Reminiscence of an addictionologist: thoughts of a researcher and clinician.

The changes in the field of addiction are discussed from the prospective of twenty-two years of work as a researcher and clinician. The growing importance and relevance of twelve step programs to clinical practice is explored as is the changing experiences of working with early stage alcoholics. This is followed by a discussion of the interaction the research and clinical aspects of chemical dependency. Behavioral and learning theory in relationship to chemical dependency, the disease concept and the importance of the incubation period, withdrawal syndromes, and hereditary aspects of chemical dependency are all discussed.