Drug Addiction as Attachment Trauma and Family as a Recovery Resource: Focusing on <Beautiful Boy>

Abstract

This study analyzes the process by which attachment trauma experienced during childhood leads to drug addiction, using the true story portrayed in Beautiful Boy. It explores the physical, psychological, and relational challenges faced by drug addicts and their families, as well as the co-dependent dynamics that arise within families affected by addiction. The narrative of Beautiful Boy is analyzed using a qualitative research approach, examining the experiences of both the protagonist, the drug addict, and the addicted family. The process from attachment trauma to addiction recovery is conceptualized as a spiral structure. At the individual level, six key themes were identified: “Attachment Disruption in Childhood,” “Addiction and Intense Drug Dependency,” “Loss of Control Over Drug Use,” and “Reaching Rock Bottom and the Emergence of a Recovery Will.” At the family level, two additional themes were identified: “Codependency within the Addicted Family System” and “Re-establishment of Family Boundaries.” The study contributes to the understanding of drug addiction and emphasizes the importance of family resources in the recovery process, re-examining the role of the family in addiction recovery.