[Addictive behaviours from DSM-IV to DSM-5]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), published in May 2013, introduced significant revisions to the classification of addiction.
• Previous editions, including the DSM-IV, had distinct classifications for substance-related disorders and pathological gambling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comparative analysis of addictive behavior classifications between DSM-IV and DSM-5.
• To critically evaluate and comment on the specific changes implemented in the DSM-5 classification system for addictive disorders.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of the historical evolution of addiction concepts and classification systems up to DSM-IV.
• Detailed description and analysis of the new classifications and diagnostic criteria introduced in DSM-5.

Main Results:

• DSM-5 consolidates DSM-IV substance-related disorders and pathological gambling into a single category: 'Substance Related and Addictive Disorders'.
• DSM-IV diagnoses of 'abuse' and 'dependence' are unified into a single 'Substance Use Disorder' diagnosis in DSM-5.
• New DSM-5 criteria include 'craving' and refined criteria for remission, replacing the DSM-IV criterion of 'recurrent substance-related legal problems'.

Conclusions:

• DSM-5 represents a significant advancement over DSM-IV in classifying addictive disorders.
• Effective diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders require that classification be augmented with staging and profiling methodologies.