Substance Abuse Assessment

Although a substance abuse assessment is necessary to definitively tell if you have a substance use disorder or an addiction, there are some other signs and symptoms that could point out the fact that this problem has already developed.

According to DSM-5 - the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders - there are different criteria that can show that you have a substance abuse problem. These criteria include but are not limited to:

• Continuing to take drugs and drink alcohol, even when this leads to issues in your relationships.
• Continuing to drink alcohol or take drugs excessively even in situations where you know that doing so is causing or worsening a psychological or physical problem
• Developing withdrawal symptoms that seem to disappear when you take your favorite substance of abuse
• Experiencing intense urges and cravings to take substances of abuse
• Failure to manage your obligations and responsibilities at work, school, or home as a result of drug and alcohol use
• Giving up all important occupational, scholastic, social, and recreational activities due to ongoing drug use
• Having to take a drug or alcohol in higher doses than you used to before you can experience its pleasurable effects, or the development of tolerance
• Spending a great deal of money, time, and energy - among other resources, looking for, acquiring, using, and recovering from the use of alcohol and drugs
• Taking your favorite substance of abuse more frequently, longer, or in larger amounts than you wanted to
• Using drugs and alcohol repeatedly even in situations where you are in danger, such as while operating heavy machinery or driving
• Wanting to stop or cut down on your substance use but finding that you are not able to

In case you display two or three of these symptoms, it means that you are struggling with a relatively mild or new substance use disorder. On the other hand, if you have four or five of these signs, then your substance use disorder could be classified as moderate. A severe substance use disorder would typically involve more than six of these symptoms.

Even though DSM-5 has outcome some of the diagnostic criteria used to tell whether someone is struggling with a substance use disorder, it is possible to use other specific screening tools in the course of substance abuse assessment. These tools include but are not limited to:

• ASSIST
• AUDIT
• AUDIT-C
• CAGE
• CRAFFT
• DAST
• Fagerstrom Test
• MAST
• NIDA Drug Screening Tool
• TWEAK

These tools will often determine the nature and extent of your drug and alcohol use and misuse. For instance, you might be asked if you have ever been arrested due to the unusual behavior you engaged in while intoxicated on these substances. Alternatively, you might have to explain whether you were ever involved in any illicit activity in your quest for alcohol and drugs.

The important thing to keep in mind is that a substance abuse assessment will be provided when you first check into an addiction treatment and rehabilitation center to help the recovery facility create a personalized and customized recovery plan for you.