Daily Medical Records

Here are the diagnostic criteria for substance abuse according to DSM IV (1):

A. How to use an inappropriate substance leading to an impairment or significant distress, characterized by the presence of at least three of the following events during a continuous period of 12 months:

(1) recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (eg, repeated absences or poor work performance because of the use of substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school, neglect of children or household)

(2) recurrent substance use in situations where it is physically hazardous (eg, when driving a car or operating a machine when under the influence of a substance)

(3) legal problems related to repeated use of a substance (eg., Arrests for disorderly conduct related to the use of the substance)

(4) use of the substance despite social or interpersonal problems, persistent or recurrent, caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (eg, arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights)