Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of modern psychoanalytic concepts focused on the description of the mechanisms of formation of addictive behavior. Three main vectors of the development of the ideas of psychoanalysis based on: 1) the theory of object relations; 2) the concept of mentalization and "fragile Ego"; 3) neurophysiological justification of the formation of the nature of emotional models of response to significant situations. A number of studies emphasize the existence of close mutually conditioning links between the neurophysiological and psychological levels of addictive behavior formation. The data obtained in the study of American authors Shevrin and Panksepp are presented, revealing the physiological mechanisms of the theory of attraction developed by Z. Freud. В  Special attention is paid to the consideration of psychoanalytic ideas of Z. Freud and J. Lacan in the context of the analysis of dependent behavior. On the basis of the phenomenological approach, an attempt is made to describe the methodological basis of the construct "addiction", based on the concept of "Jouissance" proposed in Lacan's works. The second vector that allows us to sanctify the nature of addictive behavior is the analysis of the nature of the relationship between the Other and one of the variants of the clinical structure of the personality (psychotic, neurotic, pervert). Based on the prepared analysis, the researchers conclude that each clinical personality structure has its own special arsenal of strategies for promoting pleasure and avoiding the act of castration.