Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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This is a comprehensive screening tool for alcohol use disorder, substance use disorders, and behavioural addictions. It is designed for anyone concerned about their substance use or compulsive behaviours and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The assessment is based on validated screening tools and aligned with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders used by addiction professionals across Canada. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential. Addiction, clinically known as substance use disorder, is a chronic medical condition where someone continues using substances or engaging in behaviours despite experiencing harmful consequences. According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), it affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory systems, but is treatable with appropriate professional support.
Please note: This is a screening tool only and does not provide a diagnosis. Addiction is a treatable medical condition—recovery is absolutely possible with proper support. We strongly encourage you to discuss your results with your family doctor, an addiction specialist, or addiction support services. This screening is confidential, non-judgemental, and completely anonymous.
Alcohol Use Disorder:
Substance Use Disorder:
Behavioural Addictions:
Common indicators include loss of control over use; continuing despite negative consequences affecting health, relationships, or work; experiencing cravings or strong urges; developing tolerance and withdrawal symptoms; neglecting important responsibilities or relationships; giving up activities you once enjoyed; and using substances in physically dangerous situations.
According to CAMH and DSM-5 criteria, substance use disorders range from mild to severe based on the number of symptoms present:
To complete this assessment accurately, answer honestly about your experiences during the past 12 months. Think about your typical patterns and behaviours, not just occasional or one-time use. Complete all three sections that apply to your situation—you may have concerns in one or multiple areas. There is no judgement here—this tool exists to help you understand your relationship with substances and behaviours.
Confidentiality: Your answers are completely anonymous. This screening tool helps you assess whether you might benefit from speaking to a healthcare professional or addiction counsellor about your concerns.
Note: If you don’t use certain substances, you can skip those specific sections and complete only the ones that are relevant to you.
In the past 12 months, have you:
Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question:
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:
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:
Count the number of “Yes” answers in each section you completed:
For each section:
What this means: Your responses strongly suggest a severe substance use disorder or addiction. This is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment and support.
Next steps – Take action now:
Treatment options available in Canada:
Important information:
What this means: You are showing clear signs of a moderate substance use problem or addiction. Research from Canadian addiction centres shows that without intervention, moderate substance use disorders typically worsen over time.
Next steps:
Early intervention prevents escalation: Getting help now is significantly easier and more effective than waiting until problems become severe and life-threatening.
What this means: You are experiencing some signs of problematic substance use or behavioural patterns. This is the ideal time to make changes before patterns develop into a more serious substance use disorder.
Next steps:
What this means: You are not currently showing significant signs of addiction or substance use disorder. However, if you have concerns about any aspect of your substance use or behaviours, it remains worthwhile to discuss them with a healthcare professional.
Prevention strategies:
Provincial Addiction Treatment Services:
Most provinces and territories offer publicly funded addiction treatment programmes including community-based outpatient support, assessment and referral services, counselling and therapy programmes, medication-assisted treatment (methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone programs), and harm reduction services. Access varies by province—some allow self-referral while others require physician referral.
Your Family Doctor:
Your family doctor serves as an important first point of contact. They can conduct initial assessment and screening, prescribe medications for withdrawal management or maintenance treatment, provide referrals to specialist addiction services, and monitor your overall physical and mental health throughout recovery.
Residential Rehabilitation:
Intensive residential treatment typically lasts from 28 days to 6 months in a structured, supportive environment. Publicly funded residential treatment is available but often has waiting lists. Private rehabilitation centres offer immediate access but can be expensive. Some extended care facilities provide longer-term residential support.
Support Groups:
National and Provincial Helplines:
Private Treatment:
Private rehabilitation centres, private addiction counselling and therapy, and private physicians specializing in addiction medicine offer faster access to treatment but can be costly. Some extended health insurance plans cover portions of private addiction treatment.
Detoxification:
Medically supervised withdrawal management with professional monitoring for safety. Medications prescribed to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. Typically lasts 5-10 days depending on substance and severity. Serves as the first step before entering rehabilitation or ongoing treatment.
Therapy Approaches:
Medication-Assisted Treatment:
Ongoing Support:
Aftercare programmes following intensive treatment, regular attendance at support groups, recovery coaching and peer support, and comprehensive relapse prevention planning.
Key elements of sustained recovery:
Complete abstinence from substances (typically necessary for most people). Comprehensive treatment for underlying mental health issues. Building a strong, supportive recovery network. Developing healthy coping strategies for stress and emotions. Finding purpose and meaning through work, volunteering, or education. Making significant lifestyle changes to support sobriety.
Relapse prevention strategies:
Identify your personal triggers for substance use. Develop a detailed, written coping plan for high-risk situations. Attend support group meetings regularly and consistently. Maintain ongoing treatment and therapy appointments. Actively avoid high-risk situations, people, and places. Build and maintain a sober social network and friendships.
Co-occurring conditions:
Research from CAMH shows that many Canadians with addiction also experience depression or anxiety disorders, PTSD or trauma-related conditions, ADHD, or personality disorders. Both the addiction and the co-occurring mental health condition need concurrent treatment for successful, sustained recovery.
For family and friends:
Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal:
Can be life-threatening without proper medical supervision. May cause dangerous seizures, severe confusion (delirium tremens), cardiac complications, and death. Medical supervision is absolutely essential—never attempt to detox alone from these substances. Seek immediate medical care if dependent.
Opioid withdrawal:
Very uncomfortable and distressing but rarely medically dangerous. Causes severe flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and intense cravings. Medical support and medications (like buprenorphine/naloxone) significantly ease symptoms and improve success rates. Medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard approach.
Stimulant withdrawal (cocaine, methamphetamine):
Causes severe depression, exhaustion, increased appetite, and intense fatigue. Not typically medically dangerous from a physical perspective. Professional support is important for mental health safety and suicide prevention during the withdrawal period.
Cannabis withdrawal:
Causes irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and mood changes. Not medically dangerous or life-threatening. Usually manageable with support but can be uncomfortable for regular, heavy users.
Always seek medical advice before stopping heavy or long-term substance use. Your family doctor or addiction services can assess your situation and recommend the safest approach.
Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if experiencing:
Don’t worry about legal consequences: Healthcare professionals in Canada prioritize your safety and health above all else. You will not be arrested or face legal consequences for seeking emergency medical help for substance use. Good Samaritan laws in Canada protect people who call for help during overdoses.
This comprehensive screening tool combines three validated assessment instruments:
This online screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument and does not provide a clinical diagnosis. It cannot replace comprehensive professional evaluation by a qualified addiction specialist, physician, or healthcare provider. Addiction is a serious medical condition requiring proper assessment and treatment. If you are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, dangerous substance use, or a mental health crisis, seek immediate medical help by calling 911 or going to your nearest hospital emergency department. Recovery is possible with proper evidence-based treatment and ongoing support. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not collect, store, or share any personal health information (compliant with Canadian privacy legislation including PIPEDA).