Substance Use & Addiction

This article is not going to cast many moral judgment or advocate any side, but instead will lay out the latest research and knowledge about this subject. Symptoms of Substance Use In the past year, the main psychiatric diagnostic manual (DSM-5) updated its criteria for what constitutes substance "abuse" and "dependence" (addiction), into what is now called a "substance use disorder", which has levels of severity. The symptoms related to substance use issues are below. Take the number of them that are experienced and plot them on the continuum below to determine what the level of concern should be. 1. Using the substance (or the activity) in larger amounts, or for longer, than was intended. 2. Making efforts to reduce or stop use, but not being able to do so. 3. Spending increased amounts of time getting, using, and/or recovering from using the substance (or doing the activity). 4. Having cravings or urges to use the substance (or do the activity). 5. Having some role failures (not adequately fulfilling life obligations) or major life consequences related to it. 6. Continuing to use the substance (or do the activity) despite relationship and social problems that have been caused by it. 7. Giving up important social, occupational or recreational activities because of it. 8. Having increased risk taking related to the substance (or the activity), and/or using/doing it in physically hazardous situations. 9. Tolerance: needing more of the substance (or the activity) to get th...
Source: Staff Psychologist - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Tags: Blog Source Type: blogs