The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS) contains 35 questions to assist in determining if an individual is likely food dependent. When filling out the questionnaire, clients are asked to refer to the past 12 months of behaviors. The questions fall under specific substance dependence criteria as defined by the DSM-V, as well as clinically significant impairment. The criteria per the instruction sheet for the YFAS are:

1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you’re meant to
2. Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to
3. Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance
4. Cravings and urges to use the substance
5. Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use
6. Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships
7. Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use
8. Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger
9. Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance
10. Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance)
11. Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance

The 11 criteria outlined in the DSM-V can be grouped into four primary categories: Physical Dependence, Risky Use, Social Problems, and Impaired Control.

Severity of Substance Use Disorders:

The DSM-5 allows clinicians to specify how severe or how much of a problem the substance use disorder is, depending on how many symptoms are identified.

Mild: Two or three symptoms indicate a mild substance use disorder.

Moderate: Four or five symptoms indicate a moderate substance use disorder.

Severe: Six or more symptoms indicate a severe substance use disorder.

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