SEVERITY OF DEPENDENCE - DATA FROM THE DSM-IV FIELD TRIALS

The concept of a dependence syndrome with graded levels of severity wa s originally derived from work with alcoholics The applicability and d inical utility of the dependence syndrome across a wider range of subs tances was examined as part of the DSM-IV field trials. When using a c riterion count method to assess severity, it was found that persons du ster at different seventy levels according to the drug on which they a re dependent Across all drug classes, seventy correlated reasonably we ll with measures of quantity and frequency of use and with associated problems. The relationship between severity ratings and outcome was no t tested, however data from other studies indicate that severity is on ly one of many factors that can influence outcome.