Alcohol & Addiction Assessments — Free Substance Use Screening

All 7 addiction assessments

AUDIT — Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

The most widely used and best-validated alcohol screener globally. 10 items developed by the WHO. Covers consumption (how much, how often), drinking behaviour, and alcohol-related problems. Score interpretation: 0-7 low risk, 8-15 hazardous use, 16-19 harmful use, 20+ likely dependence. Takes 5 minutes. Single best starting point for anyone questioning their alcohol use.

SOCRATES 8A — Personal Drinking Questionnaire

Measures readiness to change drinking behaviour across three stages — Recognition (acknowledging the problem), Ambivalence (mixed feelings), Taking Steps (action). Different from a severity screener — focused on motivation and stage of change. Useful before, during, or after a clinical conversation about drinking. Takes 5-10 minutes.

SOCRATES 8D — Personal Drug Use Questionnaire

The drug-use version of SOCRATES — same Recognition, Ambivalence, Taking Steps structure, applied to non-alcohol drug use. Useful for any non-alcohol substance use (cannabis, cocaine, opiates, stimulants, prescription medication misuse). Takes 5-10 minutes.

SDS — Severity of Dependence Scale

5-item brief measure of the psychological aspect of dependence — the loss of control over use, regardless of substance. Particularly useful for substances where physical dependence is less prominent (cannabis, stimulants). Takes 3-5 minutes.

LDQ — Leeds Dependence Questionnaire

10-item measure of dependence severity across substances. Useful as a tracking instrument during treatment — re-take periodically to monitor change. Slightly broader than SDS. Takes 5-10 minutes.

RCQ — Readiness to Change Questionnaire

Maps where you are in the stages-of-change model — Precontemplation (not thinking about change), Contemplation (considering change), Action (actively changing). Helpful both for self-reflection and for clinical treatment planning. Takes 5-10 minutes.

EGST — Excessive Gaming Screening Tool

Specifically measures problematic gaming patterns aligned with ICD-11 gaming disorder criteria — impaired control over gaming, prioritisation of gaming, continuation despite negative consequences. Useful for adolescents, young adults, or parents concerned about gaming-related impairment. Distinguishes enthusiastic gaming from clinically problematic patterns. Takes 5-10 minutes.

Which assessment should I take?

If…	Start with
Concerned about your alcohol use	AUDIT (start) → SOCRATES 8A (if AUDIT is elevated)
Concerned about your drug use	SOCRATES 8D → SDS (severity)
Wondering if your gaming is problematic	EGST
Already considering change, want to map where you are	RCQ
In treatment, tracking progress	SDS or LDQ periodically
A loved one's substance use	None of these are designed for assessing someone else's use — see the section below

Take more than one if multiple apply. Bring the results to a Cadabams clinician for interpretation.

Addiction is a treatable medical condition

Addiction is a treatable medical condition — not a moral failing, not a character flaw. The brain changes that drive addiction are neurological and respond to treatment. Effective treatments include:

• Motivational interviewing — clinician-led conversations that help you explore your own reasons for change without coercion
• CBT for substance use — identifies triggers, builds coping skills, prevents relapse
• Medication — naltrexone, acamprosate for alcohol; buprenorphine, methadone for opiate dependence; bupropion for some stimulant use; medication for gaming or internet disorder is less established
• Group therapy — peer support including 12-step programmes (AA, NA) and SMART Recovery
• Residential rehabilitation — for moderate-to-severe dependence; provides medical detoxification (essential for alcohol/benzodiazepine withdrawal) and intensive treatment in a structured environment
• Outpatient programmes — for mild-to-moderate dependence or after residential care

Most people benefit from a combination of these. Cadabams Group provides outpatient and residential addiction treatment in Bengaluru with services across substance categories.

Harm reduction versus abstinence

Modern addiction treatment recognises that abstinence is not the only valid goal. Harm-reduction approaches include:

• Reducing consumption — drinking less, drinking less frequently, drinking in safer contexts
• Reducing drug-related harm — safer use practices, avoiding mixing substances
• Reducing gaming impact — boundaries on time, content, contexts

For some users and some substances, abstinence is the clinically appropriate goal — particularly for severe alcohol dependence (medical risks of moderation), opiate use disorder (overdose risk), and patterns where moderation has not worked despite genuine effort. For others, controlled use is achievable and is the right target.

The choice between harm reduction and abstinence goals is made with a clinician based on your situation, history, preferences, and the substance involved. There is no shame in either choice; both are legitimate paths.

Withdrawal — when it is medically dangerous

Some withdrawal patterns require medical supervision:

• Alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous (seizures, delirium tremens) for people drinking heavily daily. Never stop abruptly without medical guidance if you have been drinking 6+ drinks daily for an extended period.
• Benzodiazepine withdrawal (Xanax, Ativan, etc.) is also medically dangerous — must be tapered under medical supervision.
• Opiate withdrawal is rarely medically dangerous but is intensely uncomfortable; medication-assisted detoxification is much easier.

For these substances, do not attempt to quit alone — speak with a Cadabams clinician about medically supervised detoxification (often a 5-7 day inpatient process).

For family members concerned about a loved one

These assessments are for self-screening. If you are concerned about a family member's substance use:

• Do not have them take a self-assessment unless they are willing
• The most effective path is usually one-on-one conversation, not confrontation
• CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) is an evidence-based approach for family members
• Cadabams clinicians provide family consultation for substance use concerns — book at the doctors directory
• Avoid common pitfalls — enabling, threats, public shaming — these typically backfire
• If you suspect overdose risk, learn naloxone use (for opiate emergencies) and have emergency numbers ready

Pair with related Mindtalk tools

• The Social Media De-Addiction Journey is the 30-day structured programme for compulsive phone and social-media use — same mechanism family, lower barrier
• For underlying anxiety or depression that often accompanies problematic use, the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 are the standard screeners
• The Emergency Reset audios (grounding, breathing) help with the acute urges that drive relapse — useful between sessions