The article discusses the revisions to the criteria for substance use disorders in the DSM-5, following the publication of DSM-IV in 1994. The DSM-5 Substance-Related Disorders Work Group addressed several issues, including whether to retain the division into two main disorders (dependence and abuse), whether to add or remove criteria, and how to identify a severity indicator. Key recommendations include combining abuse and dependence criteria into a single substance use disorder, dropping legal problems and adding craving as criteria, adding cannabis and caffeine withdrawal syndromes, aligning tobacco use disorder criteria with other substance use disorders, and moving gambling disorders to the chapter formerly reserved for substance-related disorders. The work group used extensive literature reviews and new data analyses to support these recommendations, which aim to improve the reliability and validity of the criteria while addressing concerns raised by DSM-IV. The article also discusses specific issues related to substance-specific disorders, such as the addition of withdrawal syndromes for cannabis and caffeine, and the alignment of nicotine criteria with other substances. Additionally, it addresses the inclusion of non-substance-related behavioral addictions and the potential use of biomarkers in diagnosing substance use disorders. The recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of the existing literature and new data, and they are intended to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders.The article discusses the revisions to the criteria for substance use disorders in the DSM-5, following the publication of DSM-IV in 1994. The DSM-5 Substance-Related Disorders Work Group addressed several issues, including whether to retain the division into two main disorders (dependence and abuse), whether to add or remove criteria, and how to identify a severity indicator. Key recommendations include combining abuse and dependence criteria into a single substance use disorder, dropping legal problems and adding craving as criteria, adding cannabis and caffeine withdrawal syndromes, aligning tobacco use disorder criteria with other substance use disorders, and moving gambling disorders to the chapter formerly reserved for substance-related disorders. The work group used extensive literature reviews and new data analyses to support these recommendations, which aim to improve the reliability and validity of the criteria while addressing concerns raised by DSM-IV. The article also discusses specific issues related to substance-specific disorders, such as the addition of withdrawal syndromes for cannabis and caffeine, and the alignment of nicotine criteria with other substances. Additionally, it addresses the inclusion of non-substance-related behavioral addictions and the potential use of biomarkers in diagnosing substance use disorders. The recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of the existing literature and new data, and they are intended to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders.