Addiction as selfobject: An integrated analysis of self psychological and neurobiological models of nicotine addiction

Abstract

Nicotine addiction is a prevalent mental health disorder with a high rate of relapse. Current limitations in the etiology and treatment of nicotine addiction highlight the necessity of a continued examination of this disorder. Given the important associations between smoking and individual affective and personality variables, demonstrated by contemporary empirical research, this dissertation explores nicotine addiction from the self psychological perspective. Specifically, this dissertation examines whether (1) specific areas of affective and personality functioning predispose one to developing nicotine addiction; (2)nicotine provides a selfobject function by influencing the neurobiology of three primary affects (hostility, anxiety, and depression) and associated personality traits; and (3) nicotine addiction constitutes an ersatz selfobject by causing further regression of psychological functioning. The roles of pleasure, relationality and fantasy in nicotine addiction are highlighted. The implications of nicotine addiction as selfobject are examined from the Catholic anthropological perspective.