| Alcohol Dependence: DSM-IV and ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria | DSM-IV2 | ICD-103 |
| Clustering Criterion | (A) A maladaptive pattern of drinking, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following occurring at any time in the same 12–month period: | (A) Three or more of the following: occurring together for at least 1 month, or if less than 1 month, occurring together repeatedly within a 12–month period: |
| Tolerance | Need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol | Need for significantly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect; or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol |
| Withdrawal | The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (or a closely related substance) or drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms | Physiological symptoms characteristic of the withdrawal syndrome for alcohol; or use of alcohol (or closely related substance) to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms |
| Impaired Control | Persistent desire or one or more unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control drinking
Drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
| Difficulties in controlling drinking in terms of onset, termination, or levels of use; drinking in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended; or a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control drinking |
| Neglect of Activities | Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of drinking | Important alternative pleasures or interests given up or reduced because of drinking
OR
|
| Time Spent in Alcohol - Related Activity | A great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, to use, or to recover from the effects of drinking | A great deal of time spent in activities necessary to obtain, to use, or to recover from the effects of drinking |
| Inability to Fulfill Roles | None | None |
| Hazardous Use | None | None |
| Continued Use Despite Problems | Continued drinking despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to be caused or exacerbated by drinking | Persisting with drinking despite clear evidence and knowledge of harmful physical or psychological consequences |
| Compulsion | None | A strong desire or sense of compulsion to drink |
| Duration Criterion | (B) No duration criterion separately specified, but several dependence criteria must occur repeatedly as specified by duration qualifiers associated with criteria (e.g., “persistent,” “continued”). | (B) Three or more of dependence criteria occurring for at least 1 month, or if less than 1 month, occurring together repeatedly within a 12–month period. |