Table 1.
DSM-5 criteria and other characteristics of substance use disorders as compared to love.
| Substance use disorders criteria and other symptoms | Similarities in love | Differences in love |
|---|---|---|
| IMPAIRED CONTROL | ||
| Substance is taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than originally intended | Sensation of “time flying” when with the partner | |
| Persistent desire or repeated to cut down or regulate substance use and unsuccessful attempt to decrease or discontinue use | Sensation of not being able to stay away from the partner; failed attempt (s) to break up | |
| Spending a great deal of time to obtain, use, recover | Dating | |
| The craving for drug easily induced by drug and drug-associated cues | The longing for reciprocity easily induced by partner and partner-associated stimuli | |
| SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT | ||
| Result in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home | The romantic relationship may improve the social cognition | |
| Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance | Do not cause social or interpersonal problems | |
| Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced | Less of time with friends | |
| RISKY USE OF THE SUBSTANCE | ||
| Continued use despite knowledge of a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by use | (a very few case) Physically or emotionally abusive relationships; staying with someone who “isn't right for you” | In most cases, especially female, when clear know someone who “isn't right for you,” individual will end the relationship |
| PHARMACOLOGICAL CRITERIA | ||
| Tolerance (marked increase in amount; marked decrease in effect) | Transition from early euphoria to contentment | |
| Characteristic withdrawal symptoms; substance taken to relieve withdrawal | Grief (from loss); separation anxiety when apart | |
| OTHER SYMPTOMS | ||
| Stress-induced reinstatement | Consolation-seeking | |
| Drug and drug-associated stimuli induce the intense physiological arousal | In early romantic love, partner and partner-associated stimuli induce the intense physiological arousal | A few months after initially fall in love, the intense physiological arousal gradually reduce |
| Chronic drug abuse induce the impairment of decision-making | Individuals display a better decision-making, such as commitment, to establish the healthy long-term relationship | |
| Compulsive drug-seeking behavior; obsessive thinking for drug | In early romantic love, intrusive thinking or preoccupation with the partner; obsessive thinking for partner | A few months after initially fall in love, the obsessive thinking gradually reduce and is replaced by calm, safety and balance |
| Chronic drug abuse induce the impairment of inhibitory control; higher impulsivity | Lovers do not display the impairment of inhibitory control and the changes of impulsivity | |