A Lacanian Exploration of Party Drug Use Through Subjects' Discourses

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Okumus S., Sarac D., Demir E. C.

AYNA KLINIK PSIKOLOJI DERGISI-AYNA CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL, cilt.13, sa.2, ss.473-502, 2026 (ESCI, TRDizin)

Özet

Drug use continues to increase throughout the world, making it important to examine the phenomenon from different perspectives by considering the subjective experiences and discourses of drug users. This study explores drug use through a Lacanian psychoanalytic framework using theoretical reflexive thematic analysis. It aims to investigate the underlying reasons for party drug use among young adult men, as well as their relationship with the Law and the Other. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six men between the ages of 24 and 34. The findings suggest that the participants experience persistent difficulties with separation across different areas of their lives, including relationships, work or school environments, and drug use itself. These difficulties appear to be linked to the mother occupying an overwhelming presence, while the father remains relatively absent or overshadowed. In addition, participants tend to position themselves as exceptions to the Law, displaying perverse patterns, such as an urge to transgress limits and go beyond boundaries. Finally, they attribute exaggeratedly positive and almost magical qualities to drugs, perceiving substances as a unique solution to their problems.