Definition:
Substance Use Disorders (SUD) span a wide variety of problems arising from substance use, and cover 11 different criteria:
- Substance is often taken in larger amounts and/or over a longer period than intended.
- Persistent attempts or one or more unsuccessful efforts made to cut down or control substance use.
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from effects.
- Craving or strong desire or urge to use the substance.
- Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
- Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problem caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.
- Important social, occupational or recreational activities given up or reduced because of substance use.
- Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
- Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.
- Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
a.) Markedly increased amounts of the substance in order to achieve intoxication or desired effect
b.) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount - Withdrawal as manifested by either the of the following:
a.) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance
b.) The same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
It is then up to the clinician to specify the severity of the SUD. The presence of 2-3 symptoms is considered mild, 4-5 symptoms is considered moderate, and 6+ symptoms being severe.