Polysubstance dependence

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Polysubstance dependence is a pattern of abuse of three or more psychoactive substances (often simultaneously), in which no one substance predominates. The pattern of abuse does not meet the criteria of physical dependence for any one specific substance, but constitutes psychological dependence when considering the drugs as a group.[1]

A person with polysubstance dependence is psychologically addicted to being in an intoxicated state, but because no single drug predominates, the person does not develop symptoms of physical dependence (tolerance, physical withdrawal upon cessation, etc.) in relation to any of the abused substances.

When coding Polysubstance Dependence in a DSM-IV-TR multiaxial diagnosis, "304.80 Polysubstance Dependence" is accompanied by a list of the substances abused (e.g. "305.00 Alcohol Abuse", "305.60 Cocaine Abuse"); there is no diagnostic label for "Polysubstance Abuse".

See also

References

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  1. American Psychiatric Association (2000). "304.80 Polysubstance dependence". Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) ed.). ISBN 0-89042-025-4.