Which statement describes the DSM-5-TR criteria for Substance Use Disorder?

• A. A diagnosis is made based only on withdrawal symptoms.
• B. A problematic pattern of use leading to impairment or distress, with at least two criteria in a 12-month period, including impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria, with severity based on the number of criteria.
• C. A diagnosis relies on the frequency of use without impairment.
• D. A diagnosis requires no impairment for a diagnosis.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how Substance Use Disorder is defined in DSM-5-TR. It isn’t about how often you use or about withdrawal in isolation. It’s about a problematic pattern of use that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress, demonstrated by meeting at least two of eleven specific criteria within a 12-month period. These criteria span four areas: impaired control (excessive use, trouble cutting down, spending a lot of time on use), social impairment (ongoing problems with duties or relationships), risky use (using in hazardous situations or continuing despite problems), and pharmacological effects (tolerance and withdrawal). How severe the disorder is depends on how many criteria are met: more criteria mean more severe illness.

So, a statement that captures this is the one that requires at least two criteria within a year and emphasizes impairment or distress, plus the idea that severity grows with the number of criteria. Statements that rely only on withdrawal, or on how often someone uses without any impairment, or that require no impairment at all, don’t fit the DSM-5-TR criteria.