John Bowlby Memorial Conference 19 - 20 April 2013, London
Addictions from an Attachment Perspective
A conference about other new ways of thinking about addiction and the importance of attachment in this field, based on John Bowlby’s lifetime of work dedicated to the development of our understanding of the importance of human attachment in all our lives and in the lives of children in particular.
Our Need for a Secure Base
‘For not only young children, it is now clear, but human beings of all ages are being found to be at their happiest and to be able to deploy their talents to best advantage when they are confident that standing behind them are one or more trusted persons who will come to their aid should difficulties arise. The person trusted provides a secure base from which his (or her) companion can operate.’
Bowlby, 1973
Heavy drinking as a problem of affect regulation…
‘Many of the most intense emotions arise during the formation, the maintenance, the disruption and the renewal of attachment relationships. The formation of a bond is described as falling in love, maintaining a bond as loving someone, and losing a partner as grieving over someone. Similarly, threat of loss arouses anxiety, the actual loss gives rise to sorrow; whilst each of these situations is likely to arouse anger. The unchallenged maintenance of a bond is experienced as source of security and the renewal of a bond as a source of joy.’
Bowlby, 1980
With thanks to Professor Arlene Vetere for quotations.
Addictions from an Attachment Perspective
A conference about other new ways of thinking about addiction and the importance of attachment in this field, based on John Bowlby’s lifetime of work dedicated to the development of our understanding of the importance of human attachment in all our lives and in the lives of children in particular.
Our Need for a Secure Base
‘For not only young children, it is now clear, but human beings of all ages are being found to be at their happiest and to be able to deploy their talents to best advantage when they are confident that standing behind them are one or more trusted persons who will come to their aid should difficulties arise. The person trusted provides a secure base from which his (or her) companion can operate.’
Bowlby, 1973
Heavy drinking as a problem of affect regulation…
‘Many of the most intense emotions arise during the formation, the maintenance, the disruption and the renewal of attachment relationships. The formation of a bond is described as falling in love, maintaining a bond as loving someone, and losing a partner as grieving over someone. Similarly, threat of loss arouses anxiety, the actual loss gives rise to sorrow; whilst each of these situations is likely to arouse anger. The unchallenged maintenance of a bond is experienced as source of security and the renewal of a bond as a source of joy.’
Bowlby, 1980
With thanks to Professor Arlene Vetere for quotations.
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