
I really hope part 1 of this blog made your understanding of addiction clearer. In the second part of this blog I will briefly discuss what criteria needs to be present to diagnose an addiction and what steps you can take if you think you have developed one.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 is used by most clinicians and lists 11 criteria that need to be present for a substance abuse disorder/ addiction to be diagnosed:
-
Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer periods of time.
-
Spending a lot of time getting, consuming, or recovering from use of the substance.
-
Being unable to reduce or stop using the substance.
-
Cravings, compulsions and urges to use the substance.
-
Unable to do what you should at home, work, or school, because of substance use.
-
Ongoing use, even though it is causing problems in relationships.
-
Giving up recreational, social or professional activities because of substance use.
-
Repeatedly using substances even though it puts you in dangerous situations.
-
Continuing to use, even when you have a physical or psychological problem that may have been caused or made worse by substance abuse.
-
Needing increasing amounts of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance)
-
Withdrawal symptoms, which is eased by taking more of the substance.
Leave A Comment