A person is determined to be a drug addict when he/she has at least 3 of the 6 criteria specified at Circular 18/2021/TT-BYT occurs concurrently for at least 1 month, or if it persists for less than 1 month, it should be repeated concurrently within 12 months.
Article table of contents
Criteria for identifying drug addicts (Illustration image)
Specifically, 06 criteria for diagnosing drug addiction include:
Criterion 1: Strong desire or compulsion to use drugs
Standard 2: Difficulty in controlling drug use behaviors in terms of the start time, end time, or level of use when at least one of the following two signs is present:
- Narcotics are often used in larger amounts and for longer than intended;
- Persistent cravings or unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control drug use.
Criterion 3: There is a phenomenon of tolerance to drugs when at least one of the following two signs is present:
- The need to significantly increase the amount of the drug to achieve the desired effects or cause intoxication;
- Significant reduction in effects with continued use of the same volume of the drug.
Criterion 4: Becoming increasingly indifferent to other pleasures or interests due to drug use, in the presence of at least one of two of the following:
- Changes in many hobbies or interests that are abandoned or diminished by drug use;
- Most of the time looking for or using drugs or recovering from the effects of drugs.
Criterion 5: Continued drug use despite knowledge of its harmful effects
Criterion 6: There is a state of drug withdrawal (drug withdrawal syndrome) when drug use is stopped or reduced, when manifested by at least one of the two following signs:
(1) Drug-specific withdrawal: signs of opiate withdrawal; stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine or other stimulants) and marijuana. Specifically:
*Signs to determine withdrawal state from opiate substances:
- Evidence of recent cessation or reduction in opioid use after repeated long-term use;
- At least 3 of the 12 withdrawal symptoms below appear after a few minutes to a few days:
+ Craving for drugs;
stuffy nose or sneezing;
+ Tears;
+ Muscle pain or cramps;
+ Abdominal cramps;
+ Nausea or vomiting;
+ Diarrhea;
+ Dilated pupils;
+ Goosebumps or chills;
+ Tachycardia or increased blood pressure;
+ Yawning;
+ Restless sleep.
These withdrawal symptoms cannot be attributed to a medical illness unrelated to opioid use and cannot be attributed to another mental or behavioral disorder.
*Signs to determine withdrawal from stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine or other stimulants):
- There is evidence of recent cessation or reduction in psychostimulant use after repeated long-term use of the substance;
- Have a mood disorder (sad or loss of pleasure);
- At least two of the following six withdrawal symptoms appear a few hours to a few days after the first sign:
lethargy or fatigue;
+ Slowness or psychomotor agitation;
+ The feeling of craving for stimulants;
+ Increased taste;
+ Insomnia or sleep a lot;
+ Having strange and confusing dreams.
These withdrawal symptoms cannot be attributed to a medical illness unrelated to stimulant use and cannot be attributed to another mental or behavioral disorder.
*Signs to determine marijuana withdrawal:
- Evidence of recent cessation or reduction in cannabis use following prolonged repeated use of cannabis.
- At least 03 of the following 07 withdrawal symptoms appear after the first sign above within a maximum of 5 days:
+ Irritability, anger, or aggression;
+ Stress or anxiety;
+ Sleep disturbances (insomnia or nightmares);
+ Loss of appetite or weight loss;
+ Standing still;
+ Decreased mood;
+ At least 1 of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, shivering, sweating, fever, chills, headache.
These withdrawal symptoms cannot be attributed to a medical illness unrelated to marijuana use and cannot be attributed to another mental or behavioral disorder.
(2) Drugs of the same or similar type must be used for the purpose of alleviating or avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
Bao Ngoc
