It’s time to admit the existence of a psychopathology specific to addiction

The paper analyzes specific psychopathological symptoms of addictive pathology, particularly in heroin addiction. Based on neurobiological, epidemiological, and clinical evidence, the authors argue for the existence of a complex model that explains the phenomenology of addiction. Despite the suggested close relationship between addiction and other psychiatric conditions, psychiatric classifications have not yet been modified to clarify the comorbidity of addictive behaviors. Current psychiatric nosography is limited primarily to behavioral descriptions of addiction and does not consider other aspects of psychiatric expression, such as affective or cognitive attitudes. In the absence of core behavioral and psychopathological criteria, many psychopathological symptoms are classified as other categories, such as additional or associated disorders (forms of comorbidity). The high incidence of psychopathological symptoms in heroin addicts should not be underestimated.