Abstract
Recent clinical observations and psychiatric diagnostic findings of drug-dependent individuals suggest that they are predisposed to addiction because they suffer with painful affect states and related psychiatric disorders. The drugs that addicts select are not chosen randomly. Their drug of choice is the result of an interaction between the psychopharmacologic action of the drug and the dominant painful feelings with which they struggle. Narcotic addicts prefer opiates because of their powerful muting action on the disorganizing and threatening affects of rage and aggression. Cocaine has its appeal because of its ability to relieve distress associated with depression, hypomania, and hyperactivity.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
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Affective Symptoms / drug therapy
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Affective Symptoms / psychology
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Aggression / drug effects
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Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis
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Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
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Bipolar Disorder / psychology
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Choice Behavior
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Cocaine* / pharmacology
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Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
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Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Heroin / pharmacology
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Heroin Dependence / etiology
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Heroin Dependence / psychology*
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Humans
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Male
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Mental Disorders / diagnosis
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Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
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Mental Disorders / psychology
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Narcotics / pharmacology
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Opioid-Related Disorders / diagnosis
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Opioid-Related Disorders / etiology
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Opioid-Related Disorders / psychology
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Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
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Psychoanalytic Theory
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Rage / drug effects
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Self Medication / psychology*