Abstract

PORTERO LAZCANO, G.. DSM-5. Substance use disorders: are the new changes problematic in the forensic field?. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2015, vol.21, n.3-4, pp.96-104. ISSN 1988-611X.

The recently released Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association has supposed several and significant changes and it has raised heated debates and criticisms. This paper focus on substance use disorders. One of the principal changes regarding this disorder is the dimensional approach. The abuse and dependence categories have been merged into one disorder applied to each substance and requiring two or more out of eleven specified symptoms. Craving criterion is included and "legal problems" had disappeared beacause they have showed poor discrimination for diagnosis. The disappearance of abuse and dependence categories might cause some confusion between judicial workers. From now on the forensic experts will have to make an effort to explain to the court the specific features according to items endorsed in DSM-5.

Keywords : DSM-5; Substance use disorders; Forensic field.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )