaches possess a great deal in common, and their differences, while few, may warrant commentary.