Which of the following is NOT a DSM-5 criterion for substance abuse?

Which of the following is NOT a DSM-5 criterion for substance abuse?

• A. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations
• B. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
• C. Recurrent substance-related legal problems
• D. Symptoms have never met the criteria for substance dependence for this class of substance

Answer: (D)

DSM-5 diagnoses substance use problems by a single Substance Use Disorder, determined by meeting a certain number of criteria within a year. There is no criterion that says “symptoms have never met the criteria for dependence” because DSM-5 does not use past dependence history as a diagnostic criterion. The disorder is identified by current patterns of impairment, risk, and physiological effects, not by whether someone has ever been dependent in the past. The statements about failing major role obligations and using in physically hazardous situations align with actual DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorder, which reflect functional impairment and risky use. It’s worth noting that DSM-5 did away with the separate abuse/dependence split and, in distinguishing criteria, does not include a separate historical note like “never been dependent” as a criterion.

DSM-5 diagnoses substance use problems by a single Substance Use Disorder, determined by meeting a certain number of criteria within a year. There is no criterion that says “symptoms have never met the criteria for dependence” because DSM-5 does not use past dependence history as a diagnostic criterion. The disorder is identified by current patterns of impairment, risk, and physiological effects, not by whether someone has ever been dependent in the past.

The statements about failing major role obligations and using in physically hazardous situations align with actual DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorder, which reflect functional impairment and risky use. It’s worth noting that DSM-5 did away with the separate abuse/dependence split and, in distinguishing criteria, does not include a separate historical note like “never been dependent” as a criterion.