Loss of control (addiction syndrome)

Loss of control is a symptom of dependence on psychotropic substances , which is often described in the context of alcohol addiction, but is also used in the diagnosis of addiction to other drugs and processes (such as pathological gambling ). In the meantime, the term is sometimes replaced by the less absolute term control loss.

Meaning of the term

The searches specific terms loss of control , and control reduction not relate generally and comprehensively to a loss of impulse control . This can be a consequence of the effects of alcohol and drugs (e.g. as aggressiveness and unrestrainedness) but is not constitutive for the dependence on substances or processes. Loss of control in the narrower, addiction-specific sense means the inability to control and stop the consumption of the drug. Michael Soyka describes the loss of control using the example of alcohol addiction: It does not occur automatically after consuming small amounts, but after a few glasses. Then you have to continue to drink compulsively, against your better judgment and often until you drop.

Some authors consider the loss of control of the central criterion of addictions: "addiction without loss of control does not exist." Others doubt the uniqueness of the phenomenon: "I do not deny that there is loss of control, they can also neurobiological describe. Only I do not consider this to be the character trait of drug users, but rather one of their possibilities among many. "

literature

• Hans Klein: Loss of control - hidden symptom of addiction. An attempt to explain alcoholism and other forms of addiction , 2nd edition, Blaukreuz-Verlag, Wuppertal 1993, ISBN 3-89175-076-5 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Michael Soyka (Ed.): Clinical Alcoholism Diagnosis , Steinkopff, Darmstadt 1999, ISBN 3-7985-1193-4 , p. 58.
2. ↑ Michael Soyka: When alcohol becomes a problem. Recognizing the dangers of addiction - finding the way out of addiction , 5th edition, TRIAS, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-8304-3415-3 , p. 19.
3. ↑ For example Sabine Kern, Sabine Spitzer-Prochazka: The Drama of Dependency. An encounter in 16 scenes , Springer VS, Wiesbaden 2013, ISBN 978-3-531-19778-4 , p. 17.
4. ↑ For example Gunther Emlein in ders., Walter Schwertl (ed.): Sucht in systemic perspective. Theory, research, practice , Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht, Göttingen 1998, ISBN 3-525-45818-5 , p. 55.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !