For anyone interested in the dry (eek - I didn't mean that) criteria  for about substance abuse/dependence definition, DSM-IV-TR requires:

1. Clinically significant impairment, plus one or more of the following::
• recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at  home, work, school, etc. (absences, poor performance, suspension, expulsion, neglect of children...)
• recurring use in situations where it is physically hazardous
• recurring substance related legal problems
• continued use after persistant or recurring social or interpersonal problems related to the substance use.

It becomes dependence when clinically significant impairment occurrs with three or more of the following:

1. Tolerance develops
• Need a markedly higher quantity to achieve the desired effect, or
• Markedly diminished effect from continued use of the same quantity
2. Withdrawal symptoms develop
3. Substance taken in larger amounts for longer period than intended
4. Persistant desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down
5. Much time spent on activities to obtain the substance
6. Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up or reduced because ce of substance use
7. Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistant or recurrant physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the use of the substance (depression, ulcer, etc.)

Gene could probably have written this from memory (or, however it appears in the (ICD?) codes); I copied from the manual.

Kelly