Which statement describes the withdrawal criterion in DSM-5 SUD?

• A. The characteristic withdrawal syndrome
• B. The substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
• C. Both A and B
• D. Either A or B

Answer: (D)

In DSM-5, the withdrawal criterion for substance use disorder is met if either the person shows a characteristic withdrawal syndrome when not using the substance or the person uses the substance to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. This means that either condition alone is enough to satisfy the criterion, so the description that says “either A or B” best captures it. For example, alcohol withdrawal with tremors and autonomic symptoms meets the withdrawal criterion, and someone who keeps using a substance specifically to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms also meets it. The idea isn’t to have both conditions at once; it’s enough to have one of them.