ABSTRACT
Alcoholism, sexuality, and neurosis are connected in a variety of ways, and K. Abraham provided a list of the possible connections between alcoholism and sexuality in the article. Abraham argued that external factors are not sufficient for an explanation of drunkenness; there must be an individual factor present which causes alcoholism and addiction and this factor, he claims, is of a sexual nature. He stated that exhibitionism and sadomasochism are displayed in drinking because these are component infantile drives which become disinhibited and therefore find open expression. The ego was full of itself and it believed in its own omnipotence. The ego is attacked by aggressive and masochistic forces. In order to defend itself against these threatening forces the ego can find recourse in the use of drugs and alcohol. The idea that the death-drive can be fought off by a strong ego is based on a misunderstanding of the death-drive.
