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Article - Toward a Syndrome Model of Addiction: Multiple Expressions, Common Etiology

Summary/Abstract

we suggest that evidence of multiple and interacting biopsychosocial antecedents, manifestations,
and consequents—within and among behavioral andsubstance-related patterns of excess—reflects an underlyingaddiction syndrome.

Content

We propose, in particular, that addiction should be understood as a syndrome with multiple opportunistic expressions (e.g., substance use disorders and pathological gambling). Our goals in this column are to (1) describe a new, syndromal model of addiction, (2) review the most recent literature that supports viewing addiction as a syndrome, and (3) indicate how this perspective can advance clinical practice and identify areas in which more research is needed. To accomplish these goals, we review the empirical evidence for this addiction syndrome and organize it into three primary areas: (1) shared neurobiological antecedents, (2) shared psychosocial antecedents, and (3) shared experiences (e.g., manifestations and sequelae).