According to the diagnostic criteria, how many symptoms are required for opioid use disorder?

Opioid use disorder is defined within the DSM-5-TR with specific criteria that require the presence of a certain number of symptoms for a formal diagnosis. To meet the criteria for opioid use disorder, an individual must exhibit at least two of the specified symptoms within a 12-month period. These symptoms encompass behaviors and experiences related to the misuse of opioids, such as craving, tolerance, withdrawal, and the inability to control use despite negative consequences.

By requiring a minimum of two symptoms, the DSM-5-TR emphasizes that a diagnosis of opioid use disorder indicates a pattern of problematic use rather than isolated incidents of misuse. This threshold helps to differentiate between occasional use and a more severe disorder that warrants clinical attention and possible intervention. Thus, the correct understanding of the criteria clarifies the distinction between varying levels of substance use and the necessity of multiple symptoms for a diagnosis.