What is Chemical Dependency?

Chemical Dependence, as defined in the DSM, considers a number of factors, including the presence of abuse over time, as well as physiologic factors

Although dependence is often associated with addiction, it can be the body’s normal response to a substance. Previously, drug or alcohol dependence was a separate diagnosis, which caused a lot of confusion for both patients and doctors.

Today, the diagnosis of substance abuse disorder categorizes substance abuse and substance dependence into a single disorder, which has a rating from mild to severe. Mild substance use disorder in DSM-5 requires two to three symptoms out of 11 listed. So it’s harder to be diagnosed with this disorder than previously.

Change From DSM-IV

Previously, the distinction between abuse and dependence was based on the concept of abuse as a
mild or early phase and dependence as the more severe manifestation. In practice, the abuse criteria
were sometimes quite severe. The revised substance use disorder, a single diagnosis, will better match
the symptoms that patients experience.

DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence included whether substance dependence coincided with or without physiologic dependence (tolerance or withdrawal).

Remission

In addition, remission categories are classified into four subtypes:

1. full
2. early partial
3. sustained
4. sustained partial

Remission is based on the designation for abuse or dependence, and may also be used if a patient is receiving agonist therapy, like methadone maintenance to help with withdrawal. It may also be used for people who have just completed a drug rehab program and are now living in a drug-free environment, such as a sober living home, or aftercare facility.