In a general population sample of U.S adults, the proposed DSM-5 cutpoint of ≥4 positive criteria for severe AUD yielded a diagnosis that closely corresponded to DSM-IV dependence in terms of alcohol consumption, treatment utilization, sociodemographic profile, psychosocial impairment and comorbidity. The only significant difference between the two profiles, the higher mean number of AUD criteria endorsed by individuals positive for severe AUD, reflected the higher number of positive criteria required for the DSM-5 diagnosis. A marginally higher proportion of individuals reporting alcohol-related injuries under DSM-5 severe AUD (p = .017) resulted from abuse criteria counting towards severe AUD but not dependence. Among individuals positive for severe AUD but not dependence, more than 80% of those reporting alcohol-related injuries endorsed the criterion of hazardous use and had been classified with abuse rather than dependence under the DSM-IV.
