Having a transitional object as an adult can be harmless, functional or dysfunctional. For example, cigarettes can be transitional objects. The so-called “addiction” that some people have is not to nicotine, but rather to the feeling of calm and stability it creates in the smoker. In some cases, the cigarette has the same function as a security blanket. Clearly, in that case the transitional object is dysfunctional. On the other hand, the transitional object may be a pillow and people can avail themselves of it every night and carry it with them when they travel without any negative consequences.
