Are you an addict?

Below are examples of the kind of questions doctors use to assess whether someone has a substance-related problem and their level of dependency. However, these questions are just the starting point for a more thorough assessment.

Screening questions*

These questions concern the past 12 months.

Each question is answered 'yes' (1) or 'no' (0). The questions can be used for any substance. In this example we'll use cannabis.

• Did you find you needed more cannabis to get the desired effect or that the same amount has had less of an effect?
• Did you feel sick, unwell or just uncomfortable when the effects of cannabis wore off or did you take more of it or a similar drug to relieve or avoid feeling unwell (or just to feel generally better again)?
• Did you use cannabis in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than you intended?
• Would you say that you've had a persistent or strong desire to take cannabis?
• Did you spend a large amount of time obtaining/using or recovering from the effects of cannabis?
• Did you reduce or give up work, recreational or social activities as a result of your cannabis use?
• Did you continue to use cannabis despite having physical or psychological problems with it?

Outcome

If someone says 'yes' to three or more of these seven questions they're likely to be dependent on the substance assessed. It's also important to specify whether there are signs of physiological dependence (this means the person says 'yes' to question 1 or 2).

* Adapted from the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994. Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Copyright 1994 American Psychiatric Association.