The "urge to classify" the narcotic addict: a review of psychiatric classification. I

Attempts to classify drug addicts are divided into three main groups: (1) psychiatric classifications, (2) psychological classifications, and (3) classifications by pattern of abuse. An extensive literature review of the psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts suggests that there is no one diagnosis that fits all narcotic addicts and that the importance of psychopathology in drug addiction has been exaggerated. It is concluded that theoretical psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts have failed to stimulate empirical research and that empirical classifications have not demonstrated their utility for treatment and prognosis.