Table 1 Substance Abuse Mental Disorders and Possession-Related Legal Problems in DSM-IV-TR.

a

Substance Abuse mental disorder, diagnostic Criterion A3: "recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)"

b

Alcohol Abuse (305.00) mental disorder: "Legal difficulties may arise because of alcohol use (e.g., arrests for intoxicated behavior or for driving under the influence)."

c

Cannabis Abuse (305.20) mental disorder: "...legal problems that may occur as a consequence of arrests for cannabis possession."

d

Cocaine Abuse (305.60) mental disorder: "Legal difficulties may result from possession or use of the drug."

e

Hallucinogen Abuse (305.30) mental disorder: "...legal difficulties may arise due to behaviors that result from intoxication or possession of hallucinogens."

f

Amphetamine Abuse (305.70) mental disorder: "Legal difficulties typically arise as a result of behavior while intoxicated with amphetamines (especially aggressive behavior), as a consequence of obtaining the drug on the illegal market, or as a result of drug possession or use. Occasionally, individuals with Amphetamine Abuse will engage in illegal acts (e.g., manufacturing amphetamines, theft) to obtain the drug; however, this behavior is more common among those with Dependence."

g

Inhalant Abuse (305.90) mental disorder: "Users can also become agitated and even violent during intoxication, with subsequent legal and interpersonal problems."

h

Opioid Abuse (305.50) mental disorder: "Legal difficulties may arise as a result of behavior while intoxicated with opioids or because an individual has resorted to illegal sources of supply."

i

Phencyclidine Abuse (305.90) mental disorder: "Legal difficulties may arise due to possession of phencyclidine or to behaviors resulting from Intoxication (e.g., fighting)."

j

"The category of Substance Abuse does not apply to caffeine and nicotine";

k

"The term abuse should be applied only to a pattern of substance use that meets the criteria for this disorder; the term should not be used as a synonym for "use," "misuse," or "hazardous use";

l

"The essential feature of Substance Abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances. In order for an Abuse criterion to be met, the substance-related problem must have occurred repeatedly during the same 12-month period or been persistent";

m

There may be recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for disorderly conduct, assault and battery, driving under the influence) (Criterion A3)";

n

"Substance-Related Disorders are distinguished from nonpathological substance use (e.g., "social" drinking) and from the use of medications for appropriate medical purposes by the presence of a pattern of multiple symptoms occurring over an extended period of time (e.g., tolerance, withdrawal, compulsive use) or the presence of substance-related problems (e.g., medical complications, disruption in social and family relationships, vocational or financial difficulties, legal problems);

o

"Although a diagnosis of Substance Abuse is more likely in individuals who have only recently started taking the substance, some individuals continue to have substance-related adverse social consequences over a long period of time without developing evidence of Substance Dependence."