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Millions of Americans suffer from substance use disorder (SUD). For instance, opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder have been on the rise in recent decades. However, many people do not even realize that they have an illness. Of note, SUD is not one illness. Rather, it is a collection of diseases representing ten categories of substances with potential for disordered use (e.g alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, Xanax, tobacco, etc.)
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) – the psychiatrist’s guide for diagnosis – there are 11 criteria that comprise SUD. A person’s SUD can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how many of the criteria the person screens positive for.
What is Substance Use Disorder – Psychiatry in 60 Seconds:
DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorder
The DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder are used to aid in the diagnosis of persons with disordered substance use. Listed below are the 11 criteria for SUD. As a whole, substance use disorder is likely present when a person’s pattern of substance use leads to unintended, poor outcomes. Less than 2 criteria indicate that no illness is present. Two to three criteria indicate mild SUD. The presence of four to five criteria is indicative of moderate SUD, and six or more criteria indicate severe SUD.
The contents of this post are not intended to diagnose or treat. This post does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you feel that you or a loved one would benefit from medical treatment for a substance use disorder, please reach out to your primary care physician for additional information and next steps.
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Learn more about Dr. Jordan here. and feel free to send a message here.
