Abstract
Objective:
Substance use disorders (SUD) have become a serious problem especially amongst the adolescents in recent years and become inevitable for professionals working with adolescents to clearly understand diagnostic criteria for SUD. This review aimed to discuss novel differences DSM-5 brings to SUD diagnostic criteria along with data retrieved from the relevant literature.
Method:
Studies and reports related to this issue published in both PubMed and Turkish Medical Index were searched, SUD-specific book chapters and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) were reviewed.
Results:
It was determined that the distinction between substance abuse and dependence located in DSM-IV was removed, the criterion of the problems experienced with legal rules and authorities was taken out and craving was inserted among the diagnostic criteria of SUD in DSM-5. It was also seen that there is a severity rating for SUD and newly added subheadings like "tobacco use disorder", "cannabis withdrawal" and "caffein withdrawal" were also present in DSM-5. In addition, two new specifiers, "in a controlled environment" and "on maintainance therapy" were defined in DSM-5 for SUD as situational determinants. Under the mental disorders induced by substance use title, "Bipolar disorder and related disorders", "Depressive disorder and related disorders" and "Obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders" are newly introduced headings.
Discussion:
Because specific differences in terms of age group were not involved amongst the changes related to SUD diagnosis in DSM-5, this could lead to difficulties associated with SUD diagnosis especially in adolescents.
Keywords: Substance use disorder, addiction, adolescent, DSM-5.
