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Twelve‐step facilitation (TSF) is becoming an important approach to the therapy of addiction. It proved an equally effective method as one of the three psychosocial approaches used in Project MATCH during the 90s1‐with the added advantage of helping drinkers to replace prodrinking networks with more supportive peers2. Here Addiction Series editor Martin Weegmann and Tim Leighton share their experiences of using the twelve‐step methods and describe the skills and techniques that can be used by any therapist on almost any client.

Addictions without substance editor Martin Weegmann explains why treating a substance user in isolation risks failure ‐ unless family, friends and the wider circle of interested parties are taken into account. Martin outlines well‐tried methods to help the carers of substance users help themselves and in so doing help the user.

This paper explores some of the historical tensions between Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or fellowship groups and the professional world and advocates the need for partnership and healthy dialogue between ideas from different traditions. A case example is presented combining psychotherapy and AA, leading to an elaboration of the concept of narrative and the importance of spiritual or value‐change.

This paper introduces narrative theory and therapy, showing its relevance to addiction and recovery. A variety of techniques and clinical sensitivities are illustrated, the purpose of which is to enable clients to change.

The concept of work discussion groups, originating with Michael Balint, is explained. The contribution of such groups to substance misuse services is explained and three examples given.

Addiction is never a straightforward matter. There are hundreds of models and thousands of commentators. Many models have profound implications on the interventions encountered by people with drug problems. The school of psychodynamics is one such school. It has its own language and its own set of understandings, interventions and theoretical underpinnings. In this, the fifth of our series, Bill Reading outlines some of the defining characteristics of psychodynamic approaches. In this concise summary we look at how the different approaches can be used to good effect in the demanding world of addiction.