Diagnosis and assessment of alcohol use disorders among adolescents

The diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) (i.e, alcohol abus e and alcohol dependence) as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manu al of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were developed largely from research and clinical experience with adults. little is known about the va lidity of these criteria when applied to adolescents. Recent epidemiologica l and clinical studies of AUDs and their symptoms among adolescents have in dicated that the DSM-IV criteria have significant limitations when applied to this age group. Diagnostic interviews and screening tools for adolescent AUDs are discussed. Numerous instruments are available that have shown mod erate-to-high reliability and validity in assessing AUDs among adolescents.