Addiction: diagnosis
Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Diagnostic criteria of dependence (according to DSM-IV)
The nature of the use of substances causes clinically significant disorders or discomfort, which is manifested by at least three of the symptoms listed below, present simultaneously for 12 months.
- Tolerance
- Abstinence syndrome
- The substance is often taken at a higher dose or longer than intended
- Constant aspiration or unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control substance use
- Actions to obtain a substance (for example, visiting a multitude of physicians or traveling over long distances), substance use or recovery after its action take a significant part of the time
- Because of substance use, participation in important social, professional or recreational activities becomes impossible or significantly limited
- The use of the substance continues despite awareness of permanent or recurring somatic or psychological disorders that are caused or exacerbated by the substance used (for example, continued use of cocaine, despite the understanding that it causes depression, or continued use of alcohol, despite the understanding that under his influence there was an exacerbation of peptic ulcer)
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