In the patient with a substance use problem
Substance use problems: Introduction
Problem drinking
Problem drinking is not a DSM diagnosis but is commonly used to refer to alcohol consumption that is greater than low-risk drinking guidelines. Note that there are significant international variations in standard drink size and in the definition of risk.
Problem drinking involves potential social, physical or psychological consequences, but DSM criteria for a substance use disorder is not met.
Concurrent disorder
A concurrent disorder is a co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorder. It is distinct from "dual diagnosis," which refers to the presence of both a psychiatric disorder and a developmental delay. In some countries, including the United States, dual diagnosis is the term used for a concurrent disorder.
Intoxication and withdrawal
Intoxication and withdrawal are characterized by the development of a reversible substance-specific syndrome due to recent ingestion of or exposure to a substance (intoxication) or cessation of or reduction in use of a substance (withdrawal).
- Intoxication: Clinically significant maladaptive behavioural or psychological changes that are due to the effect of the substance on the central nervous system. These changes can include belligerence, mood lability, cognitive impairment, impaired judgment, impaired social or occupational functioning. The changes develop during or shortly after using the substance.
- Withdrawal: Clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning due to the absence of the substance.
The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
Tolerance
Tolerance refers to the need for greatly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication (or the desired effect) or to a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
Polysubstance dependence
Polysubstance dependence is diagnosed when a person uses three or more substances (with the exception of caffeine and tobacco) and meets criteria for dependence. No single substance accounts for the problems experienced by the patient.
Related Portico Network topics
Fundamentals of Addiction: Introduction (Addiction Toolkit)
Psychiatry in primary care toolkit
The Psychiatry in Primary Care App has been decommissioned.
The revised print version of Psychiatry in Primary Care is avaible through the CAMH store.
We have posted a number of revised chapters from the book in Treating Conditions and Disorders in the new Professionals section of camh.ca.
Clinical guidelines
Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence (NICE guideline CG115, 2011)
BC Guidelines: Problem Drinking
Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (National Opioid Use Guideline Group (NOUGG), 2010)
Buprenorphine/Naloxone for opioid dependence: Clinical practice guideline (CAMH, 2012)
Canadian Smoking Cessation Clinical Practice Guideline (CAN ADAPTT, 2011)
Supporting smoking cessation: a guide for health professionals (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 2011, 2014)