In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, binge-eating disorder (BED) is classified as episodes of binge eating while not being hungry, eating too fast until feeling uncomfortably full, or eating in solitude with feelings of shame and disgust after eating, without compensatory mechanisms. The controversial disorder food addiction (FA) is characterized by overconsumption, cravings, failure to cut down on amounts of food, and withdrawal and tolerance to overeating. In this narrative review, we aimed to comprehensively characterize and compare BED and FA. We searched PubMed using the keywords “binge-eating disorder” and “food addiction.” We finally included 51 publications according to topic specificity, credibility, the authors’ reputation, and non-bias criteria. BED is characterized by concerns about dietary issues, body shape, and weight as well as depressive symptoms and brooding rumination. FA can be divided into substance addiction and behavioral addiction, which can be differentiated using a list of criteria including hunger, taste, pleasure, function of food, loss of social connections, weight concerns, and awareness about the disorder. Further research is needed to further characterize and distinguish BED and FA.

Introduction. Atypical antipsychotics are the gold standard in the treatment of psychotic and other mental disorders due to their efficacy and tolerability. However, the relatively frequent occurrence of antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome has encouraged research into possible solutions to this problem, including the adjunctive use of metformin. The aim of this review article is to present a concise, comprehensive and critical overview of the aforementioned issue based on the analysis of available experimental research. Material and Methods. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant literature published in a fifteen-year period between 2008 and 2022. The following terms were used in the search: atypical antipsychotics, metformin, and weight gain. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, and cohort studies were taken into consideration. Results. A total of 145 papers were analyzed, of which 10 papers with 852 subjects met the inclusion criteria. All the reviewed studies concluded that the adjunctive administration of metformin at a daily dose of 500 mg to 2,000 mg has significantly reduced atypical antipsychotic-induced weight gain, with a favorable effect on other metabolic parameters that were examined in the analyzed papers. Conclusion. Taking into account the increased cardiovascular morbidity and the consequent mortality among those who have been using atypical antipsychotics in the long term, it is necessary to assess the risks and benefits of introducing adjunctive metformin in every patient who is at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. In order to recommend the routine use of metformin in such indications, studies that would include a larger sample and a longer period of treatment are needed.

Pathological gambling is the most widespread and severe form of non-chemical addiction. It is challenging to categorize pathological gambling into just one category, ie. into a disorder characterized by impulsivity or into behavioral addiction, since there are obvious overlaps. With the above in mind, the changes within the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) are not surprising. Although not listed in the diagnostic criteria, impulsivity and neuropsychological deficits are an integral part of gambling disorder. For this reason, they are essential for a more complete understanding of the profile of pathological gamblers. The strongest arguments in favor of the reclassification of pathological gambling under the category of addiction are: similarities with the diagnostic characteristics of addiction to psychoactive substances (PAS); high degree of comorbidity between these two disorders; their common features including aspects related to the reward system; findings that the same brain structures are involved in both disorders. There are similarities in the way gambling disorders are reclassified within DSM-5 and ICD-11. As in DSM-5, pathological gambling is recognized as a form of addiction. In ICD-11, it was renamed gambling disorder and classified as behavioral addictions. The latest revisions of both classifications (DSM and ICD) have the same development path and essentially the same foundations, and a change in the perception of gambling within diagnostics is clearly visible. Pathological gambling is a very complex disease that is accompanied by neuropsychological deficits and impulsive behavior, both characteristic of addicts and people with impulse control disorders. Reclassification is significant for several reasons. First, there are similarities with the diagnostic characteristics of chemical addiction. Second, there is a high degree of comorbidity between impulse control disorders and addiction. Third, both involve the reward system and activate the same parts of the brain. It is assumed that these similarities led to the reclassification in both DSM-5 and ICD-11. It is still not entirely clear how this change in the perception of gambling within diagnostics will affect the actual treatment of pathological gambling.

Introduction. Psychoactive drug addiction causes serious consequences in many countries, not only for the health of the nation, but also for the emergence of various social problems, such as high crime rates, delinquency and unemployment. Material and Methods. A retrospective-prospective study included data of 100 criminal offenders, drug addicts, gathered from forensic psychiatric records in the context of criminal offences committed by those persons. Results. Out of all the drug addicts who committed criminal offences, 98% were males and the average age was 30.44. Most of the offenders were unemployed and had a lower level of education. A total of 56% were previously convicted. The majority of them previously committed one felony. Compared to previous offences, new criminal offenses were against life and body in 70%. Comorbid mental disorders were diagnosed among 84% of examinees at the moment of committing a crime, and 60% had personality disorders. The largest number of subjects with alcohol addiction primarily make offenses against life and body, while those with substance addiction usually commit offenses against human health. Conclusion. In drug addicts who have committed criminal offences, it has been confirmed that gender, age, employment, history of committing criminal acts and comorbid mental disorders are criminogenic factors that are significant for the prediction of general criminality. The continuity in researching predictive factors, as well as crime prevention within the population with mental disorders is and needs to remain a priority.