INTRODUCTION TO SYMPOSIUM ON PSYCHOANALYTIC RESEARCH OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

The subject of substance use disorders has been of interest to the field of psychoanalysis since its inception, and theoretical discussions and clinical case reports continue to regularly appear in the psychoanalytic literature. In addition, there is an ongoing upsurge in systematic research to test psychoanalytic theories and treatments, some of which addresses the topic of substance use disorders. The purpose of this symposium is to present original systematic research that has tested psychoanalytic theories and treatments for substance use disorders. It is hoped that these studies will provide models for investigating substance use disorders from a psychoanalytic perspective and will serve as a catalyst for further research.