Also Known as Alcoholism or Addiction
Dependence upon alcohol or a specific substance (such as cocaine, nicotine, marijuana, etc.) is characterized by a maladaptive pattern of alcohol or substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by 3 or more of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
- Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of the alcohol or substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
- Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the alcohol or substance
- Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
- 2 or more of the following, developing within several hours to a few days of reduction in heavy or prolonged alcohol or substance use:
- Sweating or rapid pulse
- Increased hand tremor
- Insomnia
- Nausea or vomiting
- Physical agitation
- Anxiety
- Transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions
- Grand mal seizures
- The same substance (or another substance) or alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
- 2 or more of the following, developing within several hours to a few days of reduction in heavy or prolonged alcohol or substance use:
- The substance or alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
- There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use of alcohol or the substance
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol or the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), using alcohol or a substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recovering from its effects
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of the continued alcohol or substance use
- The substance or alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)
***NOTE: This condition is not a disorder recognized within the DSM-5, the 2013 update of the diagnostic manual. This page is here on PsychCentral for historical purposes only. See revised symptoms of substance use disorders.
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