Self-Organizing Therapeutic Systems in Outpatient Therapy of Borderline Patients with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Using a clinical case of three brothers, we discuss a spontaneous, self-organizing family system framework that prevents withdrawal from therapy and acting-out of the borderline clients diagnosed with alcohol dependence. This multi-family framework includes several family members and rests on the symbiotic and co-dependent relational patterns between the clients and their mothers. We discuss the positive and negative aspects of this framework and options for changing it.