dast_10_screening: Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)

Description

Calculates the DAST-10 score, a brief 10-item screening tool used to identify drug use problems in the past 12 months. It is designed for use in clinical and non-clinical settings.

Usage

dast_10_screening(used_drugs_non_medical, abuse_multiple_drugs,
                  able_to_stop_when_wanted, blackouts_flashbacks, feel_guilty,
                  spouse_parents_complain, neglected_family, illegal_activities,
                  withdrawal_symptoms, medical_problems)

Arguments

used_drugs_non_medical	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you used drugs other than those required for medical reasons? (1 = Yes).
abuse_multiple_drugs	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you abuse more than one drug at a time? (1 = Yes).
able_to_stop_when_wanted	Numeric (0 or 1). Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to? (1 = Yes, 0 = No). **Note: "No" scores 1 point.**
blackouts_flashbacks	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you had "blackouts" or "flashbacks" as a result of drug use? (1 = Yes).
feel_guilty	Numeric (0 or 1). Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use? (1 = Yes).
spouse_parents_complain	Numeric (0 or 1). Does your spouse (or parents) ever complain about your involvement with drugs? (1 = Yes).
neglected_family	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you neglected your family because of your use of drugs? (1 = Yes).
illegal_activities	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you engaged in illegal activities in order to obtain drugs? (1 = Yes).
withdrawal_symptoms	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs? (1 = Yes).
medical_problems	Numeric (0 or 1). Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding)? (1 = Yes).

Value

A list containing:

DAST_10_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-10).
Severity_Level	Interpretation (No problems, Low, Moderate, Substantial, Severe).
Suggested_Action	Clinical recommendation based on the severity level.

References

Skinner HA. The drug abuse screening test. Addict Behav. 1982;7(4):363-371. doi:10.1016/0306-4603(82)90005-3

Examples

# Example 1: Substantial Problem
# Used drugs, Multiple drugs, Can't stop (0), Guilt, Complaints, Withdrawal
# Score = 1+1+1+0+1+1+0+0+1+0 = 6
dast_10_screening(1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0)

# Example 2: Low Level
# Used drugs only
# Score = 1
dast_10_screening(1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.