How many criteria must be met to qualify as severe SUD?

• A. Three or more
• B. Six or more
• C. Five or more
• D. Seven or more

Answer: (B)

Severe Substance Use Disorder is determined by how many of the DSM-5 criteria a person meets within a year. There are 11 criteria in total, and the severity is categorized by the total count: meeting two to three criteria is mild, four to five is moderate, and six or more criteria indicates a severe disorder. So, six or more criteria is the threshold for qualifying as severe. This counting approach helps clinicians assess the level of impairment and risk, guiding treatment decisions. Examples of criteria include using more or longer than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, spending a lot of time related to use, cravings, continuing despite problems, and physiological signs like tolerance or withdrawal.