The Tie that Binds: Sadomasochism in Female Addicted Trauma Survivors

Abstract

Women who develop addictive disorders to survive life trauma present a wide array of variant and perverse behaviors. This overview of sadomasochism examines the life trauma syndrome and the survival functions of addictions including self-injurious behavior, eating disorder, and sexual addiction. The etiology of sadomasochism is found in object relations damaged by neglect or abuse. Sadomasochistic dynamics function like brainwashing to oppress women in a subordinate position. Survivors turn childhood tragedy into triumph through sadomasochistic re-enactments of life trauma. An omnibus, developmentally-based psychotherapy for treating the ego states of female addicted trauma survivors included abstinence from addictive behaviors, abreaction of unresolved trauma, information reprogramming or reprocessing of traumarelated cognitive distortions, acquisition of nonaddictive affect regulation and self-management skills, prevention of relapse, and enhancement of capacity for intimacy, creativity, and spirituality. Case studies are presented to explore the types of sadomasochism and state-dependent treatment recommendations across five life domains.