This comprehensive screening tool is designed for anyone concerned about their substance use or compulsive behaviours and covers alcohol, drug, and behavioural addictions. Taking 10-15 minutes to complete, this assessment is based on validated screening tools and aligned with DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders used by healthcare professionals across Australia. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential.

What is addiction? Addiction (clinically termed substance use disorder) is a chronic medical condition where someone continues using substances or engaging in behaviours despite harmful consequences. It affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory systems, making it difficult but not impossible to stop without help.

Important Disclaimer:

This is a screening tool only, not a diagnosis. Addiction is treatable—recovery is possible with proper support and treatment. Please discuss your results with your GP, an addiction specialist, or a drug and alcohol service. This screening is confidential, non-judgmental, and anonymous.

Understanding Addiction

Types of Addiction Covered

Alcohol Use Disorder:

Substance Use Disorder:

Behavioural Addictions:

Signs of Addiction

Loss of control over substance use or behaviour. Continuing despite negative consequences to health, relationships, or finances. Experiencing cravings or strong, difficult-to-resist urges. Developing tolerance and experiencing withdrawal. Neglecting important responsibilities or relationships. Giving up activities you previously enjoyed. Using substances or engaging in behaviours in dangerous situations.

Severity Levels

Substance use disorders range from mild to severe based on the number of DSM-5 symptoms present:

The Screening Test

Instructions

To complete this screening accurately, answer honestly about your experiences over the past 12 months. Think about your typical patterns of use or behaviour, not just occasional or one-time incidents. Complete all three sections that apply to your situation. You may have concerns in one area or multiple areas. There’s no judgement—this tool helps you understand your relationship with substances or behaviours and whether professional support would be beneficial.

Confidentiality: Your answers are completely anonymous and private. This self-assessment helps you determine whether you might benefit from speaking to a healthcare professional about addiction concerns.

Note: If you don’t use certain substances, you can skip those sections.

Part 1: Alcohol Symptom Checklist

In the past 12 months, have you:

Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question:

1. Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended?

2. More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?

3. Spent a lot of time drinking, or being sick or getting over the after-effects of drinking?

4. Experienced craving – a strong need or urge to drink?

5. Found that drinking – or being sick from drinking – often interfered with taking care of your home or family, or caused job troubles, or school problems?

6. Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?

7. Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?

8. More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?

9. Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious, or adding to another health problem, or after having a memory blackout?

10. Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want, or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?

11. Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms (such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating)?

Part 2: Substance Use Symptom Checklist

Thinking about drug use (cannabis, cocaine, prescription drugs not as prescribed, opioids, methamphetamine, stimulants, etc.):

In the past 12 months, have you:

Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question:

1. Used drugs more often or in larger amounts than you meant to?

2. Tried to cut down or stop using drugs but couldn’t?

3. Spent a lot of time getting drugs, using drugs, or recovering from drug use?

4. Experienced strong cravings or urges to use drugs?

5. Found that drug use interfered with your responsibilities at work, school, or home?

6. Continued using drugs even though it caused problems in your relationships?

7. Given up important activities (social, work, recreational) because of drug use?

8. Used drugs in situations where it was physically dangerous (such as driving)?

9. Continued using drugs even though you knew it was causing or worsening a physical or mental health problem?

10. Needed to use more drugs to get the same effect (tolerance)?

11. Experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stopped or cut down on drug use?

Part 3: Behavioural Addiction Symptom Checklist

Thinking about potentially addictive behaviours (gambling, gaming, internet use, shopping, etc.):

In the past 12 months, have you:

Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question:

1. Spent more time or money on this behaviour than you intended?

2. Tried to cut back or stop this behaviour but couldn’t?

3. Found this behaviour takes up a lot of your time?

4. Experienced strong urges to engage in this behaviour ?

5. Found this behaviour interferes with work, school, or family responsibilities?

6. Continued this behaviour even though it causes relationship problems?

7. Given up other activities to engage in this behaviour ?

8. Engaged in this behaviour in inappropriate situations?

9. Continued this behaviour despite knowing it causes problems?

10. Found you need to engage in this behaviour more to feel satisfied?

11. Feel irritable, anxious, or restless when you can’t engage in this behaviour?

Results & Interpretation

How Scoring Works

Count “Yes” answers in each section separately:

For each section:

If You Scored 6+ in Any Section (Severe)

What this means: Your responses suggest a severe substance use disorder or addiction. This is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment. The good news is that addiction is highly treatable, and recovery is absolutely possible.

Next steps – Take action now:

Treatment options:

Important:

If You Scored 4-5 (Moderate)

What this means: You’re showing signs of a moderate substance use problem or addiction. Without intervention, this pattern is likely to worsen over time and cause increasing problems in your life.

Next steps:

Early intervention prevents escalation: Getting help now is significantly easier and more effective than waiting until the problem becomes severe. Most people at this stage can avoid the most serious consequences with appropriate treatment.

If You Scored 2-3 (Mild)

What this means: You’re experiencing some early signs of problematic use or behaviour. This is actually the ideal time to make changes before patterns develop into a more serious problem requiring intensive treatment.

Next steps:

Prevention is key: Addressing mild concerns now can prevent progression to moderate or severe addiction.

If You Scored 0-1 (Low Risk)

What this means: You’re not currently showing significant signs of addiction. However, if you’re concerned about any aspect of your substance use or compulsive behaviours, it’s always worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Prevention strategies:

Getting Help & Treatment

Treatment Services in Australia

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015

State and territory drug and alcohol services:

Your GP:

Residential rehabilitation:

Support Groups (free):

National resources:

Medicare and treatment: Medicare covers bulk-billed GP visits and provides rebates for psychology/counselling through a Mental Health Treatment Plan (up to 10 sessions per year, extendable to 20). Public drug and alcohol services are bulk-billed. PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) subsidises medications for alcohol and opioid dependence. Some private health insurance covers residential rehabilitation.

Types of Treatment

Medically supervised withdrawal (detox):

Evidence-based therapies:

Pharmacotherapy (Medication-Assisted Treatment):

Ongoing support:

Supporting Recovery

Building a Recovery Lifestyle

Key elements of successful recovery: Complete abstinence is usually necessary for substance addictions (harm reduction approaches may be appropriate in some cases under professional guidance). Address underlying mental health issues through therapy and medication if needed. Build a strong support network of sober friends, family, and recovery community. Develop healthy coping strategies for stress, emotions, and triggers. Find purpose and meaning through work, volunteering, hobbies, or community involvement. Make comprehensive lifestyle changes including environment, daily routines, and relationships.

Relapse prevention strategies: Identify your specific triggers (people, places, emotions, situations, times of day). Develop a detailed coping plan for high-risk situations. Attend support groups regularly—many people attend meetings for years. Maintain ongoing treatment with GP, counsellor, or drug and alcohol service. Avoid high-risk situations, especially early in recovery. Build a sober social network through recovery groups and new activities. Practice self-care including sleep, exercise, and nutrition.

Co-occurring conditions: Many Australians with addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders including depression or anxiety disorders, PTSD or trauma history, ADHD (attention problems and impulsivity), and personality disorders like borderline personality disorder. Both the addiction and mental health condition need integrated treatment for successful, sustained recovery. This is called dual diagnosis treatment.

For family and friends:

Understanding Withdrawal

Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal:

Opioid withdrawal:

Stimulant withdrawal (methamphetamine/ice, cocaine):

Cannabis withdrawal:

Always seek medical advice before stopping heavy or daily substance use. Your GP or drug and alcohol service can assess withdrawal risk and recommend appropriate level of care.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Call 000 or go to the hospital emergency department if experiencing:

Important: Healthcare professionals prioritise your safety and saving lives. You won’t face legal consequences for seeking emergency medical help for drug use or overdose in Australia. Getting help is always the right choice.

Overdose prevention:

Scientific Source & Disclaimer

This screening combines three validated tools:

Alcohol Symptom Checklist (ASC) Reference: Hallgren, K.A., et al. (2022). Validation of the Alcohol Symptom Checklist (ASC) for DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorder in primary care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 37(8), 1885-1893.

Substance Use Symptom Checklist (SUSC) Reference: Matson, T.E., et al. (2023). Development and Validation of the Substance Use Symptom Checklist. JAMA Network Open, 6(5).

Behavioural Addiction Symptom Checklist (BASC) Experimental tool based on DSM-5 criteria for behavioural addictions.

Important disclaimer: This screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It cannot replace professional evaluation by an addiction specialist, drug and alcohol counsellor, or healthcare provider. Addiction is a serious medical condition that requires professional diagnosis and treatment. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, dangerous withdrawal, or overdose, seek immediate medical help by calling 000 or going to your nearest hospital emergency department. Recovery is possible with proper treatment and support. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not store or collect personal health information, ensuring your privacy is protected in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles.