How and Why to Diagnose Substance Use Disorders under DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association has been publishing a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since 1952. The fifth edition, published in 2013 after many years of consideration and discussion, contains a major change in thinking about drug and alcohol use. This new thinking of substance abuse and substance dependence as a unified, single entity, diagnosed as a substance use disorder, on a spectrum of mild, moderate and severe. Each specific substance is addressed separately, with consistent criteria for the diagnosis of a substance use disorder, intoxication, withdrawal, or substance-induced disorders. The accurate and consistent use of proper terminology will improve the care of patients, contribute to scholarly discussions and improve the value and validity
of research.

Gilly PA (2015) How and Why to Diagnose Substance Use Disorders under DSM-5. MOJ Addict Med Ther 1(2): 00009 DOI: 10.15406/mojamt.2015.01.00009