The two categories (i.e., substance abuse and substance dependence)were collapsed into one (i.e., substance use disorder)in DSM-5 because:
A)There is a quantitative severity distinction rather than qualitative distinction between substance dependence and abuse, so they should be on a continuum.
B)They argue that the legal problems criterion is a poor discriminator of substance problem severity.
C)The substance use disorder symptoms are best representative of moderate pathology and does not help distinguish mild and severe pathology.
D)All of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the above reasons were cited in the decision to collapse the two categories into one in the DSM-5. There was a belief that substance abuse and dependence were not qualitatively distinct but rather on a continuum, and that the legal problems criterion was not a good indicator of severity. Additionally, the substance use disorder diagnosis is thought to best represent moderate pathology and may not distinguish well between mild and severe cases.

The Two Categories (I