Medicare Risk Adjustment Tip: Substance Abuse vs Dependence
Changes have been made to the way substance use disorder is documented according to the DSM-5 criteria. Substance abuse is a pattern of using alcohol or drugs that leads to problems in a person's life. Taking the risk of harming others while driving, working with tools, or watching children. Cause problems with family or friends. law, or cause trouble at work or school. Substance abuse or drug neediness is substance dependence. A person continues to drink or use drugs despite problems in their life. The person often needs more alcohol or drugs over time to achieve this. same effect. As the dependency increases, the person becomes more distant from family and friends. Deterioration in performance at work or school and health problems occur. This person may not be able to see how alcohol or drug use is affecting his or her life. There may be signs of physical or emotional distress when the person cuts back or stops use.