Recovery from addiction takes a huge investment of energy. That energy is less available when diluted by defensiveness. Addicts can create their own defensiveness, but they are also surrounded by a cloud of defensiveness generated by would-be “advocates.”

For example, addiction to internet pornography has grown rapidly in recent years, and some suspect it has boosted sex crime. Many people seek help for this habit, and an effective behavior modification program has emerged. YourBrainOnPorn.com is full of testimonials from grateful individuals who have gotten their lives back. But this successful program is constrained by a cloud of defensiveness.