Should DSM-V include dimensional diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders?

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Neuroscience and Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry

Background:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is a critical tool for psychiatric diagnosis.
• The upcoming revision to DSM-V necessitates a review of existing diagnostic criteria, particularly for substance use disorders (SUDs).
• The Research Society of Alcoholism (RSA) has a vested interest in the scientific accuracy and clinical utility of DSM revisions.

Framework:

• The core debate for DSM-V centers on maintaining strictly categorical definitions versus incorporating a dimensional component.
• This symposium portion addresses key scientific questions guiding the DSM revision process.
• Discussions will explore the implications of categorical versus dimensional approaches for SUDs.

Implementation:

• Dr. Darrel Regier, Director of the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (APIRE), will present the DSM revision timetable.
• APIRE, the research arm of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), oversees the DSM revision process.
• Opportunities for input from scientific societies like the RSA will be detailed.

Implications:

• Informing RSA members about the DSM-V revision process and opportunities for scientific input is crucial.
• The symposium aims to facilitate informed discussion on critical scientific questions impacting diagnostic criteria.
• The decisions made regarding DSM-V definitions will have significant implications for research, clinical practice, and public health.