Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) Practice Exam

The pharmacological criteria for Substance Use Disorder specifically relate to the physiological effects and interactions of the substance within the body. Increasing the dosage to achieve the same effect, known as tolerance, is a key component of this criterion. Tolerance indicates that a person has adapted to the substance, requiring more of it to experience the same psychoactive effects. This adaptation can lead to an escalation in use and a potential increase in the risk of negative consequences.

The other options pertain more to behavioral or psychosocial consequences of substance use rather than pharmacological aspects. Risky behaviors associated with intoxication, social issues arising from substance use, and withdrawal from social activities highlight the broader impacts of substance use on an individual's life but do not directly address the biological or physiological changes that occur. Therefore, the correct answer centers on increasing dosage to maintain the desired effects, which is a fundamental aspect of how substances affect brain chemistry and body function within the context of Substance Use Disorder.