By paulcline7 on July 26th, 2009

How to Identify a Substance Abuse Disorder

Want to know if a person may have a Substance Abuse problem? Here are some criteria loosely based on the DSM IV that may help you decide.

Main concept: A negative pattern of substance use that causes significant problems.
Continue substance use which has a negative impact on a person’s obligations at school, work or home (for example, not showing up or getting fired at work, poor school performance, neglecting the children were household duties, etc.)
Continued use of substances in dangerous situations (for example, driving while intoxicated, operating dangerous machinery while impaired, etc.)
Recurring legal problems connected with substance use (for example, DUI, assaults, drunk and disorderly, etc.)
Continuing to use of substances despite repeated problems related to substance use, or made worse by substance use, or the effects of substance use (for example, arguments with your spouse about being intoxicated, physical fights, problems at work linked to use, etc.)
Finally, the symptoms have not met the DSM criteria for Substance Dependents

Note: Only a licensed therapist to make a true diagnosis of this disorder based on a full evaluation. This writing is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute therapeutic advice or consultation. If you or a loved one displays these behaviors, please seek professional help right way.