To begin with, the symptoms of tobacco use disorder often overlap with the ones present in many different addictive disorders, such as alcohol, caffeine, opioid, and sedative abuse. However, according to American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2013), “reduction in symptoms with the use of nicotine medications confirms the diagnosis.” (p. 576). Therefore, it may be concluded that the information on how a patient reacts to either tobacco consumption or tobacco withdrawal is extremely important. The reason for it is that it helps to address effectively various closely related issues, which arise in the differential diagnosis process.
Furthermore, it is vital to rule out other mental health or medical disorders, which may be present with similar concerns and symptoms. APA (2013) highlights twelve diagnostic criteria for tobacco use disorder, such as consuming tobacco in large amounts, recurrent interpersonal problems, and cravings for the substance. If a person meets at least two of them within one year, his or her diagnosis can be confirmed. In general, all the criteria emphasize special relationships between patients and the substance, and unless any of them is present, other health issues should be ruled out.
Finally, it is crucial to note that determining the level of severity plays an important role in further treatment. A patient with tobacco use disorder may experience three different levels of severity – mild, moderate, and severe. Everything depends on the number of symptoms he or she has. First, people with mild severity meet at least two criteria outlined by APA. Second, those with moderate severity may exhibit from five to six symptoms. Finally, the highest level of severity can be diagnosed if half of the criteria are met.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.