In Western culture we see ourselves as autonomous individuals living fairly independent lives. This worldview is transferred into the clinical approach known as the psychomedical model. This treatment paradigm is very focused on the individual as the entity of study.

Most psychologists would agree that we inherit most of our world-view from our family and the broader society in which we live. We learn what is right and wrong and what behaviour is good or bad from our family. The way we talk, our language and accent, is learned from those around us.

It appears that although we consider ourselves independent we are still very much the product of the social system in which we grow up. The African word "ubuntu" is used to convey the sense that are humanity is inextricably linked with how we relate to other humans. We are human because we live and operate in human society.

Less philosophically, let us ponder whether it is valid to treat somebody without looking at the context in which they live. It seems reductionist to simply list symptoms and form a diagnosis without investigating why certain behaviours are elicited and trying to find reason behind the "madness". If we look at the context in which behaviour occurs then we could start to see how maladaptive behaviour "makes sense".

A systemic diagnosis will view the person through a variety of lenses and develop a rich understanding of the context in which that person lives.

If we help the alcoholic to reframe his/her context such that using drugs is no longer required or effective then we will go a long way in promoting long-lasting sobriety.