EP05 Topical Panel 18 - Treating Addictions - Claudia Black, PhD; Robert Dilts; James Hillman, PhD; Scott Miller, PhD

Description:

Educational Objectives:

1. To compare and contrast clinical and philosophical perspectives of experts.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

Panel Introduction

• Betty Alice Erickson opens the discussion on addiction treatment.

• Claudia Black: Expert in addictive family systems, consultant at the Meadows Institute.

• Robert Dilts: Co-founder of NLP University, expert in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).

• Scott Miller: Specialist in therapeutic change, co-founder of the Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change.

• James Hillman: Renowned psychotherapist and author of The Soul’s Code.

Claudia Black on Addiction and Recovery

• Reflects on 30+ years in addiction treatment and the powerful transformation possible through recovery.

• Stresses addiction's widespread impact—on individuals, families, and communities.

• Emphasizes addiction is treatable and recovery involves significant character change.

• Notes alcohol is the most common drug of choice, followed by rising prescription drug misuse.

Evolving Understanding of Addiction

• Addiction now seen as more than single-substance abuse—includes behavioral/process addictions and co-occurring disorders.

• Trauma plays a key role in addiction and relapse.

• Effective treatment requires addressing all addictive behaviors, not just one.

• Highlights value of family involvement and gender-specific programming.

NLP Approach by Robert Dilts

• Addiction occurs across multiple levels: environment, behavior, cognition, beliefs, and identity.

• NLP helps “reprogram” addictive patterns using coaching, mentoring, and systems thinking.

• Focuses on addressing codependency and the broader system surrounding the person.

Evidence-Based Treatment Insights by Scott Miller

• Reviews findings from Project MATCH—no single treatment (CBT, 12-step, MI) outperformed the others.

• Emphasizes the therapeutic alliance (client's connection with the therapist) as the strongest predictor of success.

• Cannabis Youth Project similarly showed no significant difference across treatment types—relationship mattered most.

Family Involvement in Treatment

• Claudia Black and Duke Stanton underscore how family engagement boosts treatment success and retention.

• Stanton cites meta-analysis showing strong outcomes for family therapy in addiction.

• Family involvement is critical not only for entering treatment but for sustaining long-term recovery.

Q&A: Specific Treatment Topics

• Methadone: Viewed as a useful tool, but not a full solution—comprehensive care is still essential.

• NLP for behavioral addictions: Effective when treatment focuses on clear goals and adaptable tools.

• Anger as an addiction:

  • Claudia shares a story of a man whose rage mirrored his father’s—his first addiction.

  • Dilts describes a woman who used anger to separate from her alcoholic mother.

  • Panelists agree: an addiction model for anger can be valid and effective.