Based on four Brazilian authors, this article discusses theoretical principles of the phenomenon of drug use and presents the hypothesis that, with the analyst’s discourse, in certain contexts and under certain conditions, drug addiction could be seen as equivalent to the symptom in the hysterical discourse. This approach could open up new paths for clinical work where the analyst’s desire could prevail.
Based on references by Freud relating drug use with the religious discourse and its narcotic functions, one can detect a possible metaphorical basis, necessary for the formation of any symptom. In addition, references by Lacan on the capitalist discourse as the contemporary discourse of the master bring up the possibility that drug addiction serves as an obstacle to the free jouissance of the master in this discourse.
Drug addiction; symptom; discourse; hysteria; desire