Drug Abuse Checklist

Addiction is a very personal disease. Blood tests can determine the presence of drugs in the body, but a given drug level is not, by itself, an indication of addiction. What is addictive to one person may not be to another. There are no physical tests that can determine addiction. 

The following questions are offered as a drug abuse checklist. They are intended to help you identify if you have any drug dependency problems:

• Have you had to significantly increase the amount of a drug you are taking to achieve the desired effect or to get high?
• Are you taking a drug in larger does or for a longer period than it was intended?
• Do you have a persistent desire to cut down or control a drug use?
• Have you made an unsuccessful attempt to cut down or control a drug use?
• Do you spend a great deal of time or effort in activities needed to obtain a drug? 
• Have you stopped engaging in important social, recreational, or occupational activities due to drug use?
• Have you continued taking a drug, despite knowing that you have had persistent or recurring physical or psychological problems that are caused or worsened by the drug?
• Have you ever failed to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home due to recurrent drug use?
• Have you repeatedly taken drugs in situations in which it is physically hazardous to do so?
• Have you had recurring drug-related legal problems?
• Have you continued taking a drug despite having persistent or recurring social or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by the use of the drug?
• Have you ever visited several doctors to get the same prescription?
• Do you ever take drugs to make life more bearable?
• Have you felt frightened or vulnerable when you have tried to stop taking a drug? 
• Has your body ever started to tremble or shake when you have tried to stop taking a drug?
• Do you ever think that getting or taking a drug is more important than family and friends?
• Do you take drugs when you are upset or lonely?
• Do you take drugs to get high and have fun?
• Have you ever taken one drug to counteract the effects of another?

Signs of Addiction
Drug Abuse Check List