Important Disclaimer
This screening tool is for educational and self-awareness purposes only. It does not constitute a clinical diagnosis of substance use disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).
What This Assessment Measures
- Non-medical drug use patterns
- Loss of control over drug use
- Drug-related blackouts or flashbacks
- Feelings of guilt about drug use
- Spouse/family complaints about drug involvement
- Neglect of responsibilities due to drug use
- Engagement in illegal activities related to drugs
- Withdrawal symptoms from drugs
- Medical problems related to drug use
10
Questions
2–4
Minutes
100%
Confidential
The 10 Questions
Every question is answered on the same scale: No, Yes.
- Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
- Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?
- Are you unable to stop using drugs when you want to?
- Have you ever had blackouts or flashbacks as a result of drug use?
- Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
- Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
- Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
- Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
- Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
- Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding)?
About the DAST-10
The DAST-10 was developed by Dr. Harvey A. Skinner (1982) at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto, Canada. It is the shortened version of the original 28-item DAST and has been widely adopted in clinical settings including primary care, emergency departments, and mental health practices.
The DAST-10 specifically assesses drug use excluding alcohol and tobacco. It covers a broad range of substances including cannabis, cocaine, opioids, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other psychoactive substances. The questions focus on consequences and patterns of use rather than quantities consumed, making it applicable across different drug types.
It is commonly used alongside the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) to provide a comprehensive picture of substance use patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugs does the DAST-10 screen for?+
The DAST-10 covers all non-alcohol, non-tobacco substances including cannabis, cocaine, opioids (heroin, prescription painkillers), hallucinogens, stimulants (methamphetamine, MDMA), benzodiazepines (when used non-medically), inhalants, and other psychoactive substances.
Does a high score mean I'm addicted?+
A high DAST-10 score indicates significant drug-related problems, but it is not a diagnosis of addiction or substance use disorder. A clinical evaluation by a qualified professional is needed for formal diagnosis and treatment planning.
What time period does the DAST-10 cover?+
The DAST-10 asks about your drug use experiences over the past 12 months.
Why doesn't the DAST-10 include alcohol?+
The DAST-10 focuses specifically on drug use. Alcohol use is typically assessed separately using instruments like the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). This separation allows for more targeted screening and intervention.
Are my responses stored?+
No. All responses remain completely private and local to your browser. No data is collected, stored, or transmitted to any server.
References
- Skinner HA. The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addict Behav. 1982;7(4):363-371.
- Yudko E, Lozhkina O, Fouts A. A comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2007;32(2):189-198.
- Bohn MJ, Babor TF, Kranzler HR. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). J Stud Alcohol. 1995;56(4):423-432.
- SAMHSA. Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System. 2015.