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Substance Use · 2 min · 10 questions

DAST-10: Drug Abuse Screening Test

Ten yes/no questions about drug use over the past 12 months. About 2 minutes.

Medical disclaimer: this is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Your answers are processed in your browser and are never sent or stored.

DAST-10: 0 of 10 answeredScore: 0 / 10 · No problem indicated

These questions refer to the past 12 months. 'Drug use' means non-medical use of drugs (cannabis, stimulants, sedatives, opioids, hallucinogens) or use of prescription medicines beyond what was prescribed. It does not include alcohol.

  1. 1.Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
  2. 2.Do you use more than one drug at a time?
  3. 3.Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
  4. 4.Have you had 'blackouts' or 'flashbacks' as a result of drug use?
  5. 5.Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
  6. 6.Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
  7. 7.Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
  8. 8.Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
  9. 9.Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
  10. 10.Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g. memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding)?

DAST-10 result

Answer all 10 questions for a complete result. Current partial score shown.

0
out of 10
No problem indicated
Range 0

Your responses indicate no current drug-related problems.

Recommended next steps

  • No action indicated.

Answer the remaining questions to enable the report:

  • DAST-10:

Screening result only, not a diagnosis. Share it with a doctor or therapist.

DAST-10 scoring guide

ScoreInterpretationSuggested action
0No problem indicatedNo action indicated.
1–2Low levelMonitor your use.
3–5Moderate levelDiscuss your use with a doctor or addiction service.
6–8Substantial levelSeek a full assessment from an addiction specialist.
9–10Severe levelSeek specialist addiction treatment promptly.

Clinical background

What it measures

The DAST-10 is a brief version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test, covering drug use consequences over the past 12 months. It excludes alcohol.

How it is scored

Each 'yes' scores 1 point (item 3 is reverse-scored). Score bands: 0 no problem, 1–2 low, 3–5 moderate, 6–8 substantial, 9–10 severe (Skinner, 1982).

Reference: Skinner HA. The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addict Behav. 1982;7(4):363–371. Public domain.