The Addictive Process in Unusual Addictions: A Further Elaboration of Etiology
MANUEL M. PEARSON M.D.1, and
RALPH B. LITTLE M.D.2
1 Senior attending psychiatrist, Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 111 N. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139, professor of clinical psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2 Attending psychiatrist, Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 111 N. 49th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139, associate in psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Addiction is more precisely comprehended by understanding the personality of the addict rather than the chemical or physiological properties of the addicting agent. The addict has a unique relationship with his chosen addicting substance; without this agent he cannot deal with the stressful factors in his life. The authors present case reports of patients addicted to nose drops and water. This was a form of unsuccessful self-treatment in which the addicts used an external mechanism of defense to solve their problems.
