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What can we learn from psychoanalysis and prospective studies about chemically dependent patients?
1serramos@terra.com.br
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|May 15, 2004
Summary
Psychoanalytic literature on drug dependency is sparse. This review highlights a persistent symbiotic object relationship and compromised paternal function as key factors in drug abuse, supported by clinical evidence.
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Limited contemporary psychoanalytic literature exists on drug dependency.
- This paper reviews 100 years of psychoanalytic contributions to understanding drug addiction.
Observation:
- Drug abusers exhibit a persistent symbiotic object relationship.
- This relationship is linked to narcissistic functioning.
Findings:
- Drug use is conceptualized as seeking pleasure without an object and fulfilling an omnipotently controlled need.
- Compromised paternal function is identified as a critical factor in the development of drug dependency.
Implications:
- The paper discusses theoretical and technical implications for psychoanalytic treatment of drug dependency.
- Clinical material illustrates the application of these psychoanalytic concepts.