The primary goal of these analyses was to investigate whether the proposed changes to alcohol-related diagnosis in the DSM-5 are supported from an empirical perspective. We approached this question in four ways: i) by comparing the clinical features of individuals in D4-only, D5-only, and D4D5; ii) conducting a confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the factor loading of the LP criterion; iii) examining the parameters of the LP criterion from an item response analysis perspective; and iv) testing whether genetic influences underlying liability to a DSM-5 AUD diagnosis differ significantly from those underlying a DSM-IV alcohol diagnosis (abuse or dependence). Items related to craving were not available for the current sample, making it impossible for us to construct a complete DSM-5 AUD diagnosis; however, as detailed below, this exclusion is unlikely to have introduced bias into our results. Results indicate that individuals in D4-only and D5-only are less severely affected than those in D4D5. The proposed changes will not have a pronounced effect on lifetime prevalence rates, and the exclusion of the LP item is unlikely to reduce the sensitivity or
