Drug Dependency Test

Although each client may exhibit a unique pattern of addiction, he or she will manifest three or more of the symptoms listed below.

1. Excessive or inappropriate use of alcohol (or other substances): For example, getting high on cocaine or other drugs or getting drunk on alcohol and not being able to fulfill obligations at home, at work, or with others; feeling as if cocaine or other substances are needed to fit in with others or function at work or at home; or driving under the influence of substances.
2. Preoccupation with getting or using chemicals: For example, living mainly to get high on cocaine, other drugs, and/or alcohol; making substance use too important in life; or being obsessed with using cocaine or other substances.
3. Change in one’s tolerance for addictive substances: For example, needing more cocaine or other substances to get high.
4. Having trouble reducing or abstaining from cocaine or other substance use: For example, not being able to control how much or how often one uses cocaine or other substances or using more cocaine or other substances than planned.
5. Withdrawal symptoms: For example, getting sick physically, including having the shakes, feeling nauseous, having gooseflesh, having a runny nose, etc., once one cuts down or stops using cocaine or other substances; or experiencing mental symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or agitation.
6. Using substances to avoid or stop withdrawal symptoms: For example, using cocaine or other substances to prevent withdrawal sickness or drinking or using drugs to stop withdrawal symptoms once they’ve started.
7. Using cocaine or other substances even though they cause problems in one’s life: For example, not taking a doctor’s, therapist’s, or other professional’s advice to stop using because of problems substances have caused in one’s life.
8. Giving up important activities or losing friendships because of cocaine or other substance use: For example, discontinuing participation in activities that once were important, giving up friends who don’t get high, losing friends because of how cocaine or other substance use affects relationships with others.
9. Stopping cocaine or other substance use for a period of time (days, weeks, or months), only to begin again: For example, promising to quit using cocaine or other substances only to begin getting high again or being unable to remain abstinent from cocaine or other drugs.
10. Getting into trouble because of cocaine or other substance use: For example, losing jobs or being unable to find a job, getting arrested or having other legal problems; sabotaging relationships or having trouble with family or friends, or having money problems because of cocaine or other substance use.

Because addiction is a disease that involves losing control of cocaine and other substance use, addicted individuals often enter treatment feeling demoralized and out of control. They enter a treatment program to help them regain control of their lives. Thus, treatment must provide a safe, structured environment through regular, frequent contact with the treatment staff.