Dimensions contre-transferentielles dans la therapie des conduites addictives (Rodica Matei)

Abstract: This article is available in French only. Addictive behaviours are a nosographiccategory difficult to approach from the pointof view of classical psychoanalysis. Due tothe subject’s poor capacity of psychicelaboration, free association and the access tothe analyst’s interpretations will encounterimportant obstacles during the analyticalwork. The subject’s tendency to “pulverize”affects, which will be crystallized either insomatic or in act, will determine that themain scope of the analytical work will be todevelop the subject’s capacity of psychicelaboration. This work implies a symbolicfusion present in the analytical relationshipand investing the analytical space seen as abodily space for two, where there should beno differentiation involved. Under thesecircumstances, the analyst is likely to beconfronted with a series ofcountertransferential reactions that involveprimary processes in which neutrality gainsa new dimension. The analyst’s narcisism aswell as his/her sense of identity will becomethe object of the patient’s attacks and the wayin which the analyst copes withcountertransference may become a crucialpoint for the development of the patient’scapacity of psychic symbolization. We intendto present a series of clinical vignettesillustrating the role of thecountertransferential aspects in thepsychoanalytical work of the patients whopresent an addictive psychic functioning.