Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)

A 10-item brief screening tool for assessing drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) in the past 12 months. Items 3 and 4 are reverse-scored in some versions; the standard DAST-10 uses Yes=1, No=0 for all items with items 3 and 4 phrased positively (e.g., 'Do you abuse more than one drug?' Yes=1). Some versions reverse-score items 4-5; we provide both options.

1. Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons?

2. Have you abused prescription medications?

3. Do you abuse more than one drug at a time?

4. Can you get through the week without using drugs?

Reverse scored: Yes=0, No=1

5. Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to?

Reverse scored: Yes=0, No=1

6. Have you had 'blackouts' or 'flashbacks' as a result of drug use?

7. Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?

8. Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs?

9. Has drug abuse created problems between you and your spouse or your parents?

10. Have you lost friends because of your use of drugs?

Note: Some implementations do not reverse-score items 4 and 5 but instead phrase them as negative statements. Ensure your scoring matches the version used locally.

Scoring Table

Parameter	Points
Standard Items	No: 0 points Yes: 1 points
Reverse Items	Yes: 0 points No: 1 points

Interpretation

Category	Score Range	Action
● No problem	0-0	No drug abuse problem identified.
● Excessive use / Low risk	1-2	Excessive use; monitor and provide brief advice.
● Mild to moderate substance use disorder	3-5	Mild/moderate disorder; recommend further assessment and counseling.
● Severe substance use disorder	6-10	Severe disorder; refer for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

References

Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). NIDA / Baylor College of Medicine (2023). https://www.bcm.edu/health-professionals/programs/addiction-psychiatry-fellowship/drug-abuse-screening-dast
The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addictive Behaviors (1982). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7252512/

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

DAST-10 screens for drug abuse excluding alcohol and tobacco; positive results require clinical follow-up.
Cultural and legal factors may influence responses to items about illegal activities.
Reverse scoring of items 4 and 5 is critical; errors in scoring will affect results.

Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)

Scoring Table

Interpretation

References

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