What is covered in the Addiction guidelines?
The Addiction guidelines include disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviours; these are mental and behavioural disorders that result from the use of psychoactive substances, including medications, or specific repetitive rewarding and reinforcing behaviours. Terminology for substance use and addictive behaviours used in these guidelines is based on the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11).
Disorders of substance use in these guidelines include:
- licit or legal use of
- illicit (illegal or unlicenced) use of
- cannabis (other than prescribed [medicinal] forms)
- stimulants (eg cocaine and amfetamines)
- opioids (eg heroin)
- gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- ketamine and other hallucinogens
- volatile inhalants.
Addictive behaviours in these guidelines include:
- gambling—examples include poker machines, card games, scratch cards, betting on sports, speculative online investment trading
- gaming—examples include fantasy games, first-person shooter games, e-sports.
For many, the experience of using substances, gambling or gaming is a pleasure, with few adverse consequences; however, for some, use leads to harm.
Note: Not all substance use, gambling or gaming is a health concern.
The negative outcomes (harms) that can occur with substance use, gambling or gaming include:
- acute consequences—intoxication, overdose, assault, loss of reputation and money
- chronic consequences—precipitation or exacerbation of physical and mental health problems
- impairment in function—affecting relationships, parenting, work, finances
- harm to others, including family, friends, community.
Specialist advice is available on any aspects of care for people with a disorder of substance use or addictive behaviour. Contact is encouraged; see Clinician resources.
Note: Specialist advice is available by phone on the management of substance use or addictive behaviours; contact is encouraged.