The author discusses how a lack of a healthy attachment to the caregiver can predispose an individual to alcoholism. Masterson’s conceptualization of disorders of the self is examined as a possible explanation for the development of alcoholic tendencies as children become adults. Difficulties attaching to caregivers interfere with the child’s separation from the caregiver and the eventual development of an individual self, leaving the child vulnerable to developing a co-existing disorder of the self. As such, the author asserts that when an accurate diagnosis of the disorder of the self is made, alcoholism treatment should work in concert with Masterson’s approach to the treatment of disorders of the self. The author outlines how Alcoholics Anonymous may be combined with Masterson’s object-relations treatment of disorders of the self to produce a positive outcome for the patient. It is contended that the combined treatment is more clinically effective than simply alcoholism treatment because the underlying reason for alcoholism is confronted and overcome. References