SUD
Medical abbreviation · Mental Health & Psychiatry
| Stands for | Substance use disorder |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SUD stands for Substance use disorder, a mental health & psychiatry abbreviation.
Problematic pattern of using alcohol, drugs or other substances leading to significant impairment or distress, diagnosed with 11 DSM-5 criteria covering impaired control, social impairment, risky use, tolerance and withdrawal. Severity is mild (2–3 criteria), moderate (4–5) or severe (6 or more).
Example: SUD: stimulant use disorder, severe, and tobacco use disorder; refer to integrated addiction clinic.
Usage notes
DSM-5 (2013) merged the older categories of substance abuse and substance dependence into one diagnosis. Tens of millions of Americans meet criteria each year, but only a minority receive treatment. Person-first language ("person with a substance use disorder") is recommended over "addict" or "abuser" to reduce stigma.
Related abbreviations
More mental health & psychiatry abbreviations
- SBIRT – Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment
- SCZ – Schizophrenia
- SI – Suicidal ideation
- SIB – Self-injurious behavior
- SLD – Specific learning disorder
- SMI – Serious mental illness
- TD – Tardive dyskinesia
- TF-CBT – Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
- TMS – Transcranial magnetic stimulation
- TRD – Treatment-resistant depression
- VH – Visual hallucinations
- Y-BOCS – Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
See all 100 mental health & psychiatry abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.