DAST-10 Drug Abuse Screening Test

The DAST-10 Drug Abuse Screening Test form implements the abbreviated 10-item version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test, a validated self-report instrument designed to identify individuals who may have drug use problems requiring further evaluation. Unlike alcohol-specific tools such as the CAGE or AUDIT, the DAST-10 focuses exclusively on drug use -- including prescription medication misuse, cannabis, stimulants, opioids, sedatives, and other substances (alcohol is explicitly excluded).

The ten questions assess various dimensions of drug involvement over the past 12 months: inability to stop using, blackouts or flashbacks, guilt about use, complaints from family or partners, neglecting responsibilities, engagement in illegal activities to obtain drugs, withdrawal symptoms, medical problems from use, and prior treatment seeking. Each yes response scores one point, with severity levels ranging from no problems (0), low level (1-2), moderate (3-5), substantial (6-8), to severe (9-10).

This template is suited for primary care practices conducting routine substance use screening, behavioral health and addiction treatment intakes, employee assistance programs, criminal justice diversion programs, and pain management clinics assessing opioid misuse risk. The DAST-10 is recommended by SAMHSA as part of SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) protocols and complements alcohol-specific screening tools to provide a complete substance use assessment. The form includes 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality language to protect patient substance use information.