The lived body of drug addiction

There can be little doubt that drug addicts live a disturbed relationship to their bodies. Whether it is injecting drugs into their veins, snorting drugs up their noses, or neglecting to eat, there are very few active drug addicts who claim to be at the peak of physical health. But the relationship to their corporeality extends beyond bodily neglect or bodily attack. The relationship to the body is damaged in the very experience of themselves as incarnated. The place of the lived body of drug addiction is to be found not only in states of intoxication, but also in states that precede and follow such intoxication; in other words, in the states of cravings and withdrawal. This will be explored in more detail below and has several compelling consequences.