Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)
A patient self-report questionnaire to screen for problematic drug use (excluding alcohol/tobacco).
Provided by
EVAL FoundationIn the past 12 months....
- Please answer each question below about your drug use in the past 12 months. Your answers will be kept confidential.
- 'Drug use' refers to the non-medical use of drugs and the use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs in excess of the directions.
- This includes substances like:
- Cannabis (e.g., marijuana, hash),
- Solvents
- Tranquilizers or sedatives ( e.g., Valium),
- Barbiturates,
- Cocaine,
- Stimulants (e.g., speed),
- Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD), or
- Narcotics and opioids (e.g., heroin).
- This screening does NOT include alcohol or tobacco.
Purpose and Clinical Utility
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) is a 10-item, self-report instrument designed to provide a brief, rapid screening for problematic drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco). Developed by Harvey A. Skinner, Ph.D., in 1982, it is a shortened version of the original 28-item DAST. The tool asks about drug use in the preceding 12 months and is intended to quantify the extent of drug involvement and identify individuals who may require a more thorough assessment for a substance use disorder.
Scoring and Interpretation
The DAST-10 is scored by summing the responses, where each 'Yes' answer receives 1 point and each 'No' answer receives 0 points, except for question #3 when 'Yes' is 0 points and 'No' is 1 point. The total score can range from 0 to 10.
1. Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons? Yes(1) No (0)
2. Do you abuse more than one drug at a time? Yes (1) No (0)
3. Are you unable to stop abusing drugs when you want to? If never used drugs, answer "yes." Yes (0) No (1)
4. Have you ever had blackouts or flashbacks as a result of drug use? Yes (1) No (0)
5. Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use? If never used drugs, answer "no." Yes (1) No (0)
6. Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs? Yes (1) No (0)
7. Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs? Yes (1) No (0)
8. Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs? Yes (1) No (0)
9. Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs? Yes (1) No (0)
10. Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g. memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)? Yes (1) No (0)
The score corresponds to a specific level of risk and suggests a recommended course of action:
- Score 0: No problems reported. Indicates no intervention is required at this time.
- Score 1-2: Low Level. Suggests monitoring and a brief intervention consisting of psychoeducation and advice.
- Score 3-5: Moderate Level. Warrants further investigation and a more intensive brief intervention and counseling.
- Score 6-8: Substantial Level. Indicates the need for intensive assessment and referral to treatment.
- Score 9-10: Severe Level. Indicates the need for intensive assessment and referral to treatment is critical.
Development and Validation
The DAST was originally developed to provide a standardized instrument for assessing drug abuse that parallels the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). The DAST-10 has demonstrated strong psychometric properties across various populations. Studies have shown high internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients typically exceeding 0.90. For instance, a review by Yudko, Lozhkina, & Fouts (2007) affirmed its reliability and validity as a screening tool. Its brevity makes it highly suitable for use in busy clinical settings, such as primary care offices, emergency departments, and mental health clinics, to quickly identify patients at risk.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
All questions & possible results
In the past 12 months....
- Please answer each question below about your drug use in the past 12 months. Your answers will be kept confidential.
- 'Drug use' refers to the non-medical use of drugs and the use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs in excess of the directions.
- This includes substances like:
- Cannabis (e.g., marijuana, hash),
- Solvents
- Tranquilizers or sedatives ( e.g., Valium),
- Barbiturates,
- Cocaine,
- Stimulants (e.g., speed),
- Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD), or
- Narcotics and opioids (e.g., heroin).
- This screening does NOT include alcohol or tobacco.
1. Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
2. Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
3. Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?
- If never used drugs, answer "yes."
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
4. Have you ever had “blackouts” or “flashbacks” as a result of drug use?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
5. Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
If never used drugs, answer "no."
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
6. Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
7. Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
8. Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
9. Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
10. Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding, etc.)?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
Possible results
No problems reported
A score of 0 suggests no problems reported. This indicates a low level of drug abuse, and further intervention may not be necessary.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
Low Level
A score of 1-2 suggests a low level of drug abuse. This may indicate a need for monitoring and brief intervention.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
Moderate Level
A score of 3-5 suggests a moderate level of drug abuse. This indicates a need for further assessment and possible treatment.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
Substantial Level
A score of 6-8 suggests a substantial level of drug abuse. This indicates a need for intensive assessment and treatment.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
Severe Level
A score of 9-10 suggests a severe level of drug abuse. This indicates a need for intensive treatment.
Limitations
While the DAST-10 is a valuable screening tool, it has limitations. As a self-report measure, its accuracy depends on the patient's honesty and insight, and it may be subject to under-reporting due to social desirability bias or denial. It is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool, and a high score should be followed by a comprehensive clinical assessment to establish a formal diagnosis (e.g., according to DSM-5 criteria). Furthermore, the tool specifically excludes alcohol and tobacco, which are common co-occurring substance use issues that would require separate screening.
Citation
Dr. Harvey Skinner is the test author and copyright holder along with the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada (CAMH). © Copyright 1982, 2019 by the test author Dr. Harvey Skinner, York University, Toronto, Canada and by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
Literature
- The drug abuse screening test. Addict Behav. 1982;7(4):363-71 — Skinner, HA.
- Evidence for a drug dependence syndrome among narcotic users. Br J Addict. 1986 Aug;81(4):479-84 — Skinner, HA; and Goldberg, A.
- Diagnostic validity of the drug abuse screening test in the assessment of DSM-III drug disorders. Br J Addict. 1989 Mar;84(3):301-7 — Gavin DR, Ross HE, Skinner HA.
