When it comes to drug addiction, many tools are used to improve research and help the general population further understand how and why people use chemical substances. One of the most beneficial tools used is the DAST-10, or the Drug Abuse Screening Test.
According to an article on the subject published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “The DAST-10 yields a quantitative index of the degree of consequences related to drug abuse. The instrument takes approximately 5 minutes to administer and may be given in a self-report or interview format.
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What is DAST-10?
The DAST may be used in various settings to provide a quick index of drug abuse problems. The DAST-10 is a 10-item self-report instrument that has been condensed from the 28-item DAST. It was copyrighted in 1982 by Harvey Skinner, Ph.D., and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.” A person who has been engaging in drug use of any kind self-administers this test, which can be completed in as little as five minutes. They submit their answers, and the accumulated answers help major organizations like NIDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration determine nationwide patterns of drug abuse.
Why is the DAST-10 Important?
Why is the DAST-10 important, and why are tools like this implemented in the first place? First, the DAST-10 and other similar tools help us determine current drug trends, which helps tell government officials where they should be focusing their time, energy, and resources. For example, the DAST-10 suggests that heroin abuse, addiction, and overdose have become major issues throughout the U.S. Now government-funded agencies know to pour existing resources into heroin abuse prevention campaigns. Treatment center owners know to focus on providing adequate treatment services for heroin addicts and so forth. Without tools and reference points, we would be walking blindly through the addiction epidemic.
What Will the DAST-10 Tell Me?
Honestly, the DAST-10 will not tell you anything you don’t already know. Instead, it is a tool used by major corporations to help illuminate areas of the drug addiction epidemic that require attention. The data gathered also provides important statistics and trends to researchers. However, if you decide to fill out the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to notice which drugs you might be using a little too much. Have you been smoking too much marijuana? Have you been using illegal drugs in any capacity? If you have been struggling with drug use, reaching out for help is always a good idea. At Recreate Life Counseling, we are always ready and available to help in any way that we can.
Recreate Life Counseling and Drug Addiction Recovery
At Recreate Life Counseling, we help men and women of all ages and personal backgrounds overcome drug addiction and go on to lead the lives they deserve. We believe that with the right recovery program in place, people can overcome even the most severe and devastating addictive disorders. If you have been struggling with problem drug use, rest assured that you are far from alone.
There are millions of people just like you — unfortunately, the majority of these people will not end up seeking the help they so desperately need. This might be because they are unaware of the available resources or simply because they don’t believe they need to quit. As a result, many of these people end up becoming another statistic. Avoid becoming another drug addiction or overdose statistic. Instead, reach out to us today to begin your journey of comprehensive and lasting healing.