SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER - as defined by the DIAGNOSTIC & STATISTICAL MANUAL 5th EDITION

The hallmark feature of a substance use disorder is a combination of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms that reflect an individual’s use of a substance despite significant substance-related problems.

CRITERIA FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Impaired control criteria

[1] AMOUNT: Using the substance in greater quantities, more frequently or for longer periods of time than intended.

[2] CONTROL: Wanting to cut down or stop, tried, but couldn’t.

[3] TIME: Spending a lot of time using, or being sick or getting over the aftereffects.

[4] CRAVINGS: Wanting to use so much that it’s hard to think about or do anything else.

Social impairment criteria

[5] OBLIGATIONS: Using of substances instead of taking care of responsibilities (family, home, job, school).

[6] SOCIAL: Using even when it causes problems with friends and family.

[7] ACTIVITIES: Giving up or cutting back on activities that were once important or interesting.

Risky use criteria

[8] HAZARD: Getting involved in situations that are more dangerous when using (driving, operating machinery, hanging out in dangerous areas).

[9] HARM: Continuing to use even though it results in depression, anxiety or other health problems.

Pharma-cological criteria

[10] TOLERANCE: Needing to use more than when you first started to get the same effect.

[11] WITHDRAWAL: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the effects of the substance began to wear off.

 

SEVERITY LEVELS OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Severity is based on the number of symptom criteria endorsed

MILD

Meets 2 to 3 criteria

MODERATE

Meets 4 to 5 criteria

SEVERE

Meets 6 or more criteria

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
A problematic pattern of use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, occurring within a 12-month period.

  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Tobacco Use Disorder
  • Cannabis Use Disorder 
  • Stimulant Use Disorder
  • Hallucinogen Use Disorder
  • Opioid Use Disorder
  • Inhalant Use Disorder
  • Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Use Disorder