Intoxication and Addiction. Psychiatric Observations on Alcoholism and Opiate Drug Addiction
- 1 December 1955
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc. in Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol
- Vol. 16 (4), 681-699
- https://doi.org/10.15288/qjsa.1955.16.681
Abstract
A review, from a psychiatric perspective, of acute and chronic intoxication with alcoholic beverages and opiate drugs. The differences and similarities of acute and chronic intoxication with these substances are described. The personality and cultural factors leading to alcoholism and opiate addiction are discussed. The literature and the author''s own experience suggest there is basic similarity in the personality structure and needs of alcoholics and opiate addicts. These persons are notably similar with regard to the following 5 areas: (1) Regressive, infantile or oral needs; (2) Isolation, narcissism; (3) Pregenital arrest of psychosexual development, expressed in a variety of sexual pathology; (4) Conflicts over dependency; (5) Masochism. The choice and meaning of the sedative intoxicant drug is complexly determined by the social, cultural and historical situation, and by constitutional differences to the subtle emotional effects of the drugs themselves. References through January, 1955 are cited.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- An Experimental Study of the Etiology of “Rum Fits” and Delirium TremensQuarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 1955
- Daru and Bhang; Cultural Factors in the Choice of IntoxicantQuarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 1954
- Cultural Differences in Rates of AlcoholismQuarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 1946