A brief review of psychodynamic aspects and interpretations of the drug phenomenon

Abstract

This article offers a critical review of the main psychoanalytic theories and interpretations of the drug phenomenon, with particular attention to family dynamics and identification processes in adolescence. The authors analyze how drug use can be interpreted as an expression of deep conflicts related to the search for autonomy, the management of anxiety, and the difficulties of separation-individuation. The hypotheses of various authors who link drug addiction to developmental, relational, and symbolic issues are examined. The article also emphasizes the role of parental dynamics and emotional deprivation in the genesis of drug-addictive behavior. Through clinical cases and theoretical references, the work offers a complex and articulated interpretation of the phenomenon, highlighting the need for an integrated approach between psychopathology, psychotherapy, and social intervention