GAMES ALCOHOLICS PLAY: The Analysis of Life Scripts

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1971

With an introduction by the late Eric Berne to whom Dr. Steiner is beholden for the technique (not to mention the title) and with whom he worked, this is then again transactional analysis applied to the special problem of alcoholism here seen not as a disease but as a decision made early on in life. For those unfamiliar with this approach, or hostile to it, there are the everpresent, ever-ready cavils: the tic-tac-toe diagrams; the jargonese (trading stamps) sometimes extending into a foreign language (""harmatic scripts require tissue responses"") or extremism (the autistic child is withdrawing from parental stress?). But if you stick with it all will be explained quite accessibly, with some humor but not quite the Bernian panache, as is the system (about half the book here) of the three modalities (Child-Parent-Adult) and the early injunctions and pressures which lead to the adoption of certain decisions (or identity or life script) or on to the three types of alcoholic -- Drunk and Proud, Lush and Wino. The treatment (and we know this is an area most analysts shy away from) is also specific (Dr. Steiner is affiliated with a clinic dealing in drug and alcohol problems) -- group therapy works best -- down to illustrations from various life scripts involving Parent-Professor-Psychiatrist and the child-patient. Just how innovative or valid the games these doctors play really are has always been open to argument but in any case the presentation remains sophisticated and engaging.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Grove

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION