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The authors point out that in a neurosis there is the continuous repression of unacceptable ideas, feelings, and impulses, plus the dissociation of their attached energies. On the other hand, in every human being there is a continuous effort to lift the repression and to reunite the dissociated components. Kubie and Margolin have found that such drugs as the barbiturates, the cannibis derivatives, scopolamine, alcohol and the volatile anesthetics can influence the course of the neuroses. These drugs lower the abnormally intensified reaction to such unpleasant emotions as rage, anxiety and guilt, and allow the patient to explore the painful areas of experience without immediate psychic withdrawal. The authors believe that the recovery of the moment at which dissociation occurs may be the crucial part of therapy and these drugs may assist because they loosen the tight grip with which the patient clings to reality. Furthermore, these agents are helpful because they allow for an immediate period of sleep following affective discharge of violent emotions.
Kubie and Margolin find that a continuous dynamic relationship with the therapist is maintained under narcosis provided the dosage is not too large. This relationship influences the material produced and makes it possible for the patient to experience on a conscious level those affective attitudes, which were significant in early life, but which he disguises or attempts to erase in his waking state. Nonconflictual areas are subject to mild narcosis due to the drug and the conflictual foci are brought into high relief which permits a more direct recovery of early traumatic experiences. The effects of the