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Abstract: Aim: Besides the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic, the population faced changes in their everyday life. These changes suggest an increase of mental health issues and an increase of alcohol consumption. The majority of the studies found during the first lockdown an upward trend in alcohol consumption. Many studies showed also, that healthcare workers were exposed to high mental burden during the pandemic. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in alcohol consumption and psychological distress in a later phase of the pandemic and to compare between healthcare workers (MP) and persons from other fields (AB). Methods: An online survey was available between December 1st, 2020 and January 27th, 2021. In total, 353 participants were included (MP: n=187; AB: n=166). We assessed data on alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C) before and since the pandemic, depression (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety (GAD-7). Results: The overall alcohol consumption among all the participants was the same like before the pandemic. An increased consumption report 15.0 % of the participants and 15.5 % report an hazardous consumption. Almost 20 % of the total sample score above the cut-off for depression and 15 % for generalized anxiety. The MP group did not differ from the AB group. The proportion of hazardous alcohol consumers was slightly lower than in the general population. Increased alcohol consumption was a predictor for higher AUDIT-C scores. Psychological distress was at high levels. Conclusion: Strategies and guidelines for prevention need to be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Psychiatry-historical perspective on the conceptualization and classification of "oniomania". Method : Focused narrative review. Results: The term "oniomania" was probably coined in the 19th century by the French psychiatrist Magnan, and later associated primarily with Kraepelin. Kraepelin and Bleuler described "oniomania" in short paragraphs of their psychiatric textbooks. The nosological classification occurred initially within the framework of the "degenerative theory" of the 19th century; at the beginning of the 20th century, Kraepelin referred to it as "pathological drives," Bleuler, following Kraepelin, as "impulsive mania," and later as "psychogenic disorders" and as "pathological reactions of thymopsychic nature". The term "oniomania" appears very rarely in the current literature. Instead, terms such as "shopping addiction," "pathological buying," or "compulsive buying" are preferred. In the ICD-11, "compulsive buying-shopping disorder" is listed as an example in the category "other specified impulse control disorders". Neuropsychological findings, however, support its classification as a disorder due to addictive behavior. Conclusions: The label "oniomania" emerged more than 100 years ago and can be seen as a precursor to the ICD-11 term "compulsive buying-shopping disorder." Currently, the disorder is viewed as an impulse control disorder or behavioral addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: Diagnostic criteria for food addiction (FA) were proposed with the development of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) by applying the seven DSM-IV-TR criteria of substance dependence. The YFAS was revised (YFAS 2.0) according to the 11 DSM-5-criteria for substance use disorders. This article addresses the prevalence of FA in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and/or obesity and the application of experimental paradigms from addiction research to eating and weight disorders. Methods: Focused narrative review. Results: YFAS 2.0-FA diagnoses are particularly frequent in individuals with BN, BED and/or obesity. Several experimental paradigms known from addiction research have been adapted for eating and weight disorders, and indicate parallels with addictive disorders. However, most studies did not assess FA. Conclusions: A subgroup of patients with BN, BED and/or obesity shows addiction-like eating based on YFAS 2.0 scores. Experimental studies suggest that the same mechanisms that are relevant to the development and maintenance of substance use disorders or behavioral addictions may be important. It remains unclear whether those patients suffer from FA. Future studies should systematically assess FA symptoms and further investigate the clinical utility of the FA concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ashley Gearhardt, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of food addiction. She has developed the Yale Food Addiction Scale and conducted numerous projects on this topic, which have been published. According to her research, cravings for certain foods, such as chocolate, are similarly intense as those for alcohol and other addictive substances. Highly processed foods can be addictive and cause similar neuroadaptive changes in the brain as substance use disorders. There is still limited research on the comorbidity of food addiction and substance use disorders, but initial studies suggest that they can occur together. Food addiction can also occur in individuals with anorexia, and there is a high overlap between binge-eating disorder and food addiction. There is a need to recognize food addiction as a distinct disorder and develop specific treatments for it. To reduce the prevalence of food addiction, both behavioral interventions and environmental interventions are necessary, such as measures to protect children from aggressive food marketing. Over the past 10 years, scientific interest in food addiction has greatly developed, and research in this field will hopefully contribute to a healthier future. [Extracted from the article]

The article deals with the effects of German drug policy after the elections. The coalition agreement between the SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP contains various points that will affect the care of addicts. Among other things, the controlled distribution of cannabis for recreational purposes to adults in licensed shops will be introduced. This could lead to a greater burden on addiction care. In addition, there will be an increased focus on education about alcohol and nicotine prevention for children, adolescents, and pregnant women. There is also an announcement of stricter regulations for marketing and sponsorship of alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. The authors emphasize the importance of an evidence-based approach and hope for changes in addiction research and care under the new federal government. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Behavioral Addictions - A Current and Important Topic" reports on the development of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The ICD-11 includes a new chapter on behavioral addictions, which encompasses gambling disorder, gaming disorder, and compulsive sexual behavior disorder. It is also mentioned that compulsive buying disorder is listed for the first time in the ICD-11, although not as a separate mental disorder. The special issue also includes various original works on behavioral addictions, including a study on patients with dual diagnoses and a study on personality traits as predictors of addiction disorders. The aim of the special issue is to raise awareness about the topic of behavioral addictions and shed light on contemporary trends in research and clinical practice. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Food Addiction - The addictive phenotype of eating behavior" examines the question of whether people can become addicted to food. The concept of "Food Addiction" has been increasingly recognized in both clinical practice and research since the introduction of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS). It is discussed whether "Food Addiction" is actually a food addiction or rather an eating addiction. The authors raise the question of the clinical utility of the diagnosis "Food Addiction" and whether treatment strategies that are effective for substance use disorders could also be effective for individuals with bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and/or obesity and "Food Addiction". The article also includes an interview with Ashley Gearhardt from the University of Michigan, who was involved in the development of the YFAS. Various aspects of "Food Addiction" are illuminated from a scientific and clinical perspective. [Extracted from the article]

Adipositas ist gemäß den WHO-Kriterien über einen BMI von ≥ 30 kg/m2 definiert. Die Adipositasprävalenz hat in den letzten Jahren in Deutschland weiter zugenommen und liegt bei etwa 24% der Bevölkerung. Als ursächlich für die Zunahme der Adipositas werden bei zugrundeliegender genetischer Vulnerabilität vor allem die leichte Verfügbarkeit hochkalorischer Nahrungsmittel und die Bewegungsarmut in der Überflussgesellschaft angesehen. Die Grundlage jedes konservativen Gewichtsmanagements sollte ein Basisprogramm sein, das die Komponenten Ernährungs-, Bewegungs- und Verhaltenstherapie umfasst. Insgesamt sollten die Therapieziele realistisch sein und an individuelle Bedingungen angepasst werden. Dabei sollten individuelle Komorbiditäten, Risiken, Erwartungen und Ressourcen des Betroffenen stärker berücksichtigt werden und nicht nur die alleinige Gewichtsreduktion im Fokus stehen. Langfristiger Gewichtserhalt ist jedoch weiterhin schwer zu erreichen. Bei extremer Adipositas sind chirurgische Interventionen erfolgreich. Die psychische Komorbidität ist bei Menschen mit Adipositas erhöht, sowohl in der Bevölkerung als auch in klinischen Gruppen. Dies betrifft vor allem affektive Störungen, Angststörungen und Essstörungen (vor allem Binge-Eating-Störung). Auch ADHS ist mit Adipositas assoziiert, im Kindes- und Jugendlichen- wie im Erwachsenenalter. Adipositas wird in unserer Gesellschaft mehr stigmatisiert als andere körperliche und seelische Erkrankungen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obwohl pathologisches Kaufen ein seit mehr als 100 Jahren bekanntes Phänomen darstellt, ist das Störungsbild noch nicht als eigenständige Erkrankung anerkannt. Laut einer Meta-Analyse zeigen 5% der erwachsenen Allgemeinbevölkerung eine Neigung zu pathologischem Kaufen. Das Störungsbild ist geprägt von einem unwiderstehlichen Kaufdrang, einer immensen gedanklichen Beschäftigung mit Kaufen sowie unangemessenen Kaufepisoden, die der Emotionsregulation dienen. Die erworbenen Konsumgüter werden in der Regel kaum oder gar nicht benutzt. Betroffene und Angehörige erleben einen immensen Leidensdruck, der aus sozialen, beruflichen, psychischen und rechtlichen Folgeproblemen resultiert. Psychische Komorbiditäten sind typischerweise depressive und Angststörungen, pathologisches Horten, Binge-Eating-Störung, Bulimia nervosa, Glücksspielstörung und Substanzkonsumstörungen. Experimentelle Studien legen nahe, pathologisches Kaufen als eine «Störung in Zusammenhang mit süchtigem Verhalten» (Verhaltenssucht) zu klassifizieren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "SUCHT - Interdisciplinary Journal of Addiction Research" has been listed in the Journal Citation Report (JCR) for the first time. The journal was founded in 1891 and has established itself as a specialist journal for addiction research. The JCR evaluates scientific journals based on their recognition in the scientific community. The journal "SUCHT" has received an impact factor of 1.8 and belongs to the category "Substance Abuse". The University of Hamburg has made the largest contribution to scientific publications in the last three years. The success of the journal is attributed to the authors, editors, and the publishing group Hogrefe. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Aims: In individuals prior to bariatric surgery, the prevalence rates of food addiction (FA), alcohol-related disorder, anxiety and depressive disorders were estimated. Besides this, it was investigated whether food addiction (FA) symptoms are associated with alcohol use, weight-related quality of life, eating disorder, anxiety, and depression symptoms in individuals prior to bariatric surgery. It was further explored whether there are differences between individuals with and without FA regarding these variables. Methods: Validated questionnaires capturing FA, alcohol use, weight-related quality of life, eating disorder, anxiety, and depression symptoms were filled out by 419 subjects with obesity. Differences in psychopathological variables between patients with and without FA were investigated by means of non-parametric methods. Results: The current sample's estimated prevalence rates of risky alcohol use (11 %) and alcohol-related disorder (5 %) were lower than in population-based samples, but the estimated prevalence rates of food addiction (38 %), eating disorders (79 %), depression (30 %), and anxiety disorders (24 %) were higher. There were no differences between individuals with/without FA regarding prevalence rates of past or current risky alcohol use or alcohol-related disorder. FA symptoms were not correlated with alcohol use and weight-related quality of life. On the contrary, positive correlations of FA symptoms with global eating disorder pathology, depression and anxiety symptomatology were found. Conclusion: The results confirm previous findings of a lack of association of FA with alcohol use in patients prior to bariatric surgery. Longitudinal studies with large samples and long-term follow-up should investigate a possible postoperative symptom shift from FA to substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This contribution represents the German translation of the diagnostic criteria for buying-shopping disorder (BSD), which have been developed in the context of an international Delphi study. Methods: Following an iterative process, the originally proposed English diagnostic criteria for BSD were translated and consensus was reached among the authors of this paper. Results: German translation of the proposed diagnostic criteria for BSD. Conclusions: The proposed diagnostic criteria for BSD were translated into German language to make them accessible to German speaking clinicians and researchers. Future studies should address the clinical applicability and diagnostic validity of the proposed criteria and the development of diagnostic decision rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The project "re:set! – Counselling for excessive media use" was carried out in Lower Saxony (Germany [Niedersachsen]) between 2017 and 2020. The present article is concerned with the utilization of this specific counselling service, the sociodemographic characteristics, the preferred internet applications of those using the service, and the prevalence of internet use disorders (IUD) in this sample. Methods: The utilization of this counselling service and sociodemographic variables of the clients were examined using a questionnaire developed for this project. The short version of the "Assessment for Internet and Computer Game Addiction Scale" was administered to all clients to assess the symptoms of IUD. Results: Counselling was provided to 1053 mainly male (90.2 %) individuals, whose average age was 21.65 years. Online-games were used most frequently (49.3 %). Online-games/-pornography were more likely to be used by males, whereas females tended to prefer shopping websites and social networks. A large proportion (64.6 %) of service users in the present sample were at risk of IUD. Conclusion: Centers for addiction counselling and prevention can serve as first contact point for individuals with excessive media use or IUD and their relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a multitude of terms, which intend to describe behavioral addictions, but which are limited in their operationalizability, their reference to behavior, their compatibility with international diagnostic classification systems, and their potential to be applied in a non-stigmatizing way. Therefore, uniform terms for behavioral addictions are needed. Methods: In the context of developing a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Internet-related disorders, terms were developed through expert consensus. Results: The classification of behavioral addictions in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) served as a basis. The terms Computerspielstörung (CSS, Gaming Disorder) and Glücksspielstörung (GSS, Gambling Disorder) were chosen to be included in the ICD-11, and three additional specified behavioral addictions were proposed: Soziale-Netzwerke-Nutzungsstörung (SNS, Social Network Use Disorder) , Shoppingstörung (ShS, Shopping Disorder) and Pornografie-Nutzungsstörung (PNS, Pornography Use Disorder). For CSS, GSS, and ShS, a further distinction was made between predominantly online or offline. Disorders Due to Addictive Behaviors was chosen as an overarching term. For disorders due to addictive behaviors exclusively or predominantly related to Internet use, the generic term Internet Use Disorders may be used. Conclusion: The proposed terminology offers improvements in comparison to ambiguous and unsuitable terms. At the same time, it was possible to ensure compatibility with the ICD-11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federal Minister of Health Prof. Lauterbach has presented new ideas for the legalization of cannabis consumption. The argument for legalization aims to reduce health risks and protect young people. In the first stage, private cultivation will be allowed in non-profit organizations with up to 500 members. Possession of up to 25g of cannabis will be decriminalized, and past offenses can be expunged. However, there are concerns that the uncontrolled access of minors to the black market will persist and that the attractiveness of consumption for children and adolescents is not adequately questioned. Legalization could lead to an increase in cannabis consumption, especially among young people. It is argued that good prevention and accompanying research are necessary. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction and objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding lockdown measures exemplified that special strategies of structural prevention as well as for behavioral prevention are needed with respect to online behavioral addictions. Rationale: The likelihood is high that the COVID-19 crisis and the accompanying measures to contain it have increased the risks for the development of behavioral addictions. Factors such as the discontinuation of terrestrial offers, social isolation and forced inactivity as well as the increased importance of online activities contribute to this. At the same time, the severity of disorders may have increased and chances of remission may have decreased. An increased risk of relapse can also be assumed. Conclusion: Epidemiological studies are necessary to investigate changes in prevalence, care needs and risk factors. There is a need to develop measures for structural prevention as well as for behavioral prevention. Tracking online behavior could serve as a measure to identify risky behavior patterns and could be the starting point for measures such as interrupting games or applications, warnings and information as well as concrete offers of early intervention or further help. The providers are in charge for taking responsibility for their products, minimizing the risk of behavioral addictions and enabling as well as providing measures for early detection and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recommendations of the Expert Group on the Prevention of Internet-related Disorders Abstract. Background: Research on Internet-related Disorders is still in its infancies. This is especially true for preventive efforts and early intervention. Method: Initiated by the German Drug Commissioner, Mrs. Marlene Mortler, a group of experts developed recommendations on the prevention of Internet-related Disorders on behalf of the Council of Drugs and Addiction of the German federal government. The recommendations were consented within the group of experts. Results: Currently, the prevention of Internet-related Disorders is not sufficiently based on scientific evidence. Therefore, the efficacy of existing programs is not proven. In addition, most programs focus on behavior-oriented primary prevention and rarely on early interventions. The potential of structural prevention is rarely exploited yet. From concepts of preventive efforts in other areas and in general health promotion some potentially efficacious measures can be derived. These often relate to concepts on the prevention of addiction. It is urgently demanded that efficacious concepts are considered when planning prevention and early intervention of Internet-related Disorders. Currently, the supply of preventive measures in this area can be regarded as deficient. Among others, the expert group gives the following recommendations: 1) Preventive measures should be as close as possible geared to scientific evidence. Only efficacious programs should be implemented nationwide. 2) Efficacious measures on early intervention that can reach a large part of the target group should be promoted. 3) The potential of intensifying structural prevention efforts with regard to ways of protecting minors, restrictions of media use, product design, advertising restrictions, and conditions of the environment should be considered. 4) Research in the areas of mechanisms and prevention of Internet-related disorders has to be promoted urgently. 5) It is recommended to establish a center or network of competence and an expert-commission that can serve as first-choice main-contact by stakeholders (federal states, municipalities, institutions) for investigating measures or giving recommendations in the areas of prevention and early interventions. 6) Regional coordinating centers responsible for providing preventive programs as well as concepts of advanced training and networking are of importance and should be aimed for. These coordinating centers should cooperate with the center/network of competence and the expert-commission. 7) An early warning system to promptly identify new games and apps with high addiction potential should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memorandum Internet-related Disorders of the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Treatment Background: Internet-Related Disorders represent a rather new phenomenon. There is a need for responding to these disorders by developing aims for treatment, health care, research, and political measures. The present memorandum summarizes available knowledge and provides corresponding aims. Methods: In an iterative process, 21 experts developed a consensus according to the aims described above. The finale text was consented by the executive board of the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Treatment. Results: The experts reached an agreement to use the term „Internet-Related Disorder" which covers severe conditions that can currently be best described as addictive disorder. Furthermore, the term includes recurrent harmful use leading to negative consequences and risky use described as a mild disorder that might be a precursor of addiction. Based on the current knowledge, prevalence estimates and risk factors are summarized. The group agrees that evidence for treament and prevention is largely lacking. Finally, the experts derive aims and demands for treamtent, health care, research and political measures. Conclusions: On the one hand, the memorandum exhibits the current knowledge, on the other hand, it uncovers the many glaring gaps. Besides improving a standardized diagnosis there is a special need to develop interventions for prevention and treatment and to prove their efficacy. Aims for improving care are closely related to research issues and both should be promoted by political measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]