Shaffer, H. J., LaPlante, D. A., LaBrie, R. A., Kidman, R. C., Donato, A. N., & Stanton, M. V. (2004). Toward a syndrome model of addiction: Multiple expressions, common etiology. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 12
(6), 367-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/10673220490905705
From the research article’s abstract: “Research about alcohol, tobacco, illegal drug use, gambling, and eating disorders have revealed commonalities that support the use of the syndrome model of addiction. Yet no coherent framework exists to explicate the syndrome. This article introduces a syndrome model of addiction that holds that all addictions reside on an etiological spectrum of disorders. The model proposes that addictions are more alike than unalike and all addictions share common etiological factors associated with genetic influences, neurobiological deficiencies, repeated behaviors, and psychological and social stressors. The model also suggests that just as there are multiple pathways to addictions, there are multiple pathways away from addictions. Prevention and treatment implications of the model are examined.”