The concept of self is one of the basics of psychology, and there are as many defintions of self as there are theorists. PPR defines self as a person's self-image; what a person believes about him or her self. There are three components of the self image.

The first component is the physical self. This is what a newborn baby is most aware of, and defines the baby's self-image. As a child develops, the next component of the self, the social self, affects the self-image. This is made up of messages received from other people; the way family and friends react to them. Since the social self is composed of outside reactions, it may or may not be based on accurate information.

The third component of the self-image is the true self. This is composed of a persons likes, dislikes, wants, needs, preferences, etc. These may be a result of heredity, environment, or an innate, unknown source. This should be the primary influence on the self-image.

In addiction, however, the true self becomes lost. As the drug use develops, the physical effects of the drug affect the physical self, and the physical self becomes a larger part of the self-image. At the same time, there is also more input from other people that makes the social self grow in the self-image. As a result, the true self becomes overwhelmed or displaced in the self-image. PPR offers ways to reconnect with the true self and to restore it a major part of the self-image.