This site was last edited 26 Apr 2007 Copyright &
Disclaimer Number of visits to Short Screening:
A Short Drug Screening Instrument
(Based on the Severity of Dependence Scale - SDS)
An Alcohol or Other Drug Dependency and Problem Screening Instrument The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS - Gossop, M. Griffiths, P., Powis, B. & Strang, J. 1992) has been used successfully to identify degree of dependence by users of different drugs. The adaptation below allows for general screening of dependence without necessarily knowing which substances are being used. The lower section referring to specific problems does not come from the SDS. It is ordered around the notion of Lover (relationships) Liver (health) Livelihood and Law. While the SDS has been validated, this adaption has not been tested for validity or reliability. |
A short questionnaire about your alcohol or other drug use.
| Think about your alcohol or other drug use.
In particular, answer the following about the substance(s) you mostly use. Add up
your scores (the numbers in the brackets) before moving on to the next section on
problems. During the past year... |
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| 1. | Did you think your alcohol or other drug use was out of control? | |||
Never (0) |
Sometimes (1) |
Often (2) |
Always (3) |
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| 2. | Did the thought of not being able to get any alcohol or other drug(s) make you anxious or worried? | |||
Never (0) |
Sometimes (1) |
Often (2) |
Always (3) |
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| 3. | Did you worry about your alcohol or other drug use? | |||
Never (0) |
Sometimes (1) |
Often (2) |
Always (3) |
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| 4. | Did you wish you could stop? | |||
Never (0) |
Sometimes (1) |
Often (2) |
Always (3) |
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| 5. | How difficult would you find it to stop or go without? | |||
Not at all |
A little |
Quite difficult |
Impossible |
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Your Score ……… Higher scores, especially over 4, indicate that you might be dependent and that you should consider cutting down or at least having a break to prevent or reduce problems. |
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ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-RELATED PROBLEMS Alcohol and other drugs can cause short-term problems and longer-term problems. Circle those areas which may be causing you problems. |
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| Family Friends Social |
Health Depression Anxiety |
Work Money Lifestyle |
Legal Driving Family Law |
| Any other problems? (e.g.
Sex issues, Accidents, Someone else's alcohol or drug use, etc.) .......................................................................................................................................... |
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| If you identified any problems, talking with someone may help. Discuss these with the person who gave you this questionnaire or contact the Alcohol & Drug Information Service in your state. This telephone service is free and confidential. | |||
| Top section (ie first five questions) is adapted from: Gossop, M., Griffiths, P., Powis, B. & Strang, J. (1992) Severity of dependence and route of administration of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines, British Journal of Addiction, 87, 1527-1536 | |||
Related Internet Sites Click here for State by State Telephone Help Information (from ADCA) |
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