There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. When one practices self mutilation, they are continuing the cycle of abuse, and they have become the abuser. Now, one of the reasons that I self-mutilated was first, to get the attention of someone, usually my therapist. I also named some of my scars for individuals who I felt had harmed me or for those who I felt had let me down. Today, I think of them as reminders of my past insanity, and of how far I have come.
Self mutilation is also a form of control, and gives a sense of power to the one who indulges in it.
It is also addictive, as it also generates the flow of adrenalin as well as the production of endorphins. Often abused individuals will self mutilate because the flow of endorphins mimics that sensation one feels when they are loved. This, in turn causes one to confuse abuse with love, self abuse with self love. Many people wonder why an abused individual will constantly be drawn into relationships that are just as abusive as the one from which they left or were rescued from. The main reason is that it has become very difficult for the abused individual to distinguish between abuse and love until it is too late, until major, life threatening abuses occur.