The DSM-IV (published in 1994) likewise had no “alcoholism” diagnosis but instead described two distinct disorders—alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence—with specific criteria for each diagnosis. The DSM-5 combines those two disorders into one alcohol use disorder with sub-classifications of severity.

Alcohol Use Disorder Severity

Symptoms Listed in DSM-5

The DSM-5 lists 11 symptoms that can be used to determine if someone has an alcohol use disorder.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The Different Types of Alcohol Use Disorders

DSM-5 Draws Some Criticism

The criteria of diagnosing alcohol use disorder came under some criticism because, under the DSM-5, any college student who occasionally engaged in binge drinking and admitting to craving a cold beer once in a while could be diagnosed with the disorder and labeled an alcoholic.

Likewise, if tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are the only two necessary factors required for someone to be diagnosed, then “anyone drinking a couple of glasses of wine with dinner each evening will have measurable and noticeable tolerance and withdrawal. It won’t be present to the extent of causing significant dysfunction, but it will be quite evident on exam,” according to Dr. Stuart Gitlow, addiction psychiatrist and past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. “That person now has a mild alcohol use disorder.”

Why the DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis is Controversial

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Gitlow S.Commentary: DSM-5: New Addiction Terminology, Same Disease. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Gitlow S.Commentary: DSM-5: New Addiction Terminology, Same Disease. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol Use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Gitlow S.Commentary: DSM-5: New Addiction Terminology, Same Disease. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Alcohol Use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Gitlow S.Commentary: DSM-5: New Addiction Terminology, Same Disease. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

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