Addictions: current perspectives.
The Journal of analytical psychology April 1, 2022 Maria Paula De Magalhães Tavares de Oliveira
Addiction arises from an archetypal search for transcendence that can be channeled through substances or behaviors, but in contemporary society many individuals seek only to soothe discomfort rather than achieve genuine self-regulation. The paper integrates analytical psychology and neurobiology to argue that empathic relationships, which integrate right and left brain hemispheres and connect non-verbal experiences with language, are crucial for self-regulation and individuation. The COVID-19 pandemic has made real encounters a source of anguish, yet investing in the quality of interactions is essential for preventing and treating addictions, including behavioral addictions where discerning use, abuse, and dependence remains difficult.