Abstract
IntroductionDespite existentialism positing that existential concerns are universal, research into the existential issues related to addiction remains scarce. An existential model of addiction is lacking.ObjectivesThis research aims to develop an existential model of addiction, conceptualising the development of addiction through to authenticity.MethodsA scoping literature review was carried out using PUBMED, reference lists and internet websites.ResultsPsychopathology, from an existential point of view, occurs as a result of the avoidance of the existential givens which are death, freedom, existential isolation and meaninglessness. In this model, addiction is positioned as a coping mechanism to deal with the existential or neurotic anxiety which arises from facing or avoiding the existential givens. Addiction is defined as being-with-drug; a state in which our inherent relation to others is replaced by a relation with a substance. This state is understood from the ontological, axiological, ethical and praxeological levels, shedding light on the phenomenological experience of addiction. The existential dilemmas around meaning, loneliness, death, freedom, guilt and control while living with addiction are discussed. Finally, existential crises, boundary situations and secondary suffering are seen as the main motivators to overcome addiction.ConclusionsPhenomenological and existential research support the fact that existential issues are relevant to addiction. This model explains the relationships between existential concepts and addiction, while providing a framework for clinicians to explore and address these issues with patients.
Highlights
The relationship of alexithymia with gambling addiction is not obvious, but it is present, as evidenced by the results of many studies
Alexithymia is likely to associate with gambling as a coping behavior to increase emotional arousal and avoid negative emotions, according to the affect dysregulation model
Alexithymic individuals experience the same spectrum of emotions as ordinary people, from the standpoint of psychology, psychiatry, unexpressed emotions are repressed into the subconscious, and their bodily manifestations accumulate
Summary
Contextualization: Emotional experiences of psychologists related to the care of suicide crises are important since the health professional has been trained to save lives. It makes him apprehend the aggressive side of suicide and symbolize it as an attack. When the patient’s desire to liveceases, the professional may feel confused, since his/her profession/vocation was confronted. Objectives: AIM: To explore and interpret the meanings of emotional experiences reported by psychologists who care for patients in suicide crises
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