Which of the following is NOT a criterion for diagnosing Substance Use Disorder?

The correct choice highlights a criterion that is not officially recognized in the diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorder as outlined in the DSM-5. Specifically, while cravings to use a substance, spending significant time related to substance use, and continuing to use despite physical problems are all acknowledged as significant indicators of Substance Use Disorder, making excuses for substance use is not categorized as a diagnostic criterion.

Cravings, for instance, are directly linked to the compulsion to use a substance, reflecting a psychological dependency that is a key characteristic of the disorder. The time spent on activities related to substance use underscores how the disorder can disrupt an individual’s life, pointing to the level of involvement and impact on personal functioning. Meanwhile, the persistence of substance use despite experiencing physical problems indicates a serious level of dysfunction and disregard for one’s health, reinforcing the severity of the disorder.

In contrast, the act of making excuses for substance use does not directly correlate with the physiological and behavioral criteria that define what constitutes a disorder. It may indicate a level of denial or rationalization, but it does not fit squarely among the core criteria for diagnosis as established by mental health professionals.