Abstract
The author reviews countertransference in relation to the psychodynamics of substance abusers. The contemporary view of countertransference acknowledges the importance of reciprocal cycles of interaction between patients and therapists. These cycles can now be viewed as a pathway for change for the substance-abusing patient. The six phenomena that are fused with countertransference (i.e., parallel process, codependence, denial, enabling, burnout, and family of origin) are discussed in detail.