Do I have a drug problem? Only you can
answer this question. This may not be an easy thing to do. All through
our usage, we told ourselves, "I can handle it." Even
if this was true in the beginning, it may not be so now.
The following questions were written by
recovering addicts in Narcotics Anonymous and may be helpful in
determining if you have a drug problem or are addicted, regardless
of your "drug of choice"
On completion of this assessment, view your results
below.
NO.
QUESTION
YES
NO
1
Do you ever use alone?
2
Have you ever substituted one drug for another,
thinking that one particular drug were the problem?
3
Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor
to obtain prescription drugs?
4
Have you ever stolen
drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?
5
Do you regularly use a drug when you wake
up or when you go to bed?
6
Have you ever taken one drugs to overcome
the effects of another?
7
Do you avoid people and places that do not
approve of you using drugs?
8
Have you ever used a drug without knowing
what it was or what it would do for you?
9
Has your job or school performance ever suffered
from the effects of your drug use?
10
Have you ever been arrested as a result of
using drugs?
11
Have you ever lied about what or how much
you use?
12
Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of
your financial responsibilities?
13
Have you ever tried to stop or control your
using?
14
Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or
ashamed about your using?
15
Does using interfere with your sleeping or
eating?
16
Does the thought of running out of drugs
terrify you?
17
Do you feel it is impossible for you to live
without drugs?
18
Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?
19
Have you ever thought you couldn't fit in
or have a good time without drugs?
20
Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?
DRUG ASSESSMENT RESULTS if you
answer YES to...
Two of these questions...
Be aware that you are at high
risk for the development of chemical dependency.
Three of these questions...
You have a problem with substance
abuse. See if you can stop using any mood-altering chemical for
90 days. If you have difficulty with this, you may already be
chemically dependent.
Four or more of these questions...
You already have many of the critical
symptoms of chemical dependence. You should make an appointment
for you to see a chemical dependency professional for a more in
depth assessment and for counseling and treatment recommendations.
You need to completely abstain from all mood-altering drugs but
you will need help to do this.
