Take a Self-Assessment

If you have begun to question your drug or alcohol usage, then you might need to evaluate your situation. It can be a confusing experience to know whether or not you have a severe problem with drugs or alcohol. With some individuals, the progression of their addiction happens rapidly, while with others, it happens over a more extended period. Still, the fact remains that addiction, if left untreated, has dire consequences. You can take a self-assessment to help you understand if you have a severe problem. Below are some of the most popular quizzes you can take and the 11 diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders.

Suspect You May Be An Alcoholic? Take The CAGE Quiz.

Specific physical and behavioural symptoms characteristics of alcoholism. This simple questionnaire, known as CAGE, which consists of only four questions, will give you some beneficial information regarding your alcohol use disorder.

CAGE stands for cut, annoyed, guilty, and eye. This quiz was developed to help individuals understand if they were struggling with an alcohol use disorder. Since then, different adaptations have been created to identify dependence on drugs.

Answering “yes” to these questions is indicative of an alcohol use disorder. This “test” is only the beginning of whether you could potentially be diagnosed with an alcohol abuse disorder. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional and a rehabilitation facility if you have any concerns about your health and seek a clinical diagnosis.

If the diagnosis is correct and the progression of your addiction is severe, your healthcare professional may admit you into an inpatient rehabilitation facility to better manage your symptoms.

Am I Addicted To Opioids Or Prescription Medication? Take this Self Assessment Test

There are many different prescribed medications on the market; different pain medications, such as opioids, as well as ADHD and narcolepsy medicines that fall under stimulants, can all be highly addictive.

It cannot be known whether an individual will develop a dependence on these medications or not. If an individual has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, then precautionary measures have to be taken when prescribing certain medications to ensure relapse or abuse does not occur.

The questionnaire listed below will help you determine whether or not you may be suffering from opioid or prescription medication abuse. It is essential to consult with healthcare professionals when discussing a treatment plan and possible admission into inpatient rehab.

1. Have you ever gone to more than one pharmacy to ensure your prescription would be filled?
2. Have you ever forged a prescription from a doctor?
3. Have you ever manipulated a doctor by complaining about the pain that you are experiencing to be more severe than it is to get stronger prescription medication?
4. Have you ever run out of medication early because you were taking more than what was prescribed?
5. Have you ever taken someone else’s prescribed medication?
6. Have you ever tried to obtain a script for prescription medication from more than one doctor at a time?
7. Have you ever tried to injure yourself to get a prescription for painkillers?
8. Have you ever tried to feel emotional relief from taking painkillers?
9. Have friends or family shown concern about your opioid or painkiller usage?
10. Has frequent use of painkillers brought on unwanted side effects such as anxiety, depression, constipation, and disrupted sleep patterns?
11. Do you, in any way, feel entitled to take painkillers?
12. Have you ever done heroin because painkillers were not available to you?
13. Are you able to envision a future without the use of painkillers and opioids?
14. In any of the situations mentioned above, how long have you been able to keep them a secret?

Taking an inventory of your drug usage allows you to see how it has negatively affected your life and how your morals may have been stripped away during the seeking of your drug of choice.

There is no need to be ashamed of this. Taking inventory allows you to regain some of your power and gain perspective on the severity of your situation. This can be an opportunity to seek help from friends, family, and healthcare professionals.

Signs And Symptoms Of Addiction – 11 Diagnostic Criteria.

According to the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), there are 11 different diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders. Individuals need to have two of the symptoms present extended over 12 months to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD).

The criteria listed below are what is required to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder:

1. Taking the substance in more significant amounts than what is needed.
2. Wanting to cut down the amount used but not managing to do so.
3. Uncontrollable cravings and urges to use the substance.
4. Spending a lot of time getting, craving, using, and recovering from using the substance.
5. Continuing to use the substance even when negative consequences are present.
6. Not managing to perform or get tasks done at work or school because of substance use.
7. Continually using the substance, even when it puts you or others at risk.
8. Needing more of the substance to get the desired effect (tolerance)
9. Developing withdrawal symptoms.
10. Minimising usage of substances.
11. Giving up on social and recreational activities because of substance use.
12. Continuing to use the substance even though you are aware you have psychological or physical problems that could be made worse by the substance use.

Severity Of Substance Use Disorders

The DSM-5 also allows clinicians to discern the severity of substance use disorders by observing how many symptoms are identified within individuals.

The progression of addiction can be broken down by the following:

• Mild – Two or three symptoms present are indicative of a mild substance use disorder.
• Moderate – Four or five symptoms present are indicative of a moderate substance use disorder.
• Severe – Six or more symptoms present are indicative of a severe substance use disorder.

Do I Need Addiction Treatment?

It is difficult to accept that you or a loved one might be suffering from a substance use disorder, and the only option may be treatment. Treatment is not a sign of moral failing; in fact, it takes courage to be able to admit when you need help and to seek it out.

If you have tried numerous times to get sober by yourself and failed, then rehab treatment might be the appropriate option for you.

Substance use disorders are multi-faceted and progressive; because of this, it is advised to seek out treatment and implement evidence-based integrated therapeutic approaches to treat them.

Taking an online drug test to understand better the severity of your addiction is a significant first step towards cultivating awareness around your disease. However, seeking advice from healthcare professionals for an official diagnosis is recommended.

The sooner a substance use disorder is identified and treated, the quicker the individual suffering from it will be able to function within society and live a life with healthy coping mechanisms.