Preaddiction is to addiction as prediabetes is to diabetes.
Features of preaddiction:
(1) moderate to heavy use of a substance over a period of time
(2) failure to meet all of the criteria for addiction, primarily dependence with withdrawal
(3) behavioral traits showing a trajectory similar to those seen in addicts
(4) in theory potential to still be reversible by an intervention, especially during adolescence
McLellan et al suggests using the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria of mild to moderate substance use disorder.
Behavioral traits may include:
(1) criminal behavior
(2) drugged driving
(3) substance use in response to stress or problems
(4) living around or with addicts
(5) escalating and various substance use
