What is Stimulant Use Disorder?

A diagnosis of “stimulant use disorder” is based on a pattern of an amphetamine-type substance, cocaine, or other stimulant use leading to significant impairment or distress, as demonstrated by at least two of the following symptoms occurring with a 12-month period:

• The stimulant is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
• There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control stimulant use.
• A great deal of time is spent trying to obtain the stimulant, use it, or recover from its effects.
• A person has a craving or strong desire to use the stimulant.
• Recurrent stimulant use results in a failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home.
• A person continues stimulant use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused of exacerbated by the effects of its use.
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of stimulant use.
• There is recurrent use of the stimulant in situations that are physically hazardous.
• Stimulant use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely caused or exacerbated by the stimulant.
• Tolerance is developed, as defined by either of the following:
  • A need for increased amounts of the stimulant to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
  • A reduced effect with continued use of the same amount of the stimulant.
• Withdrawal, as demonstrated by either of the following:
  • Characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the stimulant.
  • The stimulant (or a closely related substance) are taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Stimulant use disorder is rated as mild with the presence of 2-3 symptoms, moderate with 4-5 symptoms, and severe with 6 or more symptoms.

A diagnosis of “unspecified stimulant disorder” may apply in situations in which a person shows symptoms characteristic of an opioid-related disorder, but the symptoms do not meet the full criteria for any specific opioid-related disorder or any of the disorders in the substance-related and addictive disorders diagnostic class.