Identify key diagnostic categories of substance use and addictive disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Write a 750-1,000-word paper examining substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. Include the following in your paper:

A comparison of the DSM diagnostic criteria of two disorders (one substance use and one co-occurring disorder)
A discussion of the severity and specifiers for the two disorders

Commentary about the importance of a counselor differentiating between the two disorders
Include at least three scholarly sources to support your responses
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:

BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse

Identify key diagnostic categories of substance use and addictive disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).