Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 01 May 2024

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DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR:

Substance Abuse

When repeated use of alcohol or other drugsleads to problems but does not include compulsive use or addiction, and stopping the drugdoes not lead to significant withdrawal symptoms the term substance abuse applies. This, along with Substance Dependence are considered substance use disorders.

Harmful use of a specific psychoactivesubstance. The term also ahpplies toone category of psychoactive Substance Use Disorder. While recognizing that "abuse" is part of present diagnostic terminology, recommends that an alternative term be found for this purpose because of the pejorative connotations of the word "abuse."*

Diagnostic criteria for Substance Abuse

A. A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

(1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g. repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)
(2) recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g. driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
(3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g. arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)
(4) continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g. arguments with spouse about consequences of Intoxication, physical fights)

B. The symptoms have never met the criteria for Substance Dependence for this class of substance.

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

Associated with these drugs: alcohol, amphetamine-like, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics

Also:

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.