Ego Development, Dragon Fights, and Chronic Drug Abusers

Abstract

Developmental antecedents of adult behavior are described for 4 matched groups of chronic drug users (cocaine, amphetamine, opiates, barbiturates and sedative-hypnotics) and a comparable group of nonusers each group having been studied intensively for .apprx. 1.5 yr. Integration is provided by a theory that views psychological development as a series of ego transformations, which appear metaphorically in legend and mythology as dragon fights. Each group is characterized theoretically by a core conflict, an upper limit on individualization and a typical character. Radically new approaches to psychological treatment may be needed, especially for chronic users of barbiturates, opiates and cocaine.