the criterion of alcohol-related legal problems was dropped because of its low prevalence and poor psychometric properties (Saha et al., 2006), and a new craving criterion was added, consistent with its inclusion in the International Classification of Disease criteria for alcohol dependence (World Health Organization, 1992). Thus, the total number of AUD criteria remained at 11 (Figure 1). However, whereas DSM-IV abuse and dependence were based on discrete sets of diagnostic criteria (four for abuse and seven for dependence), all 11 criteria apply towards DSM-5 AUD (2–3 required for moderate AUD and ≥4 required for severe AUD). These changes resulted in cases of AUD lost, gained and shifted in severity under the DSM-5 revision. For example, individuals who were positive for DSM-IV abuse by virtue of having endorsed a single abuse criterion would no longer qualify for a diagnosis of AUD under the DSM-5 (unless they also endorsed at least one of the former dependence criteria). However, individuals endorsing just two of the former DSM-IV dependence criteria, formerly diagnostic or phans (Hasin and Paykin, 1998), would qualify for a diagnosis of DSM-5 moderate AUD.
