This comprehensive screening tool helps assess concerns about alcohol, drug use, and behavioural addictions. Whether you’re worried about your substance use or compulsive behaviours, this test can provide valuable insight into whether you might benefit from professional support. The assessment takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is based on validated screening tools including the ASC (Addiction Screening Checklist), SUSC (Substance Use Screening Checklist), and BASC (Behavioural Addiction Screening Checklist). The questions are aligned with DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders, ensuring a reliable and evidence-based assessment.

What is addiction? Addiction (substance use disorder) is a chronic 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 to stop without proper support.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer:

Understanding Addiction

Types of Addiction Covered

Alcohol Use Disorder:

Substance Use Disorder:

Behavioural Addictions:

Signs of Addiction

Severity Levels

Substance use disorders range from mild to severe based on the number of symptoms:

The Screening Test

Instructions

How to complete:

Confidentiality: Your answers are anonymous. This tool helps you assess whether you might benefit from speaking to a 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: Behavioral Addiction Symptom Checklist

Thinking about potentially addictive behaviors (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 behavior than you intended?

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

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

4. Experienced strong urges to engage in this behavior?

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

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

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

8. Engaged in this behavior in inappropriate situations?

9. Continued this behavior despite knowing it causes problems?

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

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

Results & Interpretation

How Scoring Works

Count “Yes” answers in each section:

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.

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 is likely to worsen.

Next steps:

Early intervention prevents escalation: Getting help now is easier than waiting until problems become severe.

If You Scored 2-3 (Mild)

What this means: You’re experiencing some signs of problematic use. This is the ideal time to make changes before it develops into a more serious problem.

Next steps:

If You Scored 0-1 (Low Risk)

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

Prevention:

Getting Help & Treatment 

Treatment Services in the UK

NHS Substance Misuse Services:

Your GP:

Residential Rehabilitation:

Support Groups:

National Helplines:

Private Treatment:

Types of Treatment

Detoxification:

Therapy:

Medication-Assisted Treatment:

Ongoing support:

Supporting Recovery

Building a Recovery Lifestyle

Key elements:

Relapse prevention:

Co-occurring Conditions

Many people with addiction also have:

Both conditions need treatment for successful recovery.

For Family and Friends

Support for loved ones:

Supporting someone with addiction can be challenging. Remember that you cannot force someone to change, but you can encourage them to seek help while protecting your own mental health and wellbeing.

Understanding Withdrawal 

Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal:

Opioid withdrawal:

Stimulant withdrawal:

Cannabis withdrawal:

Always seek medical advice before stopping heavy substance use.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

Don’t worry about legal consequences: Healthcare professionals prioritise your safety. You won’t be arrested for seeking medical help for drug use.

Scientific Source & Disclaimer 

This screening combines three validated tools:

1. Alcohol Symptom Checklist (ASC)
 Reference: Hallgren et al. (2022). Journal of General Internal Medicine, 37(8), 1885-1893.

2. Substance Use Symptom Checklist (SUSC)
 Reference: Matson et al. (2023). JAMA Network Open, 6(5).

3. Behavioural Addiction Symptom Checklist (BASC)
 Experimental tool based on DSM-5 criteriaImportant disclaimer: This screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It cannot replace professional evaluation by an addiction specialist or healthcare provider. Addiction is a serious medical condition. If experiencing severe symptoms or dangerous withdrawal, seek immediate medical help. Recovery is possible with proper treatment and support. This tool is for informational purposes only. We do not store personal health information (GDPR compliant).