Alcohol Abuse

Twenty Questions About Alcohol Abuse

Following is the DSM criteria for diagnosing Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence
Diagnosis: Alcohol Abuse
A. A maladaptive pattern of psychoactive substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress indicated by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household).
2. Recurrent use in situations in which use is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine when impaired by substance use).
3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems.
4. Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights).
B. The symptoms never met the criteria for Psychoactive Substance Dependence for this class of substance.
If you are unable to diagnose abuse, check with the family. This patient may be in denial and you may get more of the truth from someone else. Family members, particularly a spouse or a parent, may give you a more accurate clinical picture of the problems.
If you diagnose abuse, move on to the dependency questions.

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