Kleptomania: clinical characteristics and relationship to substance use disorders.
BACKGROUND
Although categorized as an impulse control disorder, kleptomania has many features in common with substance use disorders.


OBJECTIVE
This paper sought to examine the mounting evidence supporting the phenomenological, clinical, epidemiological, and biological links between kleptomania and substance addictions.


METHODS
A review of the literature examining family history, genetics, comorbid psychiatric conditions, neuroimaging, and phenomenology was utilized to examine the relationship of kleptomania to substance addiction.


RESULTS
Kleptomania and substance addiction share common core qualities, including similar treatment successes, as well as etiologic and phenomenological similarities.


CONCLUSIONS
Future research investigating the relationship between kleptomania and substance use disorders holds significant promise in advancing prevention and treatment strategies for addiction in general.


CONCLUSIONS
Research investigating kleptomania (and other behavioral addictions) and its relationship to substance addiction holds significant promise in advancing prevention and treatment strategies for addiction in general.
Grant
Jon E
JE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, 55454, USA. grant045@umn.edu
Odlaug
Brian L
BL
Kim
Suck Won
SW
D016739:Behavior, Addictive; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology