The will in Vygotsky: Contributions to the understanding of the "craving" in drug addiction

Abstract

Craving is a central issue in the care of people with problems due to the use of alcohol and other drugs, and is considered an inability to control the desire for consumption. However, there is no clear definition of this phenomenon. We investigated the concept of will in the works of Lev S. Vygotsky (1896-1934), considering that his approach could contribute to understanding the craving. We reviewed the literature on craving and performed a focal analysis of the concept of will in selected texts by Vygotsky. Despite the controversies over the definition of the craving phenomenon, Vygotsky's proposition that the will is a superior psychological function mediated by auxiliary motives makes it possible to deepen the understanding of the craving. Craving management thus depends not only on individual initiative, but also on questions about the social, political, and historical logic that presides over the meanings of drug use.