Addiction Assessment

There are several factors that are typically used in assessing an individual's level of addiction. These factors include:

1. Prior drug and alcohol abuse history;
2. Family history and Ethnic/Cultural background;
3. Social history;
4. Legal history;
5. Educational history;
6. Occupational history;
7. Medical history;
8. Psychological and behavioral problems.

In speaking with the individual who is addicted he will generally attribute most of his life problems to something other than his alcohol or drug addiction. Generally one has to look outside of the addict's own perception of his problems and make observations from a non-biased viewpoint to accurately assess the situation. There are several assessments tests that are self-reporting inventories that can be used to assess as to whether or not there is a problem. However, the DSM-IV offers an easy, often accurate way to determine whether there is a problem or not, the criteria for substance dependency is listed below.

Criteria for Substance Dependence

A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurs at any time in the same12 month period.

1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
   (a) A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
   (b) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
   (a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance .
   (b) The same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

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