The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) made significant changes in how substance use problems are classified. For example, the terms “substance use” and “substance dependence” that we used on a daily basis have been dropped. Do you feel confused about the terminology? I know I was. Below, I explain the basic structure of the relevant set of diagnoses.
Title of the chapter of DSM-5
In DSM-5, substance use problems are classified in the chapter on;
“Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.”
The reason the title includes the words “and Addictive” is because Gambling disorder is included in this chapter as well.
This chapter has two parts: Substance-related disorders and Non-substance-related disorders.
Substance-related disorders are divided into two groups: Substance use disorders and Substance-induced disorders.
Which substances are covered?
The following groups of substances are covered under Substance-related disorders:
1. Alcohol
2. Caffeine
3. Cannabis
4. Hallucinogens or Phencyclidine or Other hallucinogens (these three are listed separately)
5. Inhalants
6. Opioids
7. Sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics
8. Stimulants
9. Tobacco
10. Other or unknown.
Substance-use disorder
Substance-use disorder is a diagnosis that can be applied to any of the ten categories of substances described above, except caffeine.
Substance-induced disorders
Substance-induced disorders are divided into three categories:
A. Intoxication
B. Withdrawal
C. Other substance/medication-induced mental disorders.
These “other” include psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunctions, delirium, and neurocognitive disorders.
Related Pages
How to learn addiction psychiatry
References
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
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