This article examines the importance of psychoanalysis for determining differential diagnoses and direction of treatment for users of psychoactive substances. It argues that the onset of the substance abuse depends on structural factors: 1. In psychosis, drug use as a dependent variable for foreclosure of the Name of the Father, 2. In neurosis, drug use as a dependent variable for low operability of the Name of the Father.
Addiction; differential diagnosis; direction of treatment; psychoanalysis